Volume One Issue #415 Sep. 10, 2020

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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FREE

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VOLUMEONE.ORG

Today, a new Volume One takes flight

CULTURE | COMMUNITY | NEWS | ARTS | LIFE | FOOD | EVENTS

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Issue # 416 • September 10, 2020

Owner + Publisher + Creative Director

Office / Store 205 N. Dewey Street Downtown Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715) 552-0457

Nick Meyer nick@volumeone.org ext: 214

Editorial + Content MANAGING EDITOR

Eric Christenson eric@volumeone.org ext: 218

About Us

THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY’S LEADING INDEPENDENTLY-OWNED COMMUNITY VOICE

Staff Notes

MANAGING EDITOR

Tom Giffey tom@volumeone.org ext: 221

A Long-Awaited Welcome to The New Volume One

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Rebecca Mennecke rebecca@volumeone.org ext: 261 LISTINGS EDITOR

James Johonnott james@volumeone.org ext: 215

Advertising + Digital Marketing MEDIA STRATEGY DIRECTOR

Brian Maki brian@volumeone.org ext: 211

SR. MEDIA STRATEGIST

Chase Kunkel chase@volumeone.org ext: 213

SR. MEDIA STRATEGIST

Neil Hodorowski neil@volumeone.org ext: 212

Video + Photo + Design VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Joel Pearish joel@volumeone.org ext: 260

WEB DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN

Don Ross don@volumeone.org ext: 219

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Mackenzie Slattery mackenzie@volumeone.org ext: 220 GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Taylor McCumber taylor@volumeone.org ext: 222 PHOTO EDITOR

Andrea Paulseth andrea@volumeone.org ext: 2XX

Events + Tickets EVENT DIRECTOR

Michelle Rowekamp michelle@volumeone.org ext: 259

FROM VOLUME ONE MANAGING EDITOR ERIC CHRISTENSON

UNTIL TODAY, THE LOOK OF THIS MAGAZINE HAD BEEN BASICALLY THE SAME SINCE 2006.

2006, y’all! That’s when that movie The Da Vinci Code came out. Soulja Boy’s “Crank That” was a big hit that year. I was 16 years old.

Not all things that are around that long stand the test of time. “Crank That” is an exception, of course, and so is Volume One. Over the last 18 years, people have used this magazine to learn all about stuff in the Chippewa Valley, like new businesses opening up, artists doing their thing, upcoming events and gatherings to check out, and one-of-a-kind people telling one-of-akind stories. For the community, by the community. Function over flash.

I started working at Volume One in 2014 and even then we were talking about redesigning the mag. The old design looked good enough and it functioned pretty well, so throwing that all aside to re-imagine something fresh seemed like an increasingly impossible task, nothing short of Herculean. The years passed with mounting projects

and investments in other spheres – tons of community events, The Local Store, video production, and more. So a huge, floor-to-ceiling undertaking like redesigning the magazine was easy to put on the back-burner to favor more immediate needs.

Then 2020 happened.

For what it’s worth, the redesign project was high on the list of our annual goals in January (just like it was in the many Januarys before it) before a global pandemic and related events created the pause that made us completely rethink literally everything we do here (which you can read more about from our owner and publisher on the next spread).

While this year has been painful and poignant in so many ways, it also gave us a glimmer of an opportunity to take on this project clear-headed and focused.

So that’s what you see here. Our refreshed vision for how a community can build itself up on the pages of a magazine and with words on a website.

We’re really proud to help make that happen in new and exciting ways, no matter what, as long as we possibly can.

We hope you’ll go along with us.

Retail + Gallery Lindsey Quinnies lindsey@volumeone.org ext: 217

OFFICE MANAGER / BOOKKEEPER

Andy Norrish andy@volumeone.org ext: 224

VOLUMEONE.ORG

SOCIAL MEDIA

EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

Exclusive online content and digital goodness await you at VolumeOne.org. Visit our website for our robust online events calendar, videos, interactive content, comments, discussion, and much much more.

Our social media feeds are filled to the brim with breaking news, exclusive content, timely promotions, visuals, videos, and more fun stuff. Across platforms, Volume One brings the best stuff right to your feed.

Stay up-to-date, discover cool events, and learn about promotions, giveaways, and so much more by signing up for our email newsletters. There are seven different lists, sign up at VolumeOne.org.

DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS

Josh Ranft + Tom Jannusch + Matt Novacek + Daniel Wewasson

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/VolumeOne

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

@VolumeOne

@VolumeOne

You can support Volume One with a membership, subscription, or by shopping at The Local Store. Visit VolumeOne.org/membership for options, or call (715) 552-0457.

For annual subscriptions of 26 issues and special publications, mail a check for $65 (covering postage) to the address above.

Advertising Info For information about ad rates & sizes in print or online, or about digital marketing including email, video, or social media and more, email: advertising@volumeone.org or call (715) 552-0457.

Partner Content Volume One occasionally partners with local organizations to create content in print and online that may be of interest to thousands of readers throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond. Articles or videos created “in partnership” are sponsored by the partnering organization and may be created with their assistance or expertise, for informational and/ or promotional purposes. Any content created in this way – which comprises less than 2% of the pages Volume One publishes each year – will always include “Partner Content” indication.

Contributors + Submissions If you’d like to become an occasional or regular contributor, please email tom@volumeone.org. There are opportunities for paid writing, photography, and cover art, though most contributions are unpaid. We also welcome the submission of ideas or completed works from the community for publication consideration.

Internships are available for a number of exciting and interesting positions including writing/editing, photography, sales/marketing, illustration, and more.

LOCAL STORE STAFF

Office + Distribution

Memberships + Subscriptions

Internships

V1 Online

LOCAL STORE DIRECTOR

Haley Asuma + Elise Chapin + Maggie Israel + Mackenzie Kapral + Bonni Knight + Hannah Martinson + Matt Novacek + Soren Staff

Volume One is the leading locally owned, locally operated, and locally focused media organization in our market. We’re a collection of print and online publications; a video, design, and digital marketing company; an event production and ticketing company; and a mission-driven retail operation. In print we typically distribute 13,000 copies to 500+ locations in Eau Claire, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, and other communities 26 times/year. Online at VolumeOne.org we garner nearly 5 million annual pageviews, have a weekly email network of more than 30,000 people, and we connect daily with another 30,000 on social media.

/VolumeOneMag

© 2020 Contributed writing, artwork, and photography in Volume One remains the property of the authors, artists, & photographers. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publication or its advertisers.

ASSOC IATION OF ALTER N ATIVE N EWSMEDIA

“

t f E u i t a a o a d

LUC ANTHONY

YIA LOR didn’t know

WRITER

WRITER

Contributors unicorn farms existed until her niece asked to go to one.

considers mustard and Secret Stadium Sauce the only truly acceptable condiments to put on bratwurst.

is a UWEC alumni and professional illustrator living in St. Paul with his wife and two daughters. Clients include Artful Living Magazine, Surly Brewing, Target, Men’s Health Magazine, and more.

JULIE QUINN broke INTERN

COVER ARTIST

MICHAEL IVER JACOBSEN

out her fall decorations at midnight on Sept.

1 and yes, she has already had too many pumpkin spice lattes.

WRITER

has grown to enjoy the company of their cat, themself and their bottles of whiskey during these trying times.

INTERN

EVA PAULUS is takin’

this horse by the reins, makin’ Redcoats redder with bloodstains.

WRITER

PATTI SEE would

take another summer.

Who’s with me?

MIKE PAULUS be-

INTERN

WRITER

WRITER

ILLUSTRATOR

COLUMNIST

+ KESSA ALBRIGHT

lieves in the power of a well-buttered slice of cinnamon raisin toast

* PARKER REED has

to constantly fight the urge to change his middle name to “Can’t.”

HAYLEY JACOBSON

has too much of an obsession with candles. They just smell so good.

BARBARA ARNOLD

is feeling mixed emotions from elation to sadness.

EVELYN NELSON

isn’t too fond of oat milk, after a recently upsetting incident.

BRIANA NOVACEK

WRITER

WRITER

CAITLIN BOYLE is

is currently losing in a battle with ragweed.

tired of the heat and ready for pretty colors, sweaters, pumpkins and football! Mother Nature cannot mess it up!

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS: Catey Leondardson, Kyle Lehman, Taylor Smith, Allie Emerson, Alee Erickson, Frank H. Robinson + NEW CONTRIBUTOR

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* BIO OF THE FORTNIGHT

On The Cover “Reimagine, Relaunch” by Michael Iver Jacobsen • From the artist: “It was a privilege to do the first cover artwork for the ‘new look’ of Volume One. I was in school at UWEau Claire when this publication first began. I contributed some artwork for covers early on and did original illustrations for several of the short stories published in the early years. I really enjoy drawing people, buildings, and lately landscapes, so this illustration seems to cover all of the bases for me and the community, depicting a bit of Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie. It was an opportunity to show the Chippewa Valley community doing something fun and artistic in the outdoors.” | SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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Relaunch

A Re-Introduction

MEETING THE MOMENT: A NEW VOLUME ONE MANIFESTO IN A HISTORIC AND CHALLENGING YEAR, VOLUME ONE MOVES FORWARD TO RETHINK, REDESIGN,& RELAUNCH OUR FLAGSHIP PUBLICATION WITH INVIGORATED COMMUNITY SUPPORT words by publisher

nick meyer •

WE ALL KNOW IT – AND I’M SORRY, MOM, BUT THERE’S NO OTHER APPROPRIATE WAY TO SAY IT – THIS IS A SHIT YEAR. For so many of us, 2020 is testing our careers, our businesses, our relationships, our children, our schools, our biases, our sanity, and our very understanding of society.

But with these tests comes a ripening potential for deep and meaningful change – personally, professionally, culturally – you name it. The events of this year have further unmasked the instability, inequity, and fragility present within many of the most import-

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illustrations by

mike jacobsen

ant societal systems we all count on every day.

Healthcare, education, childcare, work, supply chains, food – they’re all experiencing a seismic shaking on an order not seen in quite some time.

Sadly, the Chippewa Valley is not immune, and neither is Volume One. As a small local media organization with roughly two dozen employees and a revenue model based largely on advertising and events, Volume One – like so many media organizations across the country – has seen a frightening last six months. Local businesses were hurting, and that automatically meant we were, too. So while doing everything we could to help – using our resources to tell the stories of (and rally attention

for) affected non-profits, businesses, and individuals, as well as offering financial assistance for their marketing efforts – we asked our readers for some help of our own. We launched the Volume One Membership Program. And wow, did this community answer that call.

It didn’t take long for nearly 1,000 Chippewa Valley families to step up and support our efforts in this community with membership purchases ranging from $25 to $500. Meanwhile, thousands more shopped our retail offerings online at TheLocalStore.org (and later in-store, too).

Hundreds of loyal business and organizational partners found value in continuing to work with us as much as they could for advertising, marketing, video production, and more. Then, with these winds in our sails, we were able to land substantive (and honestly noteasy-to-get) national-level pandemic grant support from the Google News Initiative and the Facebook Journalism Project.

Now we were making lemonade.

It was a wave of mission-based backing – rooted in our own community – that brought into focus the sense of responsibility we have to keep making investments in what we do and how we do it. We couldn’t wither and cut back – we had to lean in and improve.

We had to take this opportunity to make our own meaningful changes. So we took our bit of “downtime” and got to work.

I T WA S A WAV E

SO TODAY, WHILE MANY CHALLENGES CLEARLY STILL LIE AHEAD, and the work doesn’t stop here, we’re ready to unveil a whole new approach to Volume One and what it can mean to this community. Starting with this issue, we’ve made seven major updates building toward a stronger future:

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IMPROVED QUALITY & DESIGN for both PRINT & DIGITAL

We’ve tweaked the size of the publication, overhauled and updated page designs and styles, partnered with a high-tech Wisconsinbased printer, and upgraded our paper quality to make content and ads look better and sharper. At the same time, we’ve revamped the look, functionality, and interactivity of our website for both mobile and desktop devices at VolumeOne. org – go take a look!

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BAS E D BAC K I N G T H AT B R O U G H T INTO FOCUS

RE-IMAGINED & EXPANDED CONTENT FLOW

We’ve launched six new themed sections to every issue in print and every day online, which you’ll find across the following pages and on our site at VolumeOne.org – Voice, Community, Arts, Life, Features, and Events+Guides. Each of these themes has new focused editorial leadership to improve the depth and breadth of coverage of the Chippewa Valley in these areas, including more news and opinion than ever before.

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OF MISSION-

DEEPER INVESTMENT in LOCAL CREATIVES & LOCAL CONTENT

Contributions from the community have always been at the heart of Volume One, and now we’re digging deeper to make it an even stronger part of our future. This fall we’re introducing new print, digital, and video content featuring local contributors, and increasing pay for key local stuff like feature stories, impactful opinions, photo essays, videos, and more. This publication is by, about, and for the Chippewa Valley with 99.9% locally created content – and it’s going to stay that way.

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FURTHER ELEVATION of DIVERSE VOICES

We’ve made modest strides in recent years with added coverage and inclusion of diverse voices from our community. But the events of this year clearly demonstrated more could be done. To elevate needed discussions across the Chippewa Valley and beyond, we’ve expanded coverage and inclusion of the BIPOC community by launching recurring paid columns and multimedia content featuring diverse voices and faces from across the region.

THE SENSE OF

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RESPONSIBILITY

ENHANCED MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCES

We’re pushing the best content forward – impactful videos, events, stories, and more – on desktop and mobile, all available with one touch right from your phone’s home screen, and offered to you on social media every day. We’re upgrading the online, interactive experience of our feature stories. We’re taking our sizable video production abilities (thus far mostly utilized by clients) and creating more video content of our own to share. And we’re finally launching Volume One’s first-ever podcast – expect upbeat monthly installments featuring key local topics, engaging and insightful guests, and the varied voices of local writers, talkers, and pontificators.

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NEW INTEREST-BASED EVENT LISTINGS

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SOPHISTICATED DIGITAL MARKETING for LOCAL BRANDS

Clearly we’re in an odd time for community events, but we’re still publishing the Valley’s best calendar of (virtual and IRL) events in print, and online at VolumeOne.org.

It’s core to what we do. You’ll now see a visually condensed calendar of events with quick-hit descriptions, gathered by interest/topic each day (creating faster browsing for what you’re into), as well as more curated local event collections.

Online you’ll find even more info with fully searchable topics, in-depth event descriptions, photos, links, and more.

In addition to serving readers, we needed to invest in serving our clients and financial supporters. With that in mind we’ve partnered with one of the most sophisticated technology and digital advertising platforms out there, to make impactful digital marketing available to even the smallest local organizations. Now our clients can not only advertise and promote through our publications, web channels, and events, but we can work together to elevate local brands to anyone anywhere on nearly any platform or device including national-level websites, search engines, social media, streaming television and radio, and really much more.

W E H AV E T O KEEP MAKING INVESTMENTS IN W H AT V O L U M E O N E D O E S A N D H OW WE’RE WORKING HARD TO KEEP OUR ORGANIZATION STRONG and healthy

W E D O I T.

during a difficult time through these efforts and others, building a better Volume One for our readers, our clients, and our community. But it hasn’t been easy. Our normal revenues for issues of the magazine in print and online have been down as much as 50% at times. And that’s scary.

While investments – not cost cutting – has been our main strategy, saving money where we can is prudent. So while the pandemic grinds on, and at least through the end of this year, Volume One will publish in print every three weeks instead of the usual two weeks. That means we can save on printing costs, it means members of our staff can stay home some days to help support their kids and families as schools are partially closed, and it means we can include more content in each issue you pick up. But of course we’ll still be online with the latest every day at VolumeOne.org, and in your social feeds (add us in your settings to “show up first!”). We’ll never be far away.

All in all, we’re thrilled for this new chapter of Volume One, and we hope you are too. If you’d like to be part of our future by becoming a member, visit VolumeOne.org/membership.

And thank you for reading, for sticking with us, and for your support in whatever form that may take. If you have any thoughts or feedback, I welcome it directly to me at nick@volumeone.org – we can always hear about how we could do better.

Hang in there this year.

Keep your head up. Do what you can, and let go of what you can’t. As they say, this too shall pass. And eventually this community will bounce back in a big way.

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HEARKEN BACK TO A SIMPLER TIME. At Revival Records in Eau Claire, record shoppers mask up and flip through music the old school way.

Voice

PHOTO BY ALEE ERICKSON

Thoughts

People

High-Five

A SOCIALLY-DISTANCED SUMMER ABOARD THE PATTI BARGE

A ONE-ON-ONE CHAT WITH LIBRARY DIRECTOR PAMELA WESTBY

WEIRD ANIMALS YOU WON’T BELIEVE ACTUALLY LIVE IN WISCONSIN

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THOUGHTS • PEOPLE • LOCAL STUFF • NUMBERS • QUOTES | SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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Voice

Thoughts

NOTHING HAPPENED AND EVERYTHING DID SOCIALLY-DISTANT REFLECTIONS FROM ABOARD THE PATTI BARGE words by

HOW WILL WE REMEMBER THE SUMMER OF 2020: a time when nothing happened or everything did? Here on Lake Hallie it was our summer of social distancing on a “party barge” – an oxymoron, I know. I came to own a 24-foot pontoon the same way I acquired my first pair of jeans and my first car: hand-me-down.

This summer my 1987 Sun Tracker has been the go-to gathering place for family and friends, just a few at a time. My husband calls it the “Patti Barge.” Guests sit on the front benches and Bruce and I sit at the other end, well over six feet apart.

We are both in vulnerable groups, a phrase that meant nothing to me five months ago, like that other expression I’ve come to despise: the new normal. The Chippewa Valley was on a coronavirus pause through May, and by June we hit “play” again. We often get together with folks who take similar pre-cautions. Quick trips to grocery or drug stores with faces covered.

My asthmatic sister and her grandson picnic and fish on the pontoon.

The high school friend I see once a year gets dropped off for an afternoon booze cruise for two.

I feel safe hosting simply

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patti see •

illustration by

lydia noble

and rebel groups, Dengue Fever and because of the pontoon’s size. armed conflict in the streets, paraBefore Bruce’s son visits us, Noah sitic worms. As a mother, I have my goes for a COVID-19 swab within own list. No matter how old our chilan hour of arriving in Eau Claire dren, if we can name the threats we from the Democratic Republic of may keep them away. the Congo, where he lives. Two days A few weeks ago later: negative test my nephew and his results. Bruce holds pregnant wife visited Noah in a bear hug for a pontoon ride. A and says, “No, I’m first baby is an excitnot letting go.”

A S W E C H U G ing but scary time Noah comes for everyone. In the home about every six ALONG LAKE midst of a pandemic? months, but this trip Really frightening. we feel especially HALLIE, NOAH Twenty-nine sumfortunate to have him mers ago, four days here. Since March S AY S , “ I T ’ S after bringing my son he has been isolating home from the hosin a compound with WEIRD JUST TO pital, Jeffrey Dahmer his wife, a United arrested. While Nations migration B E ” – H E P A U S E S was I held my newborn official in charge of close, I watched coronavirus relief for AND LOOKS those unimaginable the Congo, a country unfold on the that vigilantly fights A R O U N D – “ O U T. ” horrors nightly news, a lesson Ebola outbreaks. in how bliss and devAs we chug along astation coexist in Lake Hallie, Noah the world, as they always have. says, “It’s weird just to be” – he pausTonight before Mitch and Abby es and looks around – “out.” He talks arrive, Bruce warns me we are for an hour straight. not cruising far from home with a Bruce has taught me that we woman who is almost nine months can’t constantly worry over adult along. He gets his wish. My outchildren. Still he tells me the litany board is wonky, so the four of us sit of dangers he thinks about for Noah: on the pontoon docked in front of measles and kidnapping, malaria

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

our house – a little like camping in the backyard but still fun. We have drinks and watch the eagles dive into Lake Hallie for their dinner.

I hand Abby the baby card I made with pictures of infant Mitch and a childhood one of his dad (my brother) and his grandfather (my dad).

Earlier today I looked through my jumble of old photographs and considered what was going on in the world for these four generations of See’s. The Great Depression, four wars, a polio epidemic, assassinations of leaders, the Civil Rights Movement. There were many other terrors and struggles, but like most Americans my family posed for the camera, then carried on.

So it was 102 years ago. Some babies born during or just after the 1918 Influenza Epidemic later became great influencers: Jackie Robinson and JD Salinger, Eva Gabor and Nat King Cole, Pete Seeger and Ann Landers, Katherine Johnson and Billy Graham. A few are still kicking at 101 years old: Environmentalist James Lovelock, actor Nehemiah Persoff, and film producer Anne Buydens.

Every day the world as we knew it seems to fall apart a little bit more, still Mitch and Abby’s Griffin David See (and many other babies like him) made his way here anyway.

Things We Learned While Making the Mag

Thoughts

3 THINGS WE LOVE RIGHT NOW

sept. 9, 2020

If you want to start an argument at a family d i n n e r, t a l k a b o u t p o l i t i c s or religion. If you want to start an argument in t h e Vo l u m e O n e e d i t o r i a l department, talk about proper hyphen placement.

TIK TOKS, CUTE KIDDOS, AND CREATIVE MASKS

–Tom Giffey

A bunch of tired, blinking faces staring back at the b o s s t h r o u g h a n 8:3 0 a m Z o o m call isn’t really the future of Vo l u m e O n e I h o p e f o r.

–Nick Meyer

Now is not the time to mention your least favorite co l o r i s ye l l ow.

–Rebecca Mennecke

I was able to scale a climbing wall, camera in t o w, t o c a p t u r e t h e f u l l experience.

–Andrea Paulseth

There’s never enough time to do it right the first time, but just enough time to do it right the third time.

Perhaps because the third time is a charm, eh?

–Brian Maki

WE MIGHT BE A BUNCH OF OLD MILLENNIALS HERE AT V1, but that doesn’t stop us from appreciating the hip new Tik Tok account that the Heyde Center for the Arts has created (@heydecenter) to spread joy, music, and arts during pandemic times. With groovin’ moves, these youthful Tik Toks bring the arts right to your home. Although it’s all for fun, Executive Director Deb Johnson says it’s a great way to keep the Heyde Center in your heart while they are closed for most events and performances.

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NOTHING SAYS WHOLESOME QUITE LIKE LOCAL KIDDOS sending letters and artwork to local nursing homes, friends, and families as a way to spread joy during pandemic times, but that’s what several kids who were featured in Chippewa Valley Family’s “10 Under 10 feature” in the September/October issue did to cheer others up.

Julie Chojnacki, pictured above, colored about 30 beautiful pictures to send to a nursing home.

She loves to give big hugs and say, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

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FACE MASKS MIGHT BE A SIGN OF A NEW NORMAL, but that doesn’t mean they have to be “normal.” In fact, the weirder, the better. Every day when you take a look around – at the grocery store, while taking your dog for a walk, while having a socially distant hang – you see the personality of everyone shining through their bright, colorful, patterned – and yes, sometimes a little weird – face masks.

Bonus points for creativity! We love folks finding fun during unprecedented times.

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Crunching The Numbers

Notable Stats + Figures from the Last Few Weeks

377

104

825

46%

The number of new residential units built in the city of Eau Claire last year. That was a 50% increase from the previous year and the city’s highest total since 2002.

The number of single family homes built last year in the city, more than in any year since 2006. Forty-one were on the west side, more than in any other area of the city.

As of Sept. 1, the number of positive COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Eau Claire County since the pandemic began. This was a 70% increase from a month earlier.

The share of Eau Claire residents with positive COVID-19 diagnoses who are between the ages of 20 and 29. Statewide, only 25% of cases were among that age group.

S OURCE S : C I T Y OF E AU C L AI RE 2 0 1 9 DE V E L OPM E NT M AP A N D R EP O R T, W IS C O N S IN D EP A R TM EN T O F H EA L TH S ER V IC ES .

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People

Name: Pamela Westby What place in town considers you a “regular”? Just Local Food Co-op.

QUESTIONING

What’s the most positive local development since you moved here? The renaissance of renewal in downtown Eau Claire with the opening of The Lismore, the Pablo Center, and new businesses, sparking a sense of positive energy and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit.

THE LOCALS

What frustrates you about the Chippewa Valley? I hope we can

FREE-WHEELIN’ DISCUSSION WITH LOCAL FOLKS

create a more diverse and inclusive community, where everyone can feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

PAMELA WESTBY

What is one of the best cultural experiences you’ve ever had in the Valley? My favorite cultural

LOVES THE OUTDOOR

experiences (especially over the last year) include a concert at Pablo starring Them Coulee Boys, impromptu conversations at the library with poet Max Garland, an author reading with Emily Anderson at The Plus, and a Chippewa Valley Book Festival event at Forage featuring B.J. Hollars.

OPPORTUNITIES THE MIDWEST OFFERS – from swimming to fishing to skiing – and she dabbles in photography and figure drawing, but locals know

What is your favorite piece of local trivia? Hands down, my favorite

her best as the director

local trivia is that Pauline Phillips (aka Abigail Van Buren) and Esther Lederer (aka Ann Landers), the sisters who wrote nationally syndicated advice columns, both once called Eau Claire home. As a young girl, I read their columns.

of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in

PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

Eau Claire. Westby, who is helping to lead the library’s Story Builder

I H O P E W E C A N C R E AT E A M O R E D I V E R S E

fundraising campaign, talked to Volume One about what’s on her per-

A N D I N C L U S I V E C O M M U N I T Y, W H E R E E V E R Y O N E C A N F E E L VA L U E D A N D H AV E A S E N S E O F B E L O N G I N G .

sonal best-seller list.

What book, TV show, or movie would you recommend to the members of the City Council?

Book: Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg (subtitle: “How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life”).

Movie: The Public.

Pamela’s Shoutouts “ T H E G O AT C O F F E E H O U S E ” This Water Street ma i nstay recently got a facelift.

The city has adopted a goal of being carbonneutral and getting 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050.

“MILDRED AND BRIAN LARSON” Eau Claire couple involved in countless community activities.

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| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

“THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE’S F O C U S O N S U S TA I N A B L E E N E R G Y. ”

!

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High-Five

DESIGNED BY CREAZILLA / CREATIVE COMMONS

5 Weird Animals You Won’t Believe Actually Live in Wisconsin words by

SLENDER GLASS LIZARD. The bizarre beastie’s name is a misnomer: While slender, it’s definitely not made of glass.

Weirdest of all, it’s legless, but it isn’t classified as a snake: These lizards evolved separately from other slithery reptiles. If you see one, consider yourself lucky – slender glass lizards are endangered in Wisconsin.

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PEACH BLOSSOM JELLYFISH. If you’re surprised to learn we have jellyfish in Wisconsin, you’re not alone. These tiny (1-inch in diameter) freshwater hydrozoans are originally from China, but they’ve spread to nearly every corner of the world and were first found in Wisconsin in 1969. Technically they’re invasive, but they don’t seem to cause any harm. (At least they can’t sting humans.)

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tom giffey MUDPUPPY. These rarely-seen amphibians like to keep to themselves under rocks or mud in Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers.

Mudpuppies are a kind of salamander, and they can get up to 16 inches long. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, “their size, bizarre external gills, and extremely slimy skin may startle an angler who inadvertently hooks one.” Be careful out there, fisherfolk!

EASTERN SPOTTED SKUNK. Imagine a typical striped skunk. Now shrink it and stir up those stripes until they resembled blobs of white spread across the creature’s body.

This curious animal is an eastern spotted skunk. (And before you ask: Yes, it sprays, too.) While it was last seen decades ago in Wisconsin, a couple of spotted skunk sightings emerged this summer, leading to speculation they are coming back.

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SALAMANDER MUSSEL. These small, shelled critters aren’t much to look at, but their life cycle is truly unique: They’re the only freshwater mussel to use something other than a fish as a host. Salamander mussel larvae attach themselves to (you guessed it) salamanders – specifically mudpuppies – which gives mudpuppies a few extra weirdness points.

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People

Notable + Quotable H E A R D A R O U N D T H E C H I P P E WA VA L L E Y THIS IS A PEACEFUL D E M O N S T R AT I O N , AND I RESPECT T H AT. I D O BELIEVE PEACE IS

–JIM SWANSON, Menomonie school board member, in comments directed at board president David Styer at an Aug. 10 meeting about physical distancing in the district’s reopening plan. The board later voted 5-4 to censure Swanson and asked him to resign, and a recall petition is now circulating. Quoted in the Dunn County News on Aug. 14.

THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF C O M B AT I N G H AT R E D . B U T I MUST ADMIT I AM NO LONGER FEELING VERY PEACEFUL .

–DAVID CARLSON, Eau Claire County regional organizer for the ACLU’s Rights for All Campaign, during a Aug. 29 demonstration in Eau Claire calling for justice for Jacob Blake, who was shot by Kenosha police.

Quoted by WEAU 13 News on Aug. 29.

I’m not going to let him distort the facts and lie about what I’m saying.

He’s deflecting … f*** you.

You’re a f****** dictator. It’s bulls***.

At their best, newspapers are inevitably a reflection of the communities they serve.

We have to be. Our whole purpose is to reflect what is happening in the cities and towns we serve. If they change, we do too.

–MATT MILNER, new editor of the Leader-Telegram, in an Aug. 9 editorial, published in the newspaper’s last-ever Sunday edition.

Thoughts

THE COMMENT SECTION C H O I C E WO R D S F R O M OU R S O C I A L F E E D S “ I l o o ke d t h r o u g h a l l t h e photos and I didn’t see any looting or burning of b u i l d i n g s , ye t I w a s a s s u r e d that was what going to h a p p e n by c o m m e n t e r s h e r e .

I ‘ m s u r e t h ey w i l l a l l b e b a c k here shortly to apologize for mischaracterizing their f e l l ow r e s i d e n t s .”

LESLIE MENDEZ Comment on photos of an Aug. 29 march in Eau Claire protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha (via Facebook).

“Clearly this person has not b e e n t o t h e s h o r e s o f L a ke Superior or Michigan. Our beaches are just as grand a n d t h e r e a r e n o s h a r ks o r j e l l y f i s h s o p e r h a p s t h ey a r e b e t t e r.”

SAMANTHA PEARSON In response to a column titled “Love the Beach You’re With,” about the differences between summer days at the beach in the Midwest and East Coast (via Facebook).

“ H ow m a n y i c e c r e a m j o i n t s c a n E C s u p p o r t ? G u e s s we w i l l f i n d o u t .”

SHANE ABING

“ we l l c o n s i d e r i n g h ow m a n y b a r s t h ey h ave s u p p o r t e d . . .”

ELIZABETH KAY A discussion of the viability of the dessertdriven economy on an article about 44 Below in Altoona headlined “Anything Is Popsicle at New Local Ice Cream Parlor” (via Facebook).

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Community

GIMME SOME SPACE. Students began going back to school, including Memorial High School, on Sept.

1. In the Eau Claire district, students have been divided into cohorts, with most attending in-person classes just two days a week to reduce the number of people indoors. Other steps have been taken to maintain physical distancing as well, such as spacing out desks for a lunch room in Memorial’s gym.

PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

News

Neighbors

Business

VALLEY HOUSING MARKET HEATS UP FOR THE SUMMER

THE CYCLE OF SEASONS IN A HMONG GARDEN

FORAGE FINDS A NEW HOME IN DOWNTOWN EAU CLAIRE

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NEWS • DEVELOPMENT • BUSINESS • NON-PROFITS • NEIGHBORS • WISCONSIN COMMUNITY EDITOR: TOM GIFFEY

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tom@volumeone.org

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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.ORG

Water Street Makes a Splash With Business, Building Changes words by

2 7 % I NC RE ASE

200 NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD

News

Increase in July Home Sales

186

2 5 % I NC RE ASE

150

147 100

124

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0 EAU CLAIRE COUNTY

CHIPPEWA COUNTY

DUNN COUNTY

Housing

SOUR C E: W I SC ONSI N RE AL T ORS ASSOC I AT I ON

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21% IN C R EA S E

Median sale price in Eau Claire County, a 24% increase from the same time last year.

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evelyn nelson

WITH NEW RETAIL BUSINESSES OPEN AND THE REMODELING OF OLD FAVORITES, the Water Street district has been in a state of flux over the past few months. Some changes include a Kwik Trip convenience store (where you can fill up on Karuba Gold, but not gas – there aren’t any pumps) on the ground floor of the Aspenson-Mogensen residence hall (210 Water St.) and a new front entryway at The Goat Coffee House (336 Water St.), as well as the demolition of the former Guppy’s Pizza (421 Water St.) and several other buildings on the street, which runs by the UW-Eau Claire campus. “These always provide benefits to the community,” Aaron White, the city’s economic development manager, said of such commercial developments. “You are talking about new places for retail, new services provided to residents and folks that live in that part of the community, particularly the student population.” Now that students have returned to UW-Eau Claire and nearly six months have passed since the pandemic began, businesses are trying to adapt their models to reflect a new normal under COVID-19, White said. “We encourage folks to go out and check on their favorite businesses,” White said. “Hopefully we can continue to support these local businesses as they continue to come back to a normal operation.” For more information about businesses in downtown Eau Claire, including Water Street, visit downtowneauclaire.org.

$234K

S T A T E O F WI S C O N S I N : 9% IN C R EA S E

REAL ESTATE GETS HOT PANDEMIC SLUMP FOLLOWED BY HIGH SUMMER HOME SALES words by

tom giffey • graphic by eric christenson

“Our spring rush got pushed back THE WEATHER WASN’T THE ONLY THING HOT 60 days,” said Gary Brenizer of IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY THIS SUMMER. Coldwell Banker Brenizer, board So was the housing market. president of the Realtors Association After a disappointing spring, of Northwestern Wisconsin. It’s a home sales have been at or near seller’s market, which means some record levels this summer, with pentproperties – particularly those under up demand leading to low inventory $200,000 – are selling for above the and rising prices. asking price, Brenizer said.

Statewide, July home sales were Recent homebuyers can attest to the highest for the month since at the fast-moving least 2005, and local market. were 9.5% higher Living in than the previPortland, Oregon, ous record, set UW-Eau Claire in July 2019. “On OUR SPRING alum Megan a year-to-date Zabel Holmes was basis, sales are RUSH GOT accustomed to a now only slightly very competitive lower than this PUSHED BACK housing market. time last year,” When her family the Wisconsin 6 0 D AY S . decided to move Realtors –GARY BRENIZER, PRESIDENT, back to Wisconsin, Association said.

REALTORS ASSOCIATION OF Zabel Holmes That’s impresNORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN said, “We thought sive considering that we could the negative swoop into Eau Claire and have our impact the pandemic lockdown had pick of houses, but we quickly found on all kinds of economic activity this that real estate inventory in Eau spring – including home sales.

Claire was very low and that the realIn the Chippewa Valley, sales ly appealing houses were selling in a rose even more than they had stateday or two.” wide: Year over year, July sales were Between starting a serious house up 27% in Eau Claire County. And, hunt at the end of May and getting while official numbers aren’t yet an offer accepted on July 15, Zabel available, homes were selling fast in Holmes and her husband were outAugust, too. bid for two other homes. The house In a typical year, local realtors they ended up buying hadn’t even said, sales peak in spring and taper been on the market: Friends in Eau off during the summer. Of course, Claire learned on Facebook that it 2020 has been anything but typical. was going up for sale, and toured it Because of the pandemic,

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on her behalf. Zabel Holmes had an accepted offer within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the family was also selling their house in Portland and moving cross-country with two small children during a pandemic. “I still can’t believe we pulled it off, and that the outcome is so good,” Zabel Holmes said. “We feel so lucky.”

Jasmine Case experienced a similar whirlwind this summer when she bought one house and sold another in Eau Claire. She and her husband fell in love with a house on a Friday and

by Monday afternoon learned that their purchase offer was accepted.

Next, they spent their wedding anniversary cleaning their house to get it ready to sell. “The first day our house was on the market, we had 13 showings and seven offers!” Case said. “We were thrilled our house sold so quickly. In seven days, we found a house, had our offer accepted, listed our house and accepted an offer to sell it – it went fast!”

Deborah Hanson, president-elect of the Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, says historically low interest rates are a major factor in attracting buyers. Likewise, the number of homes on the market is relatively low, said Hanson, a Realtor with Century 21 Affiliated in Altoona.

If you want to buy a home right now, Hanson has some advice: Get preapproved for a mortgage first.

“The house that you want, someone else is already preapproved for,” she said.

Eau Claire

Luxury + Sustainability = GreenFleet The United States pumped out 5.4 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2018 alone, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Now, one Chippewa Valley entrepreneur is looking to help reduce this number in the future with his new business, GreenFleet. “For me, the goal of GreenFleet really is to help advance electric transportation,” said Bill Lobner, the founder and CEO, “and just get the awareness out there. … It’s a lot less expensive and a lot more fun.” GreenFleet, which officially launches on Sept.

14, offers luxury shuttle services from Eau Claire to Minneapolis in sleek, modern Tesla cars. According to Lobner, not only does the service help the planet, but the all-electric Teslas are also significantly cheaper to operate than standard diesel vehicles. “It’s going to be a little more upscale,” said driver Bob Williamson. Riders will be offered clean neck pillows, sanitized noise-cancelling headphones, and nonalcoholic beverages with every ride. At just $50 a ride, these shuttles will take you from the The Lismore Hotel in downtown Eau Claire to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (or vice versa). You can book your ride at www.greenfleetec.com. –Rebecca Mennecke

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Eau Claire

MUSEUM PLANS NEXT MOVES CHILDREN’S MUSEUM PUTS BUILDING UP FOR SALE, SIGNS AGREEMENT TO BUILD NEW HOME words by

JUST DAYS AFTER REACHING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF EAU CLAIRE to build a new home downtown, the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is putting its current building up for sale.

The museum announced Aug. 28 that it has listed its current building, 220 S. Barstow St., for sale at a price of $1.4 million. The museum has been in the building, a former Woolworth’s, since it opened in 2004. However, it has been eyeing a new location on the so-called “liner site” on South Barstow Street, and it recently reached an agreement to build on the city-owned lot. The city’s Redevelopment Authority is expected to officially sign off on the agreement later in September.

A private Twin Cities-based developer, Monarch Ventures, also has plans to share the liner site, which is located between South Barstow and the parking ramp. The firm intends to build a three-story commercial building, which would include a restaurant, next to the new museum.

In a media release, the museum – which closed indefinitely earlier this summer as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – said it plans to relocate to the new building by 2022.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CMEC is moving up the timeline for listing its building for sale.

Typically, this would have been done a year out from our expected date to relocate and reopen in our new building,” said Michael McHorney, executive director.

The museum is taking a waitand-see attitude toward reopening.

tom giffey • photo by andrea paulseth

FISHING FOR A NEW LOCATION. The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire announced in late August that they are putting their building on the market.

It estimated that if it reopened next Jan. 1, it would lose nearly $200,000 next year. “To me, that is best case scenario, unless something drastically changes with the pandemic,” McHorney said. “This would deplete our entire cash reserves and we’d then be using our line of credit to operate. Knowing this, it seems prudent to begin the process of possibly selling our building earlier to move

forward with the building of the new children’s museum.”

If the current building is sold before the new one is completed, the museum says it has several options: It could lease the old building back from the new buyer temporarily, or it could operate as a “Museum Without Walls,” providing play opportunities around the community with a particular focus on families

BOTTOM LINE, THERE WILL BE A CHILDREN’S MUSEUM IN THE FUTURE. – MICHAEL MCHORNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF EAU CLAIRE

Eau Claire

REMAINS OF EAU CLAIRE’S FIRST WORLD WAR II CASUALTY IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 75 YEARS AFTER HE DIED DURING THE OPENING SALVO OF WORLD WAR II, the remains of an Eau Claire man have been officially identified. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Aug. 27 that the remains of Navy Fireman 1st Class Frank E. Nicoles, 24, had been ID’d after being exhumed from a military cemetery in Hawaii.

Nicoles was one of 429 crewmen who died Dec. 7, 1941, aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma when it was sunk in Pearl Harbor in a Japanese attack. According to a press release, scientists used dental, anthropological, and DNA analysis to ID the remains. Nicoles’ family hasn’t decided on a funeral date or location, the military said. –Tom Giffey

with low and moderate incomes.

The museum has already raised about $2.2 million for the construction of its new building.

“Bottom line, there will be a Children’s Museum in the future,” McHorney said. “For 15 years, the Children’s Museum has been a significant and valuable asset to the community. During the past few months, I’ve been told by countless people about how beloved the Children’s Museum is in our community. I agree, but it is more than just about being beloved. Play is serious learning and serious business. We’re an educational and economic engine.”

Learn more about the museum at childrensmuseumec.com.

On Campus

UWEC IS WORTH THE MONEY, MONEY MAGAZINE RANKINGS SAY THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IS ALWAYS FULL OF UNCERTAINTY, but Blugolds can be certain of one things: UW-Eau Claire is worth the money, at least as far as Money magazine is concerned. UWEC was the second-highest-ranked public regional university in Wisconsin and Minnesota in the mag’s 2020 listings of “Best College for Your Money.” UWEC landed at No. 175 out of 739 public and private universities nationwide that “successfully combine quality and affordability.”

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Neighbors Parks

L OOK AT THE COOL NEW PLANS F OR BOYD PARK THE FOLKS IN EAU CLAIRE’S EASTSIDE HILL NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD in recent years to upgrade Boyd Park, and their efforts are finally starting to take shape. In July, the Eau Claire City Council gave the go-ahead to a conceptual plan prepared by Ayres Associates with input from the Eastside Hill Neighborhood Association and the city’s Community Services Department. A few weeks back, the Eastside Hill Neighborhood Association gave the public a sneak peak at some conceptual images for what the Main Street park might look like in the future, including a cool plaza, a viewing platform overlooking the native prairie area, and a new playground.

The association had this to say about the Boyd Park Plus project: “Please know that there is still much to plan and many of the details you see here, such as the playground equipment, will probably change based on more neighborhood input, but they convey the general look and feel of the new park. More images and details coming soon!” Next comes fundraising: With city approvals in place, neighborhood leaders are pivoting to pursue additional fundraising and grants. Keep an eye on the neighborhood’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/eastsidehill) as they tease out more sweet, sweet renderings in the near future. –Tom Giffey

In The Mix

CALLING THE CROPS THE CYCLE OF SEASONS IN A HMONG GARDEN words by

BACK IN APRIL, MY MOTHER AND I BUNDLED UP to make our first trip out to the garden where she divided up the land and decided which crop would grow best where.

After we finished planting the early spring vegetables, my mother said it was time to hu, or call, the crops.

“Little cucumbers, little squash,” she sang in Hmong/HMoob*.

“Little beans, little potatoes.

Grow. For if you don’t, you won’t beat the weeds.”

So they grew, and indeed, beat the weeds.

Most days while out in the field with my feet in the dirt and fingers tangled in the vines, I often forgot that the rest of the Chippewa Valley had paused.

We continued to stake, to weed, and to find ways of keeping the crows away from the watermelons. Crows don’t know or care that we are living in a pandemic, and they will feast in our garden when we are away.

Though my family has not sold produce at the farmers markets in years, our garden is surround-

yia lor • photo by andrea paulseth

ed by other HMoob growers who do. They are there before we’ve arrived, and they are always the last to leave. Throughout the season, we watch as they tend to the land and haul buckets of green beans and potatoes into the shade.

When our watermelons are ripe, my mother cuts them open and hands out large slices to growers nearby who are gathering flowers for the next day’s market. In return, I am gifted a summer bouquet and remember that we exist for each other.

I run into some of the same growers when visiting various markets, and though they have seen fewer people come to shop, they are grateful that people come. For as long as people still come, they will grow their produce and feed the Valley. The crowd may be smaller than in previous summers, but the farmers markets continue to offer an array of colorful produce, sweet berries, warm kolaches, and my new favorite, birch log birdhouses.

Now with the end of the harvest upon us, my family has been

W E H AV E G AT H E R E D A N D B O I L E D T H E H M O O B C O R N , A N D W E H AV E G I V E N THANKS TO THE ANCESTORS FOR A N O T H E R G O O D H A R V E S T. AYRES ASSOCIATES

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gathering and drying seeds, a practice that has preserved our history and culture over the years, and my mother is busy filling each of our freezers with this summer’s bounty. We have gathered and boiled the HMoob corn, and we have given thanks to the ancestors for another good harvest.

The HMoob New Year will be celebrated differently this year.

We most likely will not gather for a ball toss or cultural performances. There will be no need to worry about getting pepper sauce on traditional outfits or sticky fingers from spilled nab vam.

However, all across the world, HMoob people will be celebrating in their homes, perhaps boiling corn too and filling chest freezers full of green beans, eggplants, and squash shoots.

This has certainly not been the year that any of us anticipated, and though I’m not sure what 2021 has to offer, I do know that my mother and I will return to the garden next April. We will call the crops and ask them to grow, and we know they will hear us.

They will answer.

Yia Lor is a storyteller and writer from Eau Claire. She shares her time with her family, her yoga mat, and 30+ houseplants. * The term “HMoob” is used instead of the anglicized term “Hmong” to reclaim the term that defines this ethnic group. The “h” and “m” are capitalized to be inclusive of White Hmoob and Green Moob.

Seniors

L.E. PHILLIPS SENIOR CENTER

SE N IOR CENTER’S E -T RIKES HELP RIDE RS TACK LE V A L L E Y’S TRAILS AUTUMN IS ALMOST UPON US, SO NOW IS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES OF YEAR TO EXPLORE THE LEAF-LINED TRAILS in and around Eau Claire. If you’re concerned that your age or ability may prevent you from tackling the trails, the L.E. Phillips Senior Center has something to ease your mind – not to mention your potentially achy knees: The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County recently delivered two recumbent tricycles to the senior center (1616 Bellinger St., Eau Claire). The electric-equipped TerraTrikes can be reserved and checked out free of charge by adults Monday through Friday 8am-3:30pm. According to the senior center, the TerraTrikes offer a battery-powered “pedal assist” which helps boost a biker’s own pedal power. “This can reduce stress and impact on your knees and thighs,” the senior center says.

“The E-Trike can assist you to conquer hills and inclines, so you don’t have to worry about any challenging terrain. People of all ages and health can ride for much longer with the E-Trike.” The senior center says the E-Trikes are already becoming popular with some users, who can take them east or west just a few blocks to get onto different segments of the city’s ever-growing trail system. You don’t even need to be a member of the L.E. Phillips Senior Center to check out of the E-Trikes. Just call the center at (715) 839-4909 to make a reservation or for more information. And be sure to enjoy the leaves as you whiz along the trails! –Tom Giffey

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Business FROM

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Boost Your Biz: Four Local Grants for Entrepreneurs words by

tom giffey

FORAGING FORWARD. Meredith Kervin Blankenheim, owner of Forage, at the food and event space’s new home, 403 S. Barstow St.

FROM LONG-ESTABLISHED FIRMS TO STARTUPS, businesses of all kinds have faced serious challenges during the pandemic.

Here are four programs highlighted by Downtown Eau Claire Inc. that provide grants and resources to new or existing businesses: 1. EDA CARES ACT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE REVOLVING LOAN FUND. This revolving loan fund, operated by the Eau Claire-based Regional Business Fund Inc., “is designed to assist small businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting with long-term, fixed rate, low-interest working capital loans.” Loans range from $5,000 to $10,000 and must be repaid within seven years. Learn more at www.rbfinc.org/ cares-act-rlf.

2. CITY OF EAU CLAIRE REVOLVING LOAN FUND. The City of Eau Claire also received funding from the EDA Cares Act for a new Revolving Loan Fund to help with COVID-19 recovery. Learn details by emailing ecodevo@eauclairewi.gov.

3. RED LETTER GRANT. The Red Letter Grant is focused on supporting and empowering female entrepreneurs in 10 counties of western Wisconsin. Two $2,000 grants will be awarded this fall, and applications are due Monday, Oct. 5. Learn more at www.redlettergrant.org/apply2.

4. IDEA CHALLENGE. The Idea Challenge is an annual contest operated by the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp. that assists entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into reality. Applicants must be from Eau Claire County, and the grand prize is $5,000.

This year’s application deadline is Oct. 1.

Visit www.eauclaire-wi.com/entrepreneurs/ idea-challenge to learn more.

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Expansion

FORAGE GOES DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY SPACE / COMMERCIAL KITCHEN RELOCATES TO BARSTOW STREET words by

rebecca mennecke • photo by andrea paulseth

FORAGE WAS FOUNDED IN 2015 WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING a space for locals to celebrate, enjoy local food, and gather for unique events – and that’s something owner Meredith Kervin Blankenheim plans to continue at Forage’s new home, 403 S. Barstow St. “Moving to Barstow felt like a natural next step for Forage and its growth,” said owner Kervin Blankenheim. “It means bringing Forage’s events to a more accessible location with a few more amenities and into the downtown business community. For both private and Forage-

Expansion

VER HAIR SALON’S NEW ’DO AS OF JULY 28, BOBBIE BAKER OFFICIALLY RE-OPENED A BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW VERSION of her beloved hair salon, VER Hair Salon (403 Water St., Eau Claire), with the help of three awesome, newly hired ladies.

“I count my blessings every morning,” Baker said. VER Hair Salon was created with the mission of “spreading kindness in not only the hair world, but also our community and the world as a whole,” according to their website. And it’s a mission Baker hopes people feel right when they walk through their doors. The goal of the new location is to have a different approach than other salons, with an increased focus on education – allowing stylists to learn more about their craft and follow their passions with more support. “It’s been really rewarding,” Baker said. There’s a new community space in the back of their salon, called the Milliner Conservatory – or “MC” for short – where folks can rent out space for anything you can think of: photographers, pop-up shops, and education training for staff (www.themilliner.space). There’s a new guest lounge with socially distant, modern acrylic chairs and a leather sofa. And VER Hair Salon is proud to be an eco salon, meaning 85% of their waste is recycled, and they use eco-head sprayer nozzles to eliminate water waste by up to 65%. “It has been a ride of a lifetime, to say the least,” Baker said. Learn more at verstylists.com. –Rebecca Mennecke

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C D

y t o

and airy vibe in their new space, hosted public events, being downalong with other new changes. “I’m town is so convenient and means adding my own take on it, with more we’re able to reach more people natural touches like live greenery more easily.” and lots of natural wood,” she said.

In contrast to Forage’s original Their new location (which most home in Banbury Place, one of the recently housed Greater Midwest biggest additions at the new space Mercantile) was built in 1924, and will be the creation of an Artisan so it brings some “art deco touches” Market, featuring local food, art, to the business’s typical “industrial home goods, and more that will be chic” vibes. open on days when Forage is by there are no prino means the first vate events in their local business to venue space. “Our move from Banbury community has an MOVING TO Place to downtown incredible number Eau Claire, accordof makers of all B A R S T O W F E LT ing to Downtown sorts of things, and Eau Claire Inc. I want Forage to L I K E A N AT U R A L Executive Director be able to introAaron White. duce customers NEXT STEP FOR Banbury Place – a to what is availhuge former tire able right here FORAGE AND ITS factory – acts as a in the Chippewa “business incubaValley,” Kervin GROWTH. tor,” where busiBlankenheim said. nesses can transiForage also –MEREDITH KERVIN BLANKENHEIM, tion from home- or hopes to work with OWNER, FORAGE online-based businew businesses nesses to brick-andand customers in mortar locations. But Banbury lacks their shared-use commercial kitchen. store visibility, foot traffic, and casuIt’s not easy (or inexpensive!) to creal pedestrians walking around, which ate a commercial kitchen, so this is a can help a business succeed. Moving unique opportunity for locals, Kervin downtown also brings all the Forage Blankenheim said. She also plans frequenters to the shops downtown, to host artist showcases, cooking which can help the economic vitality classes, increase partnerships with of downtown businesses. downtown businesses, and add more “We encourage entrepreneurs to to their online store – with a number seek out downtown as an opportunity of exciting announcements in the to build their business in an area coming weeks. that has undergone an incredible One of Kervin Blankenheim’s transformation over the last few favorite things about Forage is its years,” White said. aesthetic, which is something that To keep up-to-date with Forage’s will get a refresh, too. They’re bringrelocation, check out their Facebook ing along their signature floating lanpage at www.facebook.com/forage.ec. tern ceiling, which creates a bright

Opening Up

Sound Beauty Salon Strikes a Chord COLOR BURST, A MURAL CREATED BY LOCAL ARTIST AND UW-EAU CLAIRE ALUMNA DEZ LEZOTTE, stops your eyes when you walk into Sound Beauty Salon (427 Water St., Suite 10). Next you’re drawn to the displays of Davines hair care and skin products. Founded in Parma, Italy, in 1983 by the Bollati Family, Davines is known for its Sustainable Beauty Concept, which encourages people to care for themselves while also being conscious of the environment. Every item it produces creates a zero carbon footprint. Each label tells the story of the product’s origin – the name of the farmer or farm in Italy where its natural ingredients are sourced. Each vessel can be reused or repurposed. Stylists Kim Martin, Josie Berenz, and Susy Olson own the salon, which opened in July. Longtime friends, they are all graduates of the Eau Claire Professional Hair Design Academy with more than 15 years of combined experience. Each is devoted to helping their clients “find their frequency” beauty-wise. Learn more at facebook.com/soundbeautysalon or soundbeautysalon.com. –Barbara Arnold

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Hillside Dental

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DISTANCED IN THE PINES. The Blue Ox Music Festival hosted Live From The Pines: August 2020 Edition at Whispering Pines Campground Aug. 28 and 29.

Affectionately called “Campout In The Pines,” the two-night event – which featured Charlie Parr, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, and Them Coulee Boys – streamed online for thousands at home while on the grounds, a very limited number of campers could enjoy the music with strict social distancing in place.

Blue Ox is gearing up for round two September 24-26 with Yonder Mountain String Band. Tickets are on sale now at blueoxmusicfestival.com.

Arts PHOTO BY KYLE LEHMAN

Perform

Visual

Words

LOCAL MUSIC STORE SPEED OF SOUND CLOSES ITS DOORS

DOWNTOWN EAU CLAIRE GETS COLORFUL WITH A TON OF NEW MURALS

POET DOROTHY CHAN LAUNCHES BIWOC-LED LIT MAG

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MUSIC • THEATER • VISUAL ART • COMEDY • DANCE • BOOKS • FILMS • FASHION ARTS EDITOR: ERIC CHRISTENSON

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eric@volumeone.org

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Perform Theater

Mabel Tainter Welcomes New Director of Operations words by

BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY. Mike Schlenker (right) with Luther Allison back in the day. “One of the all-time great blues players and a great dude,” Schlenker said. Schlenker’s long-running music gear and repair shop, Speed of Sound, closed earlier this summer.

rebecca mennecke

AFTER GAINING EXPERIENCE IN THEATERS AROUND THE MIDWEST, Lucas Chase is thrilled to settle into his new position as Director of Operations at the place where his love of theater began – the Mabel Tainter Theater. Chase has already launched the “Give 20 for 20” campaign, encouraging folks to donate $20 to support the theater through 2020. In July, the Mabel Tainter celebrated its 130th anniversary, and Chase seeks to ensure it’s around for the next 130 years. “This is a huge time to grow for us,” Chase said.

He plans to create more robust children’s programming, partner more with the Menomonie Theater Guild and local schools, and – perhaps most importantly – troop through pandemic times through strategic planning. “The Mabel is truly one of the most majestic theaters in the country,” Chase said, “and I am grateful to have the chance to help the Mabel transition during this pandemic to find new ways to serve the community and plan for the day when we can do live performances again.” –Rebecca Mennecke

LUCAS CHASE

PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

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Music

THE SLOW SPEED-DOWN A LONG-RUNNING EAU CLAIRE MUSIC SHOP CLOSES UP words by

“AT SOME POINT IT’S GOING TO SINK IN,” says Mike Schlenker, who after almost 25 years of running Speed of Sound – a music gear store and repair shop in Eau Claire – decided to close up. “Maybe my wife and I will go out of town, we’re having drinks on the water or something, it’ll all come crashing down.”

In such a strange year, the reality of leaving the shop behind after all these years and with all these memories hasn’t set in quite yet. There’s enough distractions in the world simply by existing right now. But Schlenker, not one to talk about himself in glowing terms, says whenever the music world returns to some semblance of normal, that’s when he’ll probably feel it.

Apart from the shop, he’s a gifted guitarist and he’s played with countless bands over the years like the Sue Orfield Band and Another Carnival back in the day. For Schlenker, music isn’t something you just leave behind. It’s a lifelong passion and a timeless joy. You can bet he’ll still be a fixture in the local music world as long as he can.

“All I’ve ever done since I was 20 is sell guitars,” he joked. “I’m probably not going to be a good car salesman.”

When he opened Speed of Sound in May of 1996, those early days were marked with late nights getting the store ready, organizing everything, and slumping back home in the wee hours of the morning. “It was a lot of work, man,” Schlenker said. “But that’s what it took to get it going.”

As the years pressed on, more

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eric christenson

and more of Speed of Sound’s sound Schlenker said that’s also what systems and lighting rigs could be made the decision to close Speed of found in venues all over the Valley Sound an incredibly difficult one. from bars like The Plus and The He refused to announce the closure Stones Throw to churches big and until he could confirm Lewer and Farber could take their customers small – even our own Volume One somewhere else.

Gallery is outfitAnd it worked ted with Speed of out – Lewer is Sound gear. taking his guitar But one of ALL I’VE EVER repairs to Offbeats the biggest parts Violin & Guitar of the whole DONE SINCE I and Farber is business was now over at Elite its repair team.

WA S 2 0 I S S E L L Audio & Service.

Schlenker has “Those guys known Keith G U I TA R S . helped make the Lewer, an expert shop feel comat guitar repair, I ’ M P R O B A B LY plete,” Schlenker longer than his said. “I felt like own wife. And NOT GOING TO I got credit for Derek Farber, a stuff that maybe I family friend, has shouldn’t because BE A GOOD CAR done top-notch those guys were repairs on tube just really good.”

SALESMAN.” amps and elecSo it’s a bittrical work for –MIKE SCHLENKER, tersweet end for years. Both those FORMER OWNER OF SPEED OF SOUND Speed of Sound guys brought an in an unpreceuncanny energy dented time for to the place – and live music. But Mike Schlenker’s their work inspired immense cusshop legacy lives on through his tomer loyalty. Looking over papercustomers, repair guys, venues, and work while closing up, Schlenker musicians everywhere who have would see the same names pop up stopped in. And while Schlenker is for repairs 40-50 times over the content to relax a bit and play some course of many years. golf, there’s always going to be more “It’s a musician’s shop, so to work to do, and more music to make. speak,” Schlenker said. “You want “I’m gonna be working. I gotta to bring in your old tube amp, yeah, work. I want to work. I don’t have we got the guy. You want to bring in any desire to sit around,” he said. your old ’50s Gibson or whatever, we “The music thing is definitely gonna got the guy. Those guys really made keep going.” the shop what it was.”

Music

Music THE NUNNERY

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Showcasing the Sweet Sounds of Sawdust City words by

parker reed

Lovers, The Rattlenecks, Whale FOR A TOWN NAMED AFTER CLEAR House, The Heart Pills, FM Down, WATER, some locals may not and many more. clearly see all of the tremendous I T ’ S G R E AT When the library was closed in talent the area has to offer, but a March, library staff developed a resource has popped up to help TO SEE A SITE way to continue supporting artists them do just that. on the site through a new video Sawdust City Sounds is an P R O M O T I N G O N LY series, “Sawdust City Sounds Like online platform hosted by the L.E. Home,” featuring original videos Phillips Memorial Public Library from Ben Shaw, Jim Pullman, LOCAL MUSIC. in Eau Claire that showcases Oddity, Rock Creek Song Dogs, current local music. The website –LOCAL MUSICIAN JASON WEST ON and others. Musicians were allows independent musicians SAWDUST CITY SOUNDS offered a stipend to create videos to submit their latest recorded shared on the platform, and the material for listeners to discover, library has plans to expand their download, share, and enjoy a host video series in the future. of different types of artists who perform and record in This month marks the third open submission period the Eau Claire area. for artists, and those whose records feature at least two The website, launched in 2018, is supported by the songs or a minimum of ten minutes are invited to subL.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Endowment mit at least one track for consideration to be included Fund, and continues to be a platform for local artists to in the collection. Artists who are selected by the team bring their music to listeners who might not have disof local curators will be offered an honorarium of $50covered it otherwise.

200, depending on the number of tracks submitted or A few of the artists whose music is available the length of the submission. on the platform include The Nunnery, TeawhYB, You can tune in at sawdustcitysounds.org or submit Picard, Adrian Klenz, Greg Gilbertson, Peter at sawdustcitysounds.org/submit through October 31.

Phippen, Ben Shaw, Nick Anderson and the Skinny

STAYING SMOOTH IN THE FACE O F A D VE R S I T Y THE UWEC JAZZ STUDIES DEPARTMENT PUT A NEW SPIN ON THE PANDEMIC, releasing an ensemble recording titled “A Time To Heal” on their YouTube page when the university first shut down back in March. The video was composed by Adi Yeshaya, a UW-Eau Claire instructor, and was performed by the students in the Jazz Ensemble I. More recently, the band discovered that 21 albums made by the band dating back all the way to 1993 are unavailable anywhere online. To remedy this, they’re uploading the albums for all to enjoy.

Starting Sept. 8 at 10am, one album will be featured, and two of the songs will be released onto the jazz band’s YouTube page.

This will continue into the middle of January. Because of COVID, the jazz ensembles are taking extra precautions when performing. They stand more than six feet apart with special equipment on the front of their instruments to stop aerosol spread from the tips, and much more.

“In today’s music industry, it is an advantage for every musician to have a background in home recording and the making of video,” said John Francis, the jazz assistant. To hear everything the department is up to, start on the UWEC Jazz Studies YouTube page. –Hayley Jacobson

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Dance

PHOTO BY ALLIE EMERSON

ALL CAUGHT UP. Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild performers take a bow after performing Caught In The Net in 2019.

Theater

A GRAND OLD MILESTONE CHIPPEWA VALLEY THEATER GUILD CELEBRATES 15 YEARS AT THE GRAND, 40 YEARS RUNNING words by

hayley jacobson

ONE THEATRE, 15 YEARS OF HISTORY. ONE GROUP, 40 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT. The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild is celebrating 15 years at The Grand Theatre this year. This occasion coincides with their 40th year as an organization in the Chippewa Valley. While the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild will not celebrate in person, they will still celebrate this monumental occasion through video performances posted to their Facebook page.

One of these performances will be the Shakespearean Teen twoweek workshop group, which will premier in October and be the last

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performance of the season, while the others will be videos taking a look at past performances, celebrating those who have been a part of the guild in its 40-year history.

The Grand, the theater in which the guild now is housed, was purchased by the group 15 years ago.

Before that, it was a Salvation Army building. What the group now uses as the theater used to be the chapel.

“It’s a lovely location,” said Ann Sessions, the executive director of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild.

“We wanted to stay in the heart of Eau Claire. The space that we have is the chapel for the Salvation Army.

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Rows and rows of pews, a raised stage, and raised ceilings.” Before the guild was able to buy The Grand, they rented two offices at The State Theatre, which has now closed.

Every theatre company and production has its own challenges.

Sometimes finding cast members, making sets work, financial problems – the list goes on. “Sometimes you have to think outside the box,” said Russel Slack, a member of the Guild.

The Grand has been closed since March, Sessions said, assuming restrictions were first put in place.

Since then, all productions have been halted.

According to Rebecca Mattson, secretary for The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, after the first of the year, productions will resume. Two favorites will be returning to the stage: Legally Blonde, which will run from April until May, and Matilda, which will run in June.

To help the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild fund its programs and open for their next season, you can donate to them through cvtg. org. Starting in 2021 – when restrictions on in-person gatherings are lifted – there will be different events for the public to be a part of to celebrate The Guild’s long run in the Chippewa Valley and at The Grand.

Dancing With the Eau Claire Stars To Dazzle Viewers Online “DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING.” This phrase will physically be true for the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre’s annual “Dancing with the Eau Claire Stars, which will be live 9.17 streamed by the Pablo DANCING WITH THE Center to EAU CLAIRE STARS ten – social• RCU Theater, Pablo ly distanced Center, Eau Claire •VIP – VIP Watch tickets: $75 Parties around the city of Eau Claire, This year’s event showcases ten competing teams, a featured Eau Claire celebrity guest, dance partner, and choreographer. Celebrity guests include Daybreak Meteorologist at WQOW TV-18, Justin Esterly, and UWEC Psychology professor, Douglas Matthews. VIP Watch Party tickets are on sale now at ecct.org. Upcoming details on the dancers and event coverage can be found on the ECCT Facebook page.

–Evelyn Nelson

Visual ON DISPLAY current art shows around the Valley

UWEC Foster Gallery 63rd Annual Juried Art Show Sep. 14 - 30

Artisan Forge Gallery Open for public viewing

The Volume One Gallery

KEY TO THE CITY. Rehannah Petska puts some finishing touches “Love Is The Key” – a mural commissioned for the back wall of The Metro in downtown Eau Claire. Directly adjacent is the new ColorBlock project (below) which seeks to put up five (five!) additional murals down the alleyway.

Visual Art

Andrew Ritchie // Somewhere Else Until Oct. 2020

MURAL MANIA

Pablo Center Take Me To The River by Susan Phelps Pearson (Virtual)

EAU CLAIRE GOT WAY MORE COLORFUL THIS SUMMER

pablocenter.org +

words by

Beneath The Surface (Virtual) pablocenter.org

The Heyde Center Finely Fiber Until Oct. 7

Sculpture Tour of Eau Claire Open for public viewing

ColorBlock Murals Open for public viewing

submit your art show! james@volumeone.org

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STREET ART HAS POPPED UP ALL AROUND OUR CITY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS with designs varying from a rainbow hop seed cone, Bon Iver album art, and bold, vibrant graphics throughout downtown. With such poignant current events occurring throughout our world – whether that’s the coronavirus pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, or our presidential race – the local art community found it important to draw attention to these pressing matters through this highly visible art form.

Two different murals with the same message popped up in July: one on the back of Details and one on the side of Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor. The Eau Claire Public Arts Council and Chippewa Valley Votes collaborated with artist Clark Stoeckley in the cre-

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catey leonardson • photos by andrea paulseth ation of these pieces to highlight the important issue of voting. The artist put his own twist on Robert Indiana’s famous “LOVE” design by replacing it with “VOTE” – but, as the artist says, his murals are meant to incorporate both meanings to encourage us to love our right to vote by making sure we head to the polls.

Another piece painted in July was a Black Lives Matter mural paying homage to lives lost at the hands of police brutality, making its home on the garage doors of The Lismore. Brittany Tainter – the owner of Giizhig Design Co. in Eau Claire – and Brooke Newmaster – the organizer of a local BIPOC group – created the design. Antoine Hill and his nine-year-old daughter, Carolina, assisted in the project, as well as Navontay Wilson, the owner of Premium Blendz Barber Lounge in Eau Claire.

Wilson labeled the art as “a representation of a voiceless community that America has chosen to ignore.” The mural shows the faces of Ahmaud Arbery, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Eric Garner, Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, Marsha P. Johnson, Emmett Till, and their loved ones, with their faces purposefully void of color within a sea of vivid tones to display the acute loss of community vibrancy that accompanied

their deaths.

The most recent mural to make its entrance onto the downtown streets of Eau Claire can be found on the back of The Metro, displaying a painting of an antique key.

Commissioned by Benny Haas, owner of The Metro and The Plus, the mural was created by Eau Claire artist Rehannah Petska, who took Haas’ idea of love as the theme and vamped it up to create a “love is the key” theme. Since The Metro is the venue for many weddings, love was an all-encompassing message that was sure to draw in event-goers and daily passersby for photo opportunities. As Haas says, “We are an arts community.” What better way to show love to our town than to fill it with important and vibrant imagery?

In this same spirit, five ColorBlock muralists – Christina Dickman-Loew, Jaden Flores, Evan Peterson, Abby Semmann, and Jenna Wood – were selected to adorn the 600 block of South Barstow Street in downtown Eau Claire with their designs in late August. Though the ColorBlock project originally planned for 50 murals, the pandemic forced the committee to start a little smaller. Inspired by this year’s theme, “Imagination,” these artists seek to represent the vitality and diversity of the Eau Claire community.

According to ColorBlock committee planning member Kelsey Wenberg, they hope to add on more mural projects throughout this year.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Film

Homegrown Homerun: Local’s Indie Film Hits A Dinger words by

rebecca mennecke

pair said. Most of their actors volPINCH IS A FILM ABOUT TWO STRANGERS unteered to be a part of the film, so WHO ARE VYING FOR THE SAME PIECE OF scheduling turned into a nightmare, SPORTS MEMORABILIA. The pair decide Lloyd said. Out of 420-some days of to play a game of baseball to settle working on the film, 60 of the days the competition, and their friendwere spent actually filming – but ship ensues from there. Many viewthis worked well for Lloyd, since he ers describe the film as the plot of could edit as they went on. Since it The Sandlot when the kids grow up. was a fairly low-budget film, the duo But, the experiences on-screen are filmed most things “guerilla-style,” remarkably similar to the creators’ or finding places throughout Los lives off-screen.

Angeles to film as they could.

Actor Anthony Duerkop (a.k.a.

“I could not call the shots,” Lloyd “Tony Wayne”) met director Jake said. “I had to allow the shots to be Lloyd in Los Angeles on the set of 24 called.” in its final season. The pair immeAmong the biggest inspirations diately hit it off. “We’ve become as for the film was close as close can Wayne’s childbe,” Lloyd said. hood in the “We have the Chippewa Valley. same sensibiliI LIKE TO THINK Born and raised ties… Tony is just in Eau Claire, sort of my guy.”

PINCH IS JUST A Wayne attended After the UW-Eau Claire as duo attended SLIVER OF LIFE. a theater student. the Prairie Gate Before he graduLiterary Festival –JAKE LLOYD, DIRECTOR OF PINCH ated, he received as guest speakthe opportunity of ers on screena lifetime: he was writing, Lloyd accepted by a small studio in New was inspired to write his own film.

York, where he trained as an actor.

“There’s no excuse anymore,” he “It was a huge culture shock to me,” reflected. “It’s way too easy to make Wayne said. something nowadays.”

He later returned to Eau Claire Written in a matter of five days, for three years, in which time he Pinch follows similar life experience helped create the Bare Bones as Lloyd and Wayne – two strangers Theater Company and taught theater who hit it off immediately. From classes at the university. Pinch was there, production moved quickly, the

PRIME TIME. Tony Wayne (left) and Jake Lloyd are the minds behind the indie movie Pinch, in which two strangers compete to claim a piece of rare sports memorabilia. The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime. his first full film, he said, which posed exciting challenges for the actor.

After finishing the film, the pair toured the country for film festival screenings, where many audience members felt its emotional impact.

“I like to think that Pinch is just a sliver of life,” Lloyd said. “There’s a lot of really relatable, really human emotion.”

The weirdest experience for Lloyd was screening in Eau Claire at the Eau Claire International Film

Festival. “It always gets a weird reaction because everyone knows Tony,” he laughed. But, he said, “He’s one of the most talented actors.”

The film is now available to stream on Amazon Prime. “In the world of social distancing and in the world of people feeling stuck in their homes,” Lloyd said, “I really wanted to get the movie out there.”

You can see a sneak preview of Pinch on YouTube or stream it via Amazon Prime.

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Words

INTERSECTIONAL

Many Faces of “I”: A Craft Talk on Creative Nonfiction

F E M I N I S T. I T I S G O I N G T O B E Q U E E R - F R I E N D LY. – POET DOROTHY CHAN, ON NEW LITERARY MAGAZINE – HONEY LITERARY

julie quinn

Creative nonfiction writer Barrett Swanson will be sharing the many guises the first-person persona takes in longform journalism in the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild and L.E. Phillips Memorial Library’s upcoming event, “The Many Faces Of The I: First-Person Personas in Journalism.”

The event will take place virtually on Facebook Live on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7-8pm. Swanson will use his cover stories previously featured in Harper’s Magazine to discuss the role of first-person in journalistic writing. His work is also featured in The New Yorker and The Paris Review. “This craft talk will not only be of interest to creative writers and writers of nonfiction and journalism, but also readers of narrative nonfiction,” says BJ Hollars, executive director of CVWG. “Subscribers to... magazines that champion longform journalism will, ideally, appreciate a behind-the-scenes look at how these pieces are researched and written.” More information about the event can be found at cvwritersguild.org and on their Facebook page.

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A N T I - R A C I S T. I T IS GOING TO BE

Talks

words by

IT IS GOING TO BE

A DASH OF HONEY. Poet and professor Dr. Dorothy Chan is the Editor In Chief of Honey Literary, a new nationwide lit journal curated by women of color.

Books

BOYS CLUB NO MORE UWEC PROF LAUNCHES NEW BIWOC-RUN MAGAZINE, HONEY LITERARY words by

rebecca mennecke

OVER THE SUMMER, DR. DOROTHY CHAN – an assistant professor of creative writing at UW-Eau Claire and Managing Editor of Barstow & Grand – became fed up with the racism, sexism, and homophobia of the literary world.

“In the literary world, which basically started off as this all boy’s club – many times still feels like this all boy’s club – female editors are a rarity,” Chan said. “Right? But then, when you get into more intersections of that, those editors also become an even greater rarity.”

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And so, Chan partnered with her friend and colleague, Dr. Rita Mookerjee – who teaches in the women’s and gender studies department at Iowa State University – to launch Honey Literary, an online literary journal that is completely run by Black women, Indigineous women, and women of color.

“It is going to be anti-racist,” Chan said. “It is going to be intersectional feminist. It is going to be queer-friendly. It’s going to be all those intersections and all those stories and all those narratives that

make for great literature. And there’s a lot of power in that.”

“This was very much born from a place of profound frustration,” Mookerjee added. “We see this language carted a lot like, ‘We are committed to diversity’ and ‘we would like to elevate marginalized voices,’ and it’s so stale. It’s so empty.”

Submissions officially opened on Sept. 1 in their nine genres: Poetry; Sex, Kink, and the Erotic; Essays; Hybrid; Comics; Animals; Interviews; Reviews; and Valentines. The genres are intentionally out-of-the-box to encourage new, fresh voices that may not fit the traditional boundaries of literary journals.

They publish BIPOC women, non-binary, and trans people, disabled writers, and anyone of color from the LGBTQ community, as well as allies who champion their causes.

To encourage diverse submissions, they do not have submission fees.

Their first online issue will be published in Winter 2021, with forthcoming publications according to each season. In the future, the founding duo hope to pay their contributors to place value on their work. “I hope that Honey Literary might provide an example of what is possible,” said Comics Editor Jessica Stark.

You can check out Honey Literary at www.honeyliterary.com.

C o

CAN I SWEAR ON HERE? This year, it feels like podcasts are popping up more and more from all kinds of local folks in the Valley, offering good talks, entertainment, thoughtful discussion, diverse voices, games, interviews, and a whole lotta mouth sounds.

Podcasts

Listen Up! Podcasts are All The Rage in the Valley & We’re Here for It words by

luc anthony • photo by joel pearish

VOLUME ONE HAS JUMPED ON BOARD TO THE PODCAST BANDWAGON with our very first podcast – The Volume One Podcast – starting in late September, so obviously tap “subscribe” and get ready for a whole other kind of free, lovably local content.

But there’s so much more out there! If you’re looking for more audio goodness from local thinkers and talkers – we’ll save you the searching. Check out a few of our favorite local podcasts: PASSION POD • Passion Board Shop’s Chris Johnson interviews fascinating young entrepreneurs from our area and beyond.

WISCONSIN BOUND • The Haas family (Tyler, Travis, and Jaycee Nauman) host a small batch comedy podcast with themes like “tall tales” and “megabrain.”

COOL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT • Tyler Haas teams with Jodie Arnold to tell strange tales a-plenty, more recently with the episodic Joe Luginbill-focused “Luginbilled.”

SILENCE NO MORE • You may have questions about domestic violence and sexual assault, and Bolton Refuge House answers those concerns and covers other related topics.

MICHAEL PERRY’S VOICE MAIL • The legendary wordsmith of the Chippewa Valley publishes his unvarnished perspectives (it requires a paid subscription, albeit with occasional free content).

QUEER IN THE VALLEY • Breana Stanley and Ron Davis from the Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center chat with locals, chat pop culture, and include “The Golden Girls” in their monthly episodes.

THE SOCIAL X CHANGE PROJECT • Sheng Lor Waldinger provides a platform to hear stories from the vastly diverse professionals who can be found here in western Wisconsin.

CONVERSATIONS IN COLOR • Hosted by Ed Hudgins and Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, this program from Converge Radio, Pablo Center, and Uniting Bridges discusses our community through a race and racial justice lens.

BANKER WITH A BEER • Northwestern Bank’s Jerry Kuehl partners with Eau Claire Hometown Radio’s Scott Montesano and different types of beers to converse on financial matters (Eau Claire Hometown Radio features additional Chippewa Valley-area podcasts). Volume One’s very own Tom Giffey appears in one episode!

THE MAN CAVE FOOTBALL PODCAST • Sports Talk 105.1 morning host Dan Kasper deep dives into professional football, including occasional interviews with national writers.

CHIPPEWA HERALD SPORTS PODCAST • Sports Editor Brandon Berg talks with local coaches and sports figures to glean insight into the workings of the prep sports scene.

THE 715 PODCAST • Eau Claire Memorial students Jackson Sandler and Grant Gerber interview friends and other folks that are doing cool things and talk music, sports, La Croix, video games, and much much more.

WELCOME TO COOPERVILLE • You used to hear him on the radio; now Cooper talks to musicians, entrepreneurs, and more about all the awesome aspects of life.

EAU CLAIRE IS HERE! • Jane Seymour-Kunick and Scott Kunick talk to some of the community notables from, well, here in Eau Claire!

GOT TIME FOR A QUICK STORY? • Local author Luc Anthony ends this list with his own podcast, interviewing people associated with pop/rock music classics, plus occasional local musical folks.

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| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

FOOD TRUCK FRENZY. Though the pandemic has cancelled many of the food truck-gathering events across the Chippewa Valley, that hasn’t stopped local food trucks – like Rosy’s Texas Outpost – from serving up good eats.

Rosy’s will have a slew of delectables like their Super Burrito, Super Taco, Crispy Chips N’ Cheese, Fiesta Chips, and more throughout September!

Life PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

Food+Drink

Leisure

Family

FORMER FOOD TRUCK OWNER OPENS FIRST RESTAURANT

EXPANDED BOULDERING WALL CREATES CLIMBING OPPORTUNITIES IN EC

LOCAL QUILT SHOW FEATURES 200+ MASTERPIECES

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FOOD • DRINK • NIGHTLIFE • LEISURE • RECREATION • OUTDOORS • WELLNESS • FAMILY LIFE EDITOR: REBECCA MENNECKE

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rebecca@volumeone.org

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Food+Drink Events

3 DELICIOUS FOOD+DRINK EVENTS 9.10

BEECHWOOD BEER PAIRED DINNER

Sep. 10 • Bye the Willow • 6-8pm Welcoming Troy MORE LeBlair, a craft beer expert. Tailor ONLINE menu to feature 4 Beechwood Craft beers. The menu will include Braised Short Ribs, and corn salad, plus fresh chocolate chip cookies and milk-stout-beer whipped cream.

Tickets on sale now. Doors open at 6pm. First Course is at 6:30pm.

9.11

BACKYARD BBQ BASH

BUSY AS BEES TO MAKE SWEET EATS. The Hive is a women-run restaurant geared toward vegan and vegetarian crowds.

New Stuff

CREATING A BUZZ THE HIVE FEATURES WRAPS, RICE BOWLS, AND PUP-FRIENDLY COFFEE

Sep. 11 • Down to Earth Garden Center • 5-7pm •Enjoy an evening surrounded by the beauty of summer. Join Down to Earth for a delicious summer meal of ribs, sausages, baked beans, and cole slaw, served out of the Grainery. Meals can be picked up to go, or enjoyed at the table on site in the open air. RSVP and pre-purchase your meals online.

9.19

C&

12TH ANNUAL NW BEER FEST

Sep. 19 • N. WI State Fairground • 2-6pm • Beerfest is back for another year with some safety precautions in place to ensure a fun event. Hundreds of varieties of beer, food trucks, and more to support youth hockey. Limited tickets to this year’s events, so reserve yours at volumeonetickets.org.

words by

IN BETWEEN EAU CLAIRE AND CHIPPEWA FALLS is The Hive, a women-run restaurant owned by Alyssa Tollefson and Lexi Dawson.

The Hive (1120 122nd St., Lake Hallie, in the former location of Deb’s Cafe) offers many different tasty options including items geared toward the vegan and vegetarian crowd. When Tollefson was thinking of a name and logo for her restaurant, she says she wanted to incorporate a female-dominated animal species because The Hive is owned by women.

“I chose a bee,” Tollefson says.

caitlin boyle • photo by andrea paulseth

juicy grilled chicken, sesame ori“Then I just toyed around with ental dressing, chow mein noodles, different names and settled on The shredded carrots, water chestnuts, Hive! I liked that it was short and mozzarella, romaine, sweet, and it sounded and sunflower seeds. like a place I would The drink menu want to hang out in.” is also popular, and Choosing an entrée THE HIVE features Grounds and might be hard because (715) 833-2233 Hounds coffee, which flatbreads, salads, sandwww.thehivecv.com donates a percentage of wiches, and rice bowls thehivecv@gmail.com profits toward animal are also on the menu. rescue. For non-cofThe Hive offers three fee drinkers, the very rice bowls: BBQ Ranch, popular Pomegranate Nacho Chicken, and the Paradise is a refreshing way to stay Sesame Oriental bowl. The Sesame cool in the end-of-summer heat.

Oriental features jasmine rice with

Chippewa Falls

Food Truck-Formed-Restaurant Features Fair Food IF YOU’RE MISSING FRIED FAIR FOODS, LOOK NO FURTHER than Chippewa Falls’ new hit restaurant, Anderson’s Chic-n-Fish (615 W. Park Ave.) This family-owned business began as a dream of John Anderson, who initially began vending at local fairs when his children were extremely young. “I was basically born into it,” said Tiffany Nesja, Anderson’s daughter. “I always got to travel around all the fairs when I was younger… I always had a blast.” About 15 years ago, Anderson became exhausted by the late nights and long hours of the concessions business and shifted gears to selling used cars. But, one day, he decided enough was enough, and he followed his dream of opening a restaurant, building much of the inside of his restaurant with his own two hands. The timing couldn’t have been better. When the pandemic hit in March, and their doors opened in April, many concession events were canceled. “If it wasn’t for this, I haven’t done any events with the concessions,” Anderson said. During their first Friday Fish Fry, they had folks lined out the door, hungry for some good eats. Everyone knows the Anderson family for the fair foods, so they have a “Just Like the Fair” section on their menu, specifically for fresh-batter cheese curds, gyros, cotton candy, hand-dipped corn dogs, and funnel cakes. In the fall, they’ll also have caramel apples. But, they have even more than just your average fair food: they have chic-n-strip buckets, shrimp dinners, fish dinners, cornbread, chicn-buckets, and chic-n-fish dinners – all available like a fast-food restaurant with take-out and outdoor dining options. “If you’ve ever run a concession stand,” Anderson said, “everything else looks easy.” You can check out more of Chic-n-Fish’s delicious eats at chic-n-fish.com. –Rebecca Mennecke

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PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

C&J’S CANDY STORE, MENOMONIE

Sweets

5 Local Candy Shops To Sweeten Up Your Fall words by

hayley jacobson

LOOKING TO SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH? With the autumnal season creeping up on us, we asked one of our V1 interns to round up our favorite local candy shops for hungry Vallians looking for something to satisfy their sweet tooth.

1. SWEET DRIVER CHOCOLATE CREATIONS • This sweet shop is ready to get you going with scones in the morning and caramel for an afternoon snack. With a selection ranging from scones, donuts, cookies, to ice cream and handmade chocolates, there’s something for everyone.

2. C&J’S CANDY STORE • This candy store has plenty of options for those craving exotic candies, offering sweets from more than 30 countries around the world. They also have a slew of American classics as well. From vintage, to uncommon, and close-to-home, CJ’s Candy Store has a bunch of goodies waiting for you.

3. MARION’S LEGACY • Marion’s Legacy prides itself on its handmade chocolates made in downtown St. Paul. These chocolates are made with real, high-quality cocoa and local cream and butter. By their words, they make sinfully delicious chocolate truffles, which come in multiple flavors.

4. CHIPPEWA CANDY SHOP • Chippewa Candy Shop offers a selection of over 60 different candies. They sell a variety of chocolates, gummies, taffy, and hard candies, multi-flavored gummy bears, licorice coins, and a variety of chocolate fruits.

5. CASEY’S CREAMERY • With a wide selection of handmade popcorn, ice cream, and pastries, Casey’s has you covered if you’re craving something sweet, salty, or a mix.

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Now, working in the Eau Claire restaurant, Wamsley has acquired recognition for his fan-favorite culinary style, and emphasis on the community he serves.

Wamsley filled the number one spot for “Best Chef” in Volume One’s “Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll” of 2020.

NO, HE’S NOT A MURDERER, HE’S A CHEF! But Wamsley does know how to handle a good knife ...

Profile

CULINARY EXCELLENCE S H AW N WA M S L E Y, J O H N N Y ’ S I T A L I A N S T E A K H O U S E words by

evelyn nelson •

photos by

andrea paulseth

FOOD MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO EVERYONE. For Shawn Wamsley, executive chef at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, food means the opportunity to bring people, family, and culture together around a plate of food. “My first profound memory that has continued to inspire me was when I was five or six years old,” Wamsley said.

“My mom was home sick so I attempted to make her a grilled cheese with soup. Though I burnt the grilled cheese, the joy it brought my mom that I’d cooked something for her encapsulates the emotion I strive for in pursuing my passion for food.”

Cocktails

Drinks Well With Others: Local Cocktail Enthusiast Offers Tips on Making Cocktails From Home MY MOM RECENTLY GIFTED ME A MAGNET THAT SAYS “DRINKS WELL WITH OTHERS!” Ever since mid-March, that phrase has been taunting me as I reach for another bottle of wine to be polished off within the evening’s end. By myself.

There are both pro’s and con’s to staying home to drink. Objectively, beer tastes better out of a tap and in a pitcher shared with your friends. Most of us do not have a dart board or pool table to play bar games.

There is generally less potential for adventure while drinking at home. However, some of my favorite times staying at home recently have been while drinking by myself or with a friend or two. Free pouring is all I know these days. I can listen to whatever music I want to and never have to wear pants. This is the most free I’ve ever been. Creating cocktails has become my creative outlet of choice. If you’re like me, and chilling at home wondering what the perfect drink is to cheer you up, I’ve got just the thing for you: a classic Old Fashioned (but made how you like it because you’re the best bartender in the place!) So grab a bottle and fire up the Zoom happy hour and drink safely! You just need 2 oz (or more) of whiskey or bourbon, mixed with ½ oz of simple syrup. Toss In two or three dashes of aromatic bitters, and serve over ice or neat in whatever glass you have clean because – hey! – you’re your own barback now. –Kessa Albright Each issue of Volume One will feature a rotating column featuring the newest, the latest, and the neatest in the world of wine, beer, and cocktails.

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“My personal style is a blend of Midwestern, French, and Southern,” Wamsley said. “My most popular style of food is essentially anything red meat, which lines up perfectly for Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse. Perfection is almost impossible, but that’s what we strive for, and, in my opinion, that’s what we deliver.”

Since the pandemic, Wamsley has experienced a number of obstacles that affect his own culinary passion and the engagement with customers.

“We have learned to adapt and endure,” Wamsley said. “There are so many difficulties with the virus, some of the most important factors we focus on; The safety of our team and guests, delivering exceptional products, and the ability to adapt and be creative in finding solutions.

Our nature as a team is to rise to the challenge and exceed expectations.”

To find more information on upcoming events at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse and Shawn Wasmley’s select menu, visit johnnysitaliansteakhouse. com/eau-claire.

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Pantry

Demand For Dinner: Menomonie + Eau Claire See More Need To Feed words by

rebecca mennecke •

photo by

allie emerson

said. “We could be doing this kind NUMEROUS MENOMONIE- AND EAU CLAIREof thing for months yet. We would BASED COMMUNITY DINNER organizahope that that’s not the case, but we tions have seen a skyrocket in need don’t know. No one knows.” for meals during pandemic times.

Most people who come to their In March 2019, the Eau Claire dinners are families and elderly folks, Community Table gave out 2,718 though they get the occasional sinmeals, according to TJ Atkins, gle folks looking for a home-cooked executive director. In March 2020, meal. Since the pandemic, however, they gave out 2,438 meals. In July there’s been an increase of families 2019, they gave out 2,824 meals. and younger people stopping by and In July 2020, they gave out 2,904. requesting extra meals, which they Their highest spike was in May then take to their homebound friends of 2020, which saw an increase in and neighbors. demand by 1,149 meals as compared “If you’re soft-hearted, it brings to May 2019. From March to July, tears to your eyes,” Schmelzle said. demand for community suppers Menomonie’s at the Tuesday Wednesday Table Community Table – based out of at St. Joseph’s Christ Lutheran Catholic Church T H E O N LY Church – has in Menomonie also seen a vast skyrocketed from T H I N G T H AT I S increase in the 251 meals to 667 demand for dinmeals over a CONSISTENT IS ners. In February, span of a month, their monthly with a weekly INCONSISTENCY meal average was average from 88. In July, their 62.75 meals to –THOMAS SCHMELZLE, VOLUNTEER average was 176.

133 meals.

They’ve served as The coronamany as 203 peovirus pandemic ple, according to has completely volunteer Cindy Hoeflein. changed the structure and model “We just keep going until we’re of Menomonie’s Tuesday Table, out of food,” Hoeflein said, “and which was founded by Ed and Joy that’s as good as we could do.”

Smith about 14 years ago, accordEven then, they often rely on ing to long-time volunteer Thomas previously frozen meals or leftovers Schmelzle – similar to the other from Tuesday’s Community Table dinner organizations. Instead of to help them out, Hoeflein said. dining in, many of the meal orgaShe suspects much of the increase nizations offer drive-up or walk-in in demand is as a result of a loss of meals in a to-go style. jobs and furloughs due to COVID-19.

“The only thing that is consis“They don’t know what’s coming tent is inconsistency,” Schmelzle

DEMAND FOR DINNER. Local community tables have seen an increase in need since early March. at them tomorrow,” Hoeflein said.

“We want to make sure nobody goes without.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, the Thursday Community Table at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church has seen an increase from serving 41 meals a week to serving up to 96 meals – with an average of about 65 meals a week

– all with only two cooks in the kitchen. Ordinarily, they would have anywhere from 12-15 volunteers to help out – often scouting groups and campus groups pitching in too. “We’re just very happy to be able to provide this service for our community,” Schmelzle said. “It’s a no-questions asked, everybody who comes to the door gets a meal or more.”

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Leisure Recreation

ROCKING IT MO ON R I SE A E R I A L S BU I L D S BIG GE R B O U L D E R I N G WA L L , E X PA N D S T H E E C CL I M BI NG COM M U N I T Y words by

rebecca mennecke •

photos by

andrea paulseth

His ultimate goal is to create a THE NEW LOCATION OF MOONRISE AERIALS thriving climbing community in the FEATURES a 13- foot-tall bouldering Chippewa Valley. wall with snazzy new holds, more Though the studio had a boulderspace for aerial silks and hammocks, ing wall previously, they’ve expanded greater load-bearing rigs, and – perit to cover almost the entire space, haps most telling of their new vibe – a with a mostly horizontal wall for neon sign with one word: badass. beginning boulBecause that’s dering. They what Michelle hope to install an Anthony’s new adjustable verBanbury studio W E R E A L LY tical option for space is – badass. more challenging With more wiggle WA N T T O B U I L D climbs. room – and a little Graceheart – bit of creativity – A COMMUNITY who spends the she’s hoping to turn warmer months their new location –MICHELLE ANTHONY, OWNER OF of the year into an aerials-andMOONRISE AERIALS IN EAU CLAIRE multi-pitching, rock-climbing dual top climbing, hotspot, combining and lead climbtwo previously seping, as well as bouldering at Taylors arate communities: aerial yogis and Falls and Big Falls – plans to teach rock climbers.

Tuesday evening classes on begin“My intention is to create a space ning bouldering, with open climbs on where people can come and learn alternating Tuesdays for a few hours. and feel comfortable,” said rock For just $40 per month, members can climbing instructor Caleb Graceheart, come in to climb whenever – and he who will teach bouldering classes at means whenever – you want. the studio beginning in September.

Both aerial yoga and climbing require one fundamental skill: strength.“And then balance,” Graceheart said. Aerials student Avery Oja noticed that after she started doing aerials last June, she has gained a lot of strength. “I have just gotten so much more stronger,” Oja said. “It’s crazy.” With the addition of the bouldering wall, Oja looks to start climbing. In the past, her focus has been primarily aerials. “It’s so fun and different,” she said. “I have to

Outdoors

HOT ON THE TRAIL: FINAL GAPS FILLED TO COMPLETE 76-MILE TRAIL SYSTEM AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING AND EFFORT, SIX LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE NOW CONNECTED by 76 miles of trails, encompassing the Red Cedar, Old Abe, and Chippewa River state trails. The now-continuous route runs through scenic, suburban, and downtown areas of Menomonie, Durand, Eau Claire, Lake Hallie, Chippewa Falls, and Cornell. The two final links in the chain were recently completed: One 0.75-mile section of trail was created in conjunction with the reconstruction of Park Avenue in Chippewa Falls, while the other project filled in 1.65 miles of trail in Chippewa Falls and Lake Hallie.

Both projects were designed by the City of Chippewa Falls, according to Jackie Boos, tourism director for the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce. The project was first approved in 2012 with the final grant for the trail connection project awarded in 2017.

Now that the final gaps have been filled, bikers can travel entirely by pedal power on paved trails from Menomonie to Cornell! For a PDF map of the entire system, visit tinyurl.com/ChippewaValleyTrails. –Hayley Jacobson

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put all of my focus into it.”

To join Moonrise Aerials, there’s an introductory deal for two aerials classes for $25 with a $15 drop-in fee with unlimited open studios per month.

“We’re really beginner-friendly,” Anthony said. “We really want to build a community.”

For more info, check Moonrise out at www.moonriseaerials.com or by contacting them at (715) 450-7111 or moonriseaerials@gmail.com.

Outdoors

Chippewa Valley Treasure Hunters Get Another Shot at $1,000 Prize words by

rebecca mennecke

IF YOU MISSED YOUR SHOT AT FINDING $1,000 IN THE LAST CHIPPEWA VALLEY TREASURE HUNT, have no fear! The second Chippewa Valley Treasure Hunt, hosted by local treasure hunter Etrayu Fitzgerald, will begin at 8:30am on Sept. 22, giving you a shot at finding some spectacular treasure – and winning $1,000. “While I want this to be an annual event, people have been calling for a second one in the autumn,” said Fitzgerald, an avid treasure hunter. “Depending on how the pandemic continues, there may be additional hunts in the coming months to keep people busy and engaged.” And, it seems people are already excited. “Dang it,” one local commented on the Facebook announcement. “I got up this morning thinking it was the day, just to discover I am a month off.” Similar to the first hunt, which was held in July, the item to look for will be something small – likely another stone – which is yet to be officially determined. Clues will be posted to the Chippewa Valley Treasure Hunt Facebook page and group, with an image showing hunt boundaries and rules. “Be creative,” Fitzgerald advised, “keep an open mind about the clues, and while you’re waiting for the hunt to start, try to get familiar with public lands and parks in the Chippewa Valley!” Stay up-to-date on the Chippewa Valley Treasure Hunt Facebook page. –Rebecca Mennecke

Recreation

Riverfront Park Wins Statewide Award as Best Public Improvement CHIPPEWA FALLS’ NEW (WELL, NEW-ISH!) RIVERFRONT PARK has just received a statewide honor: The park was chosen as the Best Public Improvement Project by the Wisconsin Main Street program. Chippewa Falls Main Street received the award in recognition of the community’s investment in Riverfront Park. The park, located along the Chippewa River and Duncan Creek at the entrance to Chippewa Falls’ historic downtown, is the result of years of effort and $15 million in public and private investment. While it was the site of fur trading and lumbering in Chippewa Falls’ early years, the area that is now the park was largely neglected for decades, in part because it flooded frequently. The creation of Riverfront Park in recent years was the culmination of a multistep process that began with the construction of a new hotel, an office building, and a new chamber of commerce nearby. According to Wisconsin Main Street, “The next step was to integrate environmentally-friendly parking and transportation routes into the floodplain areas. The final phase required input from the entire community to make the park as active as possible, with fountains, an amphitheater, pavilions, trails, fishing piers, and more.” The finishing touches were put on the park in 2019, just in time for the city’s 150th birthday. Wisconsin Main Street noted that the park project was part of an overall effort that has driven the value of the downtown Business Improvement District up by more than $26 million. “Today, as you crest the bridge,” they wrote, “it is no longer an eyesore, but a grand entrance to this great historic downtown.”

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Family

Activities

SEW MUCH TO DO, SEW LITTLE TIME CHIPPEWA VALLEY QUILT SHOW FEATURES 200+ QUILTS words by

rebecca mennecke •

photo by

andrea paulseth

in entering a quilt in the show, they can fill out an entry form at www. stitchingpals.com or by contacting Bev Woldhuis at bwoldhuis71@gmail.com. opportunity to see about 200 of them “You become a part of these at this year’s Chippewa Valley Quilt people’s families after you have Show from 9am-4pm on Oct. 3 and joined a quilt group,” Jensen said, 4 at the Northern Wisconsin State “you cry with Fairgrounds. them at their loss“Quilting is es, you celebrate very relaxing, their good times, and gives you a you learn to care sense of accomTHE HUNT FOR THE about each other. plishment once You trade fabric, you finish a projP E R F E C T FA B R I C , patterns, good ect,” said Bessie Jensen, chairperC O L O R , O R PAT T E R N times and bad.”

This year, son of the show. there won’t be “There are so IS HALF THE FUN. any food or fundmany patterns and –BESSIE JENSEN, CHAIRPERSON OF THE raisers at the ideas out there, CHIPPEWA VALLEY QUILT SHOW show, but there they need explorwill be fun raffle ing. The hunt for giveaways. This the perfect fabric, is a great chance to bring kids along color, or pattern is half the fun.” to learn about the art of sewing and This is the sixth annual quilt quilting. show, presented by the Stitching Pals “This group does this like a wellQuilt Group in Chippewa Falls. It oiled machine,” said new member will feature between 10-12 vendors.

Cindy Seipel.

If additional quilters are interested

CREATING A QUILT IS A LITTLE LIKE CREATING A MASTERPIECE, and you’ll have the

Events

KID PICKS: 3 AWESOME FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS 9.22

POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM VIRTUAL SEMINAR

Sep 22, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 at 6-7:30pm • Virtual seminars for all parents of children ages 0-12. Gain tools to help you deal with problem behavior, encourage desirable behavior, grow more confident as a parent, and take care of yourself. Hosted online by the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

9.26

DRIVE-IN MOVIES AT THE SEYMOUR BALL CLUB

Sep. 12 “Jurassic Park” at 9pm • Sep. 26 “Sing” at 4 & 7pm • Hosted at the Seymour Ball Club in Eau Claire (6500 Tower Drive), CV-Drive in plays these family-friendly movies. On Sep. 12, the original Jurassic Park will light up the screen with terrifying monsters. And on Sep. 26, catch the animated movie Sing about a bunch of animals that enter a singing competition. Buy your tickets online at topeventswi.com.

9.26

GO PAINT! CHIPPEWA VALLEY YOUTH QUICK PAINT

Sep. 26 • Haymarket Plaza at the Pablo Center • 10am-2pm • Young painters have two hours to paint the flora, fauna, and folks of nearby Phoenix Park. Prizes awarded.

Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies, or use those provided for free. Art instructors will be present to assist with supplies.

This event is part of the GO Paint!

Chippewa Valley event.

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SHINE A LIGHT. Backstage at the Pablo Center is hardly the bustling place it once was. With theaters and performance venues gone dark, the local arts scene is hurting.

We talked to a bunch of folks from the Chippewa Valley arts community about their paths forward.

Turn the page for more.

Features PHOTO BY JOEL PEARISH

Story

Fall Harvest

Beer+Cheese

A PANDEMIC SHAKES UP THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY ART WORLD

CRUNCHING LEAVES, COOL BREEZE, WE CELEBRATE FALL IN THE VALLEY

A SPECIAL FEATURE HONORING WISCONSIN’S FINEST DELICACIES

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FEATURE STORIES • PHOTO ESSAYS • SPECIAL SECTIONS FEATURES EDITOR: REBECCA MENNECKE

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LIGHTS OUT * * *

revenue loss, furloughs, & closures have shaken the local art world – yet Chippewa Valley arts venues get creative & march forward

story by E R I C C H R I S T E N S O N + T O M G I F F E Y + R E B E C C A M E N N E C K E photography by A N D R E A PA U L S E T H + J O E L P E A R I S H

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To say the absolute least ... ... It’s been a tough year for music venues, theaters, galleries, and the artists that fill those places with joy and passion. In fact, it might be the worst ever. For the last six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has flattened the typically-thriving Chippewa Valley arts scene, and all but forced it to go dark. Gathering for the sake of art isn’t just a pasttime, it’s its own category of the human experience.

And we’ve had to learn to live in that darkness, with few signs of relief on the horizon. “Art is the heart and soul of a community,” said Jo Ellen Burke, president of the Eau Claire Public Arts Council. “Keeping a community healthy requires respect for the importance of art – for joy, for inspiration, for healing, and for connecting with others.” Despite everything bad in the world, hope persists. All over the Valley, artists and facilitators are switching up the game plan, getting creative – it’s kinda what they do best – and finding new ways to connect until we can all be together again. We spoke to people all over the local arts scene about their paths forward, around, and through this phase – and what gives them the hope to keep moving forward.

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Eau Claire venues The Metro (left) and The Plus are under heavy construction while venues are shut down – an example of the many ways venue owners are investing in their post-pandemic futures.w

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MUSIC + COMEDY In mid-March, the lights went out on the music world. And at The Plus in downtown Eau Claire, they had just installed new ones: A sparkling new stage lighting fixture was installed on a Sunday, and by the end of the week, the state of Wisconsin went into lockdown – which hit bars, restaurants, and gathering places like The Plus the hardest.

The lights were a cherry on top of a number of fresh renovations completed pre-pandemic at the restaurant and venue, which included new floors and a new stage configuration for the dining room.

Now, six months later, it all sits. Owner Benny Haas and Cullen Ryan – event booker for The Plus – had shows lined up through November including Brother Ali, Open Mike Eagle, Eddie Pepitone, Emily Blue, Neil Hamburger, Mr. Chair – all of them are now scrapped.

“We’re at a crossroads of five different rocky paths,” Ryan said.

“And we’re all barefoot,” Haas added.

While comedy shows, live music, open mics, and pizza-to-share are The Plus’ bread and butter, they’ve had to get creative – like so many others – to survive.

Almost immediately, The Plus used its supply chain to set up a small grocery, selling food, supplies, dry goods, and bottles of wine from The Rev next door. The Plus’ ability to sell beer for off-premises

consumption certainly helped things, too.

But it’s a daily struggle – finding that balance between life and death when the future is still so murky. The Plus is making some upgrades in the meantime – more new floors, renovated bathrooms, an updated sound system – so that when things come back, they come back stronger than ever.

Haas’ sister venue, The Metro, is a different story completely, yet the same ethos is at play. On Feb. 22, a grease fire broke out in the kitchen at The Metro forcing the newly remodeled event venue to close indefinitely. And that was a whole month before a culture-shifting pandemic really dug in. Shows were called off, schedules were scrapped. Of the 20 weddings booked at The Metro this summer, three were rescheduled for the future; the rest had their deposits returned.

But, without the pressure to hastily

return, major reconstruction is underway – knocking out walls, cleaning up smoke damage, and prepping the venue for its next evolution. What used to be a 490-cap space will soon be 1,200 – comparable in breadth to First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Music venues, it seems, move forward.

Outdoor spots like Together Farms and Autumn Harvest Winery have kept local musicians busy all summer long performing al fresco and socially distanced. Meanwhile, Eau Claire DIY venue The Barnacle has been keeping the scene alive, inviting local bands to perform for live-streamed fundraisers benefiting different social justice causes and community aid.

Likewise, the Pablo Center at the Confluence – when it’s not doing community fundraising of its own or advocating fiercely on behalf of venues across the nation – has used its consid-

* * *

“ IT M EA N S EVERY T HIN G TO M E. IT’ S WHY I DO WHAT I DO .”

—Evan Middlesworth, Director of Artistic Programming, Pablo Center at the Confluence

erable facilities, lighting, and gear for a rather unique series of live-streamed concerts, “Pablo Streams.”

Over several installments this summer, Pablo dolled up its Jamf Theatre with lights, sound, and music for the streams, which looked and felt like honest-to-goodness, true-to-form live music shows. The only missing factor was the audience, who watched and tipped artists from the comforts of their own homes while bands played songs back to back from across the room. For Director of Artistic Programming Evan Middlesworth, that return to “normal” of setting up and executing shows – even virtually – packed an emotional punch.

“It means everything to me. It’s why I do what I do,” he said. “Setting up shows, seeing and hearing the buzz of activity beforehand, crew members climbing around the stage, musicians running last minute bits of songs and joking around before a show ... I love all that stuff and missed it dearly.”

Pablo Streams was made infinitely cooler by bypassing the Facebooks and Instagrams of the world in favor of Perigon, a streaming platform developed by Eau Claire software company WIN Technology. With the help of WIN, the shows were captured by eight different cameras and the theater’s state-of-the-art sound system.

While the pandemic, recession, and other nefarious unknowns threaten the livelihoods of the people and places where music happens, the beat goes on.

Music is love. And love finds a way.

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* * *

THEATER + PERFORMANCE Throughout 2020, many local theater venues and organizations had one collective thought: “This is not real, it’ll pass,” said Jeff McSweeney, who until last month was executive director of the Mabel Tainter Theater. “And then the dominoes just kept falling.”

Chief of their concerns is the financial impact of the pandemic on their facilities. Without their revenue – which comes primarily through performance ticket sales – many theater venues have had to furlough and cut staff, apply for grants and loans, refinance mortgages, and cut back to the bare bones. That isn’t the extent of the damage.

For example, the Mabel Tainter Theater in Menomonie – which recently celebrated its 130th anniversary – hosts some 40-50 performances, private events, and weddings every year. All that brings some 12,000 people through the doors annually and creates an $8 million economic impact to downtown Menomonie, according to McSweeney. This impact has been severely reduced because of the pandemic. The concern for the future of theater venues like the Mabel is real – and scary. “What do you do with an 130-yearold building?” McSweeney said. “What happens if any of us run out of money tomorrow? … Nobody wants to talk about it. I don’t want to talk about it.”

So how long will it be until theaters can reopen? Unlike local businesses and restaurants that can offer curbside options, “there are no options for live events,” said Wayne Marek, executive director of the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre. “There is no curbside for that.” The Mabel Tainter determined to reschedule and postpone all performances until at least November, offering limited tours in the meantime. The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild has postponed all performances to 2021. By contrast, the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre decided to proceed with temperature checks, performers

wearing clear face masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing measures in place – as well as only half their ordinary crowds.

“Is it comfortable and awesome?”

Marek asked. “No. Of course it’s not.

The alternative is that you don’t get to do anything. People would rather have the opportunity to perform safely than not do it at all.”

As did thousands of other small businesses and nonprofits, the Pablo Center at the Confluence initially benefited from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which helped it meet payroll for eight weeks. After that, however, “You’re back to the hard operating cash and you have no revenue stream to offset that,” explained Executive Director Jason Jon Anderson.

“For live event venues or sporting venues, there’s not a magic fix,” Anderson said. “Streaming entertainment is not going to be a financial fix. It helps people escape, but it will never replace 25 shows a month of a packed facility and concession sales and merch sales and the whole economic engine turning.”

In early August, the Pablo Center announced the Bridge Campaign, an effort to raise $500,000 to bridge the institution’s financial needs until December. As of the beginning of September, the community’s generosity had already brought in $315,000 toward this effort.

However, Anderson added, the campaign – combined with austerity measures – will only cover the Pablo Center’s bare operating expenses until Dec. 1. He’s hoping other assistance can help the arts center move forward through January and beyond.

In the meantime, in-person events are off the Pablo Center’s calendar until Jan. 1 at the earliest. Before they can return, government-imposed public health orders must be eased first. Next, artists must be comfortable performing. And, perhaps most importantly, audiences have to feel safe coming back, too. Anderson said that when the Pablo Center surveyed patrons in May, it found that many of them were reluctant to gather in large groups. Another survey is planned this month, and Anderson is curious to

* * *

“THERE ARE NO OPTIONS FOR LIVE EVENTS ... THERE’S NO CURBSIDE FOR THAT.” —Wayne Marek, Executive Director, Eau Claire Children’s Theatre

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The RCU Theatre at the Pablo Center (above) and The Heyde Center stage (right) sit empty. see if attitudes have shifted.

“How the community feels drives how we as businesses respond,” he said.

“Currently, the vast majority of our survey respondents (more than 80%) feel that we should be closed. … It doesn’t make sense to me to attempt to open when I know that the actual numbers don’t work out, either.”

The National Independent Venue Association – which represents 2,500 independent live music venues, promoters, and festivals throughout the U.S. – has been at the forefront of lobbying Congress to pass two proposed bills: the Save Our Stages Act and the RESTART Act. The Save our Stages Act would create a $10 billion grant program for venues, offer funding that will allow venues to survive the pandemic, and ensure no restrictions on the percentage used for payroll, offering more freedom for venue directors to use grants for costs such as rent, utilities, mortgage, PPE procurements, contractor salary, and regular maintenance. The RESTART

Act, includes up to 90% forgiveness for loans, doesn’t penalize venues that employ largely part-time employees, and ensures sufficient funding – with grants that amount equal to 45% gross revenue from 2019 with a cap of $12 million.

Anderson and the Pablo Center have been active in NIVA since the organization formed this spring. He’s hopeful that Congress will take action on these bills – or other legislation that encompasses their goals – when it comes back into session on Sept. 8.

The Wisconsin branch of NIVA is also working at the state level to push Gov. Tony Evers to allocate some of the remaining aid the state received through the federal CARES Act. Specifically, NIVA would like the state to set aside $10 million for grants to live event venues to help offset lost revenue. (On Sept. 3, Evers announced $5 million in CARES funds were being used for the new COVID-19 Cultural Organization Grant Program, which could benefit nonprofits like the Pablo Center.)

* * *

LITERARY ARTS The Chippewa Valley has played an instrumental role in creating a vibrant local literary community, with the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild hosting various writing and literary events to support local writers since its inception in 2016.

Once the pandemic hit, many of these events – such as the Priory Writers Retreat, which had been planned for the summer – went virtual with Facebook Live chats hosted by local and regional authors and interactive Q&A opportunities. And while this fall’s Chippewa Valley Book Festival was canceled, many virtual book clubs sprang up – whether through branches of the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, L.E. Phillips Memorial Library, or LGBTQ Resource Center. And many writing groups either went on a temporary hiatus or went virtual, such as the Poets of Oak Lair poetry workshop group, which went on a temporary hiatus for the fall, or local writer Katie Venit’s Writers Anonymous group, which now meets virtually. Jo Ellen Burke and Terry Meyer at 200 Main Art & Wine have sponsored virtual readings. And Ken Szymanski, the City of Eau Claire’s official writer-in-residence, recently

created a collaborative project known as Snapshots, which combines the work of local artists, musicians, and photographers into short storytelling clips.

But the ability for the literary groups to go virtual doesn’t mean they haven’t been impacted by the pandemic. Quite the contrary.

“One of my favorite parts of doing a reading is talking with the audience members afterward,” said Jan Carroll, the organizer of the 6x6 reading series, which was recently put on hiatus. “That is almost impossible to do in the same way over a computer. But, if we’re going to be dealing with COVID for several months yet, we have to continue to explore ways to make virtual literary events work better, and – because writers are creative people – I have every confidence new ideas will surface and be tried as we all look forward to returning to live, in-person meetings and presentations.”

* * *

FILM Like many other artistic activities in the Chippewa Valley, film festivals have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, with the cancellation of the second annual Red Cedar Film Festival

in Menomonie and the potential cancellation of the Eau Claire International Film Festival in Eau Claire, which is slated for Oct. 16-18.

“It definitely has been really shaky,” said Bre Ferraro, an organizer of the latter festival. “We haven’t really made a full decision yet.”

In the average year, the ECIFF receives anywhere from 70-90 submissions, Ferraro said. This year, they received between 30-50. “It’s been really tough,” Ferraro said. “It’s hard, especially to get a footing right now.”

Now in its second year, the Red Cedar Film Festival had plans to host a grand, socially-distant film festival at the Mabel Tainter, but according to Doug Mell – special assistant to the Chancellor at UW-Stout and spokesperson for the university – organizers determined it was in the best interest of the festival to cancel. Refunds were issued, and they lost critical sponsorship revenue.

“Communicating the cancelation with the filmmakers were the most difficult conversations,” Mell said. “They put years and countless resources into sharing their films with an audience, and it is an honor to be selected for a film festival. Many planned on attending the festival to see their film on a big screen.”

Though film festivals across the country have gone virtual, for true movie lovers, the experience is simply not the same as seeing a film on the big screen.

* * *

VISUAL ARTS Visual art in the Chippewa Valley, on the other hand, is blossoming – and the evidence is everywhere. With a newly reformed Eau Claire Public Arts Council – spearheaded by Jo Ellen Burke, the owner of the gallery 200 Main – and a profusion of murals going up on buildings in Eau Claire, it’s clear that the arts have not been crushed by the pandemic.

But, of course, while the proliferation of murals around town is encouraging, the truth of the matter isn’t quite so beautiful.

Take for example the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, which costs $25,000 a month to keep up and humming – which is nothing compared to larger venues, according to Executive Director Deb Johnson.

When their biggest fundraiser, Savoring the Arts (which also celebrated the institution’s 20th anniversary) was cancelled in April, Johnson estimates the center took a hit of $150,000 – roughly one-third of their annual budget.

The Heyde Center launched its House Concert Series and a new Tik Tok account during pandemic times to keep the center present and relevant.

With the help of one of their interns, they’re also launching a new podcast at the end of October titled “Ghosted.” But, despite the way they soldier onward, this is not the way they’re meant to operate.

“I’m really, really hoping that we don’t think that we don’t need live performances,” Johnson said. “We cannot replace the fact that the arts are really touching other human beings – and a lot of that has to do with being there, and being present in the moment.”

Burke, of 200 Main, says artists themselves have been impacted perhaps more than venues, as locals can’t view galleries, art supporters don’t have the extra funds, classes have been canceled, and local artists have had their income cut or eliminated because they rely on art shows, which have since been canceled.

“Arts, culture, and creativity are one of those three key sectors that drive regional economies,” Burke said.

“Any lasting damage to the creative sector will drastically undercut our culture, wellbeing, and quality of life.”

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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PHOTO BY TAYLOR SMITH

Can you feel it? The crispness in the air, the changing of the leaves ... Wait.

Is that pumpkin spice? That’s right, dear reader. It’s fall in the Chippewa Valley – one of the most beautiful seasons to be living here (we’re not biased or anything). Fill your days with outdoor hangs before winter sets in, and take in all the autumn vibes you can. We’re here to help.

presented by

T T G b “ w

g r C p t g W E G S n c p

t a b t c

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“ K AY L A T H E B R AV E ,” A 9 4 0 L B . P U M P K I N AT E N G E L’S G I A N T P U M P K I N PAT C H I N M E N O M O N I E

JACKED PUMPKINS

star ting a community of giant pumpkin growers, one pumpkin at a time WORDS: REBECCA MENNECKE

THE FIRST GIANT PUMPKIN THAT SHANNON ENGEL EVER GREW was classified as a “squash” because it was looking a little too green.

“From that day on,” he said, “I vowed I would never grow an ugly pumpkin again.”

Now an expert at giant pumpkin growing, Engel – a hobby farmer who runs Engel’s Great Pumpkin Patch and Carvings in Menomonie – has grown pumpkins as large as 1,411 pounds. To put that in perspective, the world record for giant pumpkins is 2,624 pounds and the Wisconsin record sits at 2,283 pounds.

Engel, who is a part of the River Prairie Giant Pumpkin Fest in Altoona and the Stillwater Autumn Fest in Stillwater, Minnesota, annually enters his pumpkins into competitive weigh-offs, and his massive pumpkins have pulled their weight.

“Giant pumpkin growers are some of the friendliest people,” Engel said. “We’re all competing for the same prize money, but a giant pumpkin grower will help you to beat them. … We want to see you succeed just as much as we want to succeed.”

Engel now mentors about 20 new growers who “pumpkin-911” him, he said, with last-minute questions about their pumpkins. Among those Engel mentors is Kathy Westaby, a local gardener who is

currently growing her first giant pumpkin in the Menomonie Community Garden, which she estimates will reach between 500 and 600 pounds. “It will get out of there somehow,” Westaby laughed. “I might have a pumpkin smashing party.”

GO BIG OR GOURD HOME

Growing giant pumpkins starts by knowing a local giant pumpkin grower, according to Engel, as giant pumpkins are a totally different kind of pumpkin than your run-of-the-mill jack-o’-lantern or field pumpkins, which only grow to be about 240 pounds at the most. Engel plants his seeds around the last week in April, starting them indoors. Once the seeds germinate, Engel puts the plants outside into little protective greenhouses with a microclimate to help them get a head start. Many times, giant pumpkin growers will invest in soil-heating tables to warm

•

PHOTO : AN DREA PAU L SETH

the soil, fooling plants into believing it’s actually closer to summer than it is.

By June 21 – the longest day of the year – ideally pumpkin growers want their plants two-thirds of the way grown.

Many people, upon seeing such enormous pumpkins for the first time wonder: Is it real? (Yes, it is real.)

How much MiracleGro do you feed it? (None. It’s not needed.)

How much milk do you give it?

The latter of the questions seems perhaps the strangest, but Engel said the lore grows from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book Farmer Boy – a part of the Little House on the Prairie series, in which Wilder describes a ginormous milk-fed pumpkin.

But Engel said the lore isn’t very scientific.

“That would be like you taking a bath in milk,” Engel said. “The pumpkin has no way to absorb that.” So the answer is: none.

You shouldn’t feed your pumpkin milk.

When it comes to successfully grow-

“Giant pumpkin growers are some of the friendliest people... We want to see you succeed just as much as we want to suceeed.”

-Shannon Engel, local giant pumpkin grower

ing a giant pumpkin, the key to success is in the seeds, soil, preparation, and preventative measures – and lots of luck from Mother Nature, Engel said.

Back in the old days, Engel would have eight or so people hoist the pumpkin up together to put on a palette to get the pumpkin to a weigh-off. Now, he hires out a skid-steer loader.

GIVE ‘EM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT

If the stars align, you too may grow your own ginormous pumpkin.

To start, Engel recommends reaching out to a local giant pumpkin grower and taking a tour of their patch. He also recommends getting involved with the Chippewa Valley Growers at chippewavalleygrowers.com.

“I get as much enjoyment out of them guys bringing their first pumpkin to the scale as I do weighing a personal best myself,” Engel said. “My whole goal out of that is to expand the pumpkin growing community.”

If you’re interested in seeing some jacked pumpkins in real life, check out the River Prairie Giant Pumpkin Fest in Altoona on Sept. 26, with more information available at www.rpgiantpumpkinfest.com. | SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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FALL FOR SOME GOOD SCENTS

local candlemakers make seasonal aromas WORDS: REBECCA MENNECKE

IF THERE’S ONE THING THAT snazzy new website, a social media KENNA SMITH-HOFF AND presence, and subscription box options DOUG HOFF HAVE FOUND is – not to mention a whole slew of new pretty nice about owning a candle-makscents. Recently, they launched a Glazer ing business, it’s that their house always donut-scented candle in partnership smells nice – particularly with the with Kwik Trip – since most of the autumnal and holiday candle scents Smith family has worked at the beloved beginning to make Midwestern convetheir way to local shop nience store. But that’s shelves. not the only extraor“No matter where dinary scent they’ve we go, someone is like, concocted.

‘You smell good,’ ” Both Smith-Hoff Smith-Hoff said. and Hoff love the Smith and Co. top-selling scent -Kenna Smith-Hoff, Candles – founded by “Pumpkin Pecan Smith-Hoff’s mother in Waffles,” which has a Smith and Co. Candles 2005 – opened with a nutmeg-gingery-vanilsmall-town, old-school la aroma that is “really vibe. After falling ill, Michele Smith homey,” Hoff said. They also recompassed the business onto Smith-Hoff, mend “Colonial Cupboard” and “Family who quit her full-time job at a pediatric and Friends.” Their busiest season is audental office to pursue candle making. tumn and Christmas time, and they plan Hoff, who later joined the candle-makout their fall scents in July. Some of ing business, juggles attending UWtheir seasonal scents include “Caramel Stout for a degree in psychology with Apple Butter,” “Hillbilly Homebrew,” developing new scents for the business.

“Pumpkin Soufflé,” “Caramel Cinnamon “It’s been really fun,” Smith-Hoff Latte,” “Fireside,” and “Warm Apple Pie” said. “We’ve been able to be really super – among many others. They’ve already creative with everything.” begun looking at the holiday season – Since taking over the business in and it’s only September.

January, the couple have launched a “We kind of get like scientists when

No matter where we go, someone is like, ‘You smell good.’”

SMITH & CO. CANDLES SUBMITTED PHOTO

we do it,” Smith-Hoff said. “It’s a lot of trial and error.”

Besides offering their candles in stores around Wisconsin (including The Local Store!), the pair launch unique scents in their 30- or 60-day subscription boxes, which contain a 16 oz. candle, a limited-edition 8 oz. scent, along with a room spray and a 3 oz. melt. The retail value is over $40 with shipping, but they offer it at $29.99 – which over 100 customers have taken advantage of. They also work hard to engage with customers through social media, getting an idea of what kinds of scents people would be interested in and doing a monthly live sale on Facebook.

“Our customers go kind of batty for it,” Smith-Hoff said.

They still hand-make each of their candles in small batches, with ingredients that are completely U.S.-sourced and using 100% natural soy wax to create candles that are phalate-free and safe for your home. But it’s not just making the candles that gives these two business folks a sense of purpose.

“For me, it’s the creativity,” Hoff said. “Things that you wouldn’t think would go together and they do.”

You can check out all their cool candle scents at Smith and Co. Candle’s website at smithcocandlesllc. com.

TO SPICE OR NOT TO SPICE?

love it or hate it, ’tis the season for this controversial f lavor WO R D S : B R I A N A N OVAC E K

WHETHER YOU LOVE IT OR HATE IT (AND NO ONE IS IN THE MIDDLE), pumpkin spice is making its annual appearance.

It’s about way more than just pumpkin spice lattes now. Seemingly every company tries to get in on the action. Some very strange things have been pumpkin spiced: Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles, pumpkin spice deodorant, and even pumpkin spice dog shampoo. Too far, right? Yet there are several local vendors that make pumpkin-spice flavored products that are appealing, such as Leinenkugel’s Harvest Patch Shandy, Pumpkin Spice soap from Lucy’s Goat Milk Soap (scented with a fragrance oil from Brambleberry soap supplies company), pumpkiny coffee drinks from SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar, and a pumpkin pie-scented candle from Chippewa River Candle Company (a brand exclusive at The Local Store). So what gives it that trademark pumpkin spice taste or smell? Well, Leinie’s Harvest Patch Shandy is flavored with nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Do we even like pumpkin or just the spices we usually flavor it with, i.e. cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg? The mystery of pumpkin spice and its simultaneous allure and hatred may be one we never solve. All we know is, its return is how we know summer is officially over.

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TRACKING AUTUMN ONLINE let the Wisconsin Fall Color Repor t b e y o u r g u i d e t o f a l l ’s f i n e s t WORDS: TOM GIFFEY

INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOO OFTEN KEEPS KIDS (and – let’s be honest – grownups as well) sedentary and glued to their screens.

But it can also be helpful in getting us into the great outdoors. If you need motivation to get you driving, hiking, or paddling out in Wisconsin’s annual autumnal explosion of color, check out Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report: www.travelwisconsin.com/ fall-color-report.

With the help of 100 color spotters across all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, the state Department of Tourism creates an ever-changing, clickable map to help users discover when and where leaves are reaching their colorful crescendos. As of early September, the

most spectacular displays were expected in the Chippewa Valley during the third week of October, while the peak was predicted a week or two earlier around northwoods communities such as Cable and Hayward.

In addition to pointing out peak color, the website also allows users to find nearby events, activities, restaurants, and lodging. Scroll around and you’ll also find local weather conditions, see fall color photos posted by other users, and even learn the locations of selfie stands that will help you record your adventures.

Visitors can also sign up for email alerts, so if you’re hitting the road, don’t “leaf” home without your smartphone.

(Sorry, couldn’t resist!)

CHILLY AIR, WARM SOUP

C h i c ke n a n d L e n t i l S o u p a p e r f e c t f a l l r e c i p e WO R D S : B R I A N A N OVAC E K

AS WE BEGIN TO LEAVE THE HEAT OF SUMMER BEHIND AND FEEL THE CRISPNESS OF FALL IN THE AIR, our cooking often changes along with the weather. Try out this comforting autumnal recipe of Chicken and Lentil Soup. It combines a way to use up some of that late-summer produce with a warm broth that we know you’re more than ready to dig into.

CHICKEN AND LENTIL SOUP 1.

2.

3.

In a large soup pot, sauté one small, diced onion and a few cloves of minced garlic in one tablespoon of olive oil for a few minutes over medium heat.

Add a couple of diced potatoes and three sliced carrots to the pot. Sauté for a few more minutes until the onion is tender.

Add one bag of dry lentils, a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce, four cups of chicken broth (or

4.

5.

vegetable broth to make vegetarian), one cup of chopped cooked chicken, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Tasty additions to add are chopped fresh tomatoes, greens (kale, spinach - any you have will do!), and/or zucchini.

Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until everything is cooked.

Top with Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, if desired.

Enjoy! | SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

AUTUMNAL BLISS LISTINGS BY JAMES JOHONNOTT PHOTO BY TAYLOR SMITH

ORCHARDS

Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard 19947

Cty Hwy J, Chippewa Falls • (715) 720-1663 • autumnharvestwinery.com During the fall season, apples and pumpkins can be purchased or you can pick your own, hard cider, enjoy wagon rides and a free corn maze. Year-round you can sample wine, chocolates, cheeses, and relax on the patio.

AVEnue Orchard 6700 Highway 53, Eau Claire •

(715) 835-5141 • aveappleorchard.com Producing at least 15 types of apples, three types of plums, two types of pears, and more. Orchard shop features jams, jellies, ciders, butters, and more.

Blueberry Ridge Orchard E2795 Hageness Rd., Eleva • (715) 287-3366 • contact@blueberryridge-orchard.com • facebook.com/blueberryridgeorchard A 25 acre blueberry orchard that offers 7 varieties of pick your own blueberries. In fall, you can buy ready-picked apples and plums.

Bushel and a Peck Market 18444 Co. Hwy OO,

Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-0133 • apples@bushelandapeckmarket.com • bushelandapeckmarket. com A family-owned, pick your own orchard over 6,000 trees that produces over 30 varies of apples, pears, plums, and raspberries. In fall they have a pumpkin patch and 2 corn mazes of different sizes. Has an on-site bakery that makes pies from scratch, a gift shop, a country store that sells jams jellies, honey, crafts, and more. Enjoy pie and a glass of wine on the patio.

Connell’s Family Orchard 19372 Co. Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-5889 • connellsfamilyorchard.com Forty acres of fruit and veggies. Pick tart cherries, blueberries in July, and apples starting in August. Pies, ice cream, carameled apples, jams, honey, and salsas are also available.

Dixon’s Apple Orchard & Wedding Venue Cadott

• 715-313-0315 • dixonsapples.com/apples/ Dixon’s is home of the world famous Champagne Apple, a juicy and sweet golden apple great for eating and baking. You can order their apples online or visit by appointment. They also host events and weddings in their beautiful, scenic grounds.

Ferguson’s Orchard 6470 Balsam Road, Eau

Claire • (715) 830-9370 • fergusons@morningsideorchard.com • fergusonsorchard.com/ eau-claire Stroll through a large pick-your-own orchard, pick the perfect pumpkin, and find hours of fun for all ages in the Apple Blossom Park.

Their country store offers delicious baked pastries, local jams, syrups and gifts, and caramel apples.

Check out the corn maze and look forward to the haunted house later in the season.

The Glass Orchard 130 Deerfield Road, Eau

Claire • (715) 252-0720 • theglassorchard@gmail. com • facebook.com/theglassorchardWI The glass orchard is an apple orchard and fused glass studio.

Their retail store offers pre-picked apples, pickyour-own apples, fresh apple cider, handblown glass, fused glass, local handmade art, household goods, and hosts glass classes.

Leffel Roots Apple Orchard W2369 Maple Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 514-5171 • leffelroots@gmail. com • leffelroots.com A small, family-owned and operated orchard. They sell pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, pies, caramel apples, and host a fall corn maze.

Niblett’s Apple Shed 18027 Cty Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • facebook.com/NiblettsAppleShed/ Raises 23 varieties of apples. Pick your own, or pre-picked apples. Pre-picked pumpkins. Wagon rides, mini golf, picnic area, tours, apple slingshot and more attractions. Country store that sells salsa, syrups, dressings, flavored butter, honey, crafts, and more.

CORN MAZES

Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-5889 • connellsfamilyorchard.com

Cty Hwy J, Chippewa Falls • (715) 720-1663 • autumnharvestwinery.com

Claire • (715) 830-9370 • fergusons@morningsideorchard.com • fergusonsorchard.com/eauclaire

Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard 19947

Bushel and a Peck Market 18444 Co. Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-0133 • apples@ bushelandapeckmarket.com • bushelandapeckmarket.com

Ferguson’s Orchard 6470 Balsam Road, Eau

Claire • (715) 830-9370 • fergusons@morningsideorchard.com • fergusonsorchard.com/eauclaire

Govin’s Meats & Berries N6134 670th St,

Menomonie • (715) 231-2377 • govinsmeatsandberries.com

Klinger Farm Market12756 132nd St, Chippewa Falls • (715) 288-6348 • klingerfarmmarket.com Leffel Roots Apple Orchard W2369 Maple Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 514-5171 • leffelroots@gmail. com • leffelroots.com Valley Pasture Farm E7631 N County Road E,

Elk Mound • (715) 256-7676 • valleypasturefarm. com

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard 19947

Cty Hwy J, Chippewa Falls • (715) 720-1663 • autumnharvestwinery.com

Bushel and a Peck Market 18444 Co. Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-0133 • apples@ bushelandapeckmarket.com • bushelandapeckmarket.com

Connell’s Family Orchard 19372 Co. Hwy OO,

Ferguson’s Orchard 6470 Balsam Road, Eau

Govin’s Meats & Berries N6134 670th St, Menomonie • (715) 231-2377 • govinsmeatsandberries.com Klinger Farm Market 12756 132nd St, Chippewa Falls • (715) 288-6348 • klingerfarmmarket.com

Leffel Roots Apple Orchard W2369 Maple Rd.,

Eau Claire • (715) 514-5171 • leffelroots@gmail. com • leffelroots.com

Lowes Creek Tree Farm S9475 Lowes Creek Road, Eleva • (715) 878-4166 • lowescreektreefarm.com Niblett’s Apple Shed 18027 Cty Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • facebook.com/NiblettsAppleShed/

Schultz’s Country Barn 50996 N. Main St., Eleva • (715) 287-4684 • schultzscountrybarn.com

Valley Pasture Farm E7631 N County Road E,

Elk Mound • (715) 256-7676 • valleypasturefarm. com

LOCAL FOOD MARKETS

Jacobson’s Market & Scoops 17183 50th Avenue, Chippewa Falls • Find it on Facebook Jacobson’s is a local grocery store in Chippewa Falls that specializes in meats of all kinds. They recently opened an ice cream counter for all of your chilled, summer dairy desires.

Just Local Food 1117 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire • (715) 552-3366 • justlocalfood.coop For over

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twelve years the co-op has focused on sourcing from and nurturing relationships with local farmers and producers of high quality, natural, and organic foods for our community. They are dedicated to providing our customer-owners and community access to high quality local, organic, and natural foods – all at a fair price.

Klinger Farm Market 12756 132nd St., Chippewa

Falls • (715) 288-6348 • klingerfarmmarket@ yahoo.com • klingerfarmmarket.biz In addition to 18 greenhouses full of flowers, vegetable plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, water plants, and house plants, Klinger offers a swath of freshly grown produce, home and garden ornaments, bird baths, jams, honeys, and organic gardening products. They are open year round.

Menomonie Market Food Co-op 814 Main St. East, Menomonie • (715) 235-6533 • mmfc. coop Located in downtown Menomonie, this co-op stocks a wide variety of locally sourced meats such as beef, buffalo, chicken, heirloom pork, brats & sausages, lamb, and fresh, local seafood.

Offers a wide variety of seasonal produce, cheeses, dairy items, breads, spirits, and more grocery items. They have a deli, serving up fresh cuts and sandwiches, and they teach classes focusing on wellness, foraging, nutrition, and cooking.

Rump’s Butcher Shoppe 1411 Lynn Ave., Altoona

• rumpsbutchershoppe.com Enjoy local meats, cheeses, domestic and craft beers, wines, spices & more. Pick up pre-build freezer paks of meat, meat & cheese trays, and check out their specials. They also offer wild game processing.

Sokup’s Market 624 N Bridge St., Chippewa Falls

• (715) 723-4953 • Find this business on Facebook HERE Located in Downtown Chippewa Falls.

Fresh meat, cheese & produce. The best prices around for great quality. Family owned and operated for over 100 years.

Yellowstone Cheese 24105 County Highway

MM, Cadott • yellowstonecheese.com Yellowstone Cheese offers homemade cheeses, wine, jams & jellies, mustards, maple syrup, gifts, take-n-bake pizzas, and so much more. They pride themselves on using milk from the Kenealy farm to create the over 30 flavors of cheese.

WINERIES 65 Vines 1105 Coulee Trail • (651) 245-3400 • info@65vines.com • 65vines.com A family owned vineyard and winery. Visit their grounds, join their Barrel Club, check out their tasting events, try some bottles and even join their “Adopt-A-Vine” program.

Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard 19947 Cty

Hwy J, Chippewa Falls • (715) 720-1663 • winer@ autumnharvestwinery.com • autumnharvestwinery. com Produces 13 varieties of wine including many wines using fruit from their orchard, and a hard cider. Enjoy complimentary wine tasting, sample local cheeses and chocolates, relax on the outdoor patio seating, or peruse the gift shop. Enjoy the beautiful sights of blooming apple trees, flowers and an abundance of wildlife.

Bella Vinez Winery W10829 875th Avenue, River Falls • bellevinez.com A family owned and operated wine destination in beautiful western Wisconsin, this Tuscan-style winery is set directly in the heart of the vineyard. Guests can enjoy a wide range of wine options and a small bite to eat from our brick oven or expansive appetizer menu.

Bemis Bluff Custom Fruit Wines E2960 Hageness

Rd, Eleva • (715) 828-2344 • facebook.com/BemisBluff Winery, vineyard, and wine bar. Enjoy up to 3 samples of their custom fruit wines. Purchase a glass and enjoy all of their wines.

Brambleberry Winery N3684 Claire Rd., Taylor •

(608) 525-8001 • info@brambleberrywinery.com • brambleberrybandb.com A small artisanal winery tucked into the beautiful rolling hills of Western Wisconsin, not far from the Great River Road.

Also featuring a bed and breakfast.

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Branches Winery E6796 Old Line Rd., Westby • (608) 634-9463 • brancheswinery@gmail. com • brancheswinery.com Producing wine from estate-grown grapes. The cheerful and friendly tasting room is surrounded by vineyard views and offers tastings plus wine by the glass or bottle. A menu of appetizers highlights local cheeses and regional delights.

Chateau St. Croix Winery & Vineyard 1998A State Rd. 87, St. Croix Falls • (715) 483-2556 • chateaustcroix.com From Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel, winemaker Troy Chamberlin makes all of his award-winning red wines ‘oh so flavorful’. Distinct in flavor, bold in color, heavy on the palette, and speaking for themselves.

Danzinger Vineyards & Winery S2015 Grapeview Lane, Alma • (608) 685-6000 • danzingervineyard. com Fifteen acres perched atop the Alma Bluffs in Buffalo County overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River. They use Frontenac, Prairie Star, St Pepin, La Crescent, La Crosse, Frontenac Gris, St Croix and Marquette for their wines, and also have fruit wines available.

Elmaro Vineyard N14756 Delaney Rd., Trempealeau • (608) 534-6456 • lynita@elmarovineyard. com • elmarovineyard.com Nestled in the Mississippi River Valley, this winery’s unique location makes for beautiful scenery and ideal conditions for cold, hearty vines.

Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery 3460 Mall

Drive, Eau Claire • (715) 895-8020 • infinitybeverages.com A winery and distillery producing a wide range of innovative and unique wines and spirits.

Tasting room offers wine flights, spirit tastings, wine by the glass, and specialty cocktails including the two time “Best of the Chippewa Valley” winning cocktail the Summer Heat. Live music, all day happy hour on Thursday, and sangria Sundays.

Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery W12266 King Ln., Stockholm • (715) 448-3502 • info@maidenrockwinerycidery.com • maidenrockwinerycidery. com Presenting a unique collection of premium hard ciders & fruit wines, from fresh local fruit, flavored by Wisconsin. Their grape wines include Stockholm Red, Stockholm White, and Frontenac Nouveau – as well as a grape-apple blend, Apfelwein.

Munson Bridge Winery & Vineyard W6462

Bridge Rd., Withee • (715) 229-4501 • sales@ munsonbridgewinery.com • munsonbridgewinery. com Located in Wisconsin’s heartland, MBW offers a large variety of fruit wines including raspberry, elderberry, boysenberry, plum, blackberry, crabapple, and cranberry wines, plus maple syrup wine and many other seasonal favorites.

O’Neil Creek Winery 15369 82nd St., Bloomer •

(715) 568-2341 • oneilcreekwinery.com O’Neil Creek Winery was built in the heart of the Chippewa Valley by Joe and Dorinda Wynimko featuring an assortment of fruit wines that are crisp and refreshing. Come and enjoy the scenery along with the relaxing atmosphere on our patio while you have a glass of wine.

River Bend Winery & Distillery 10439 33rd Avenue, Chippewa Falls • (715) 720-9463 • riverbendvineyard.com Visitors to the Tasting Room enjoy complimentary samples and may purchase wine by the glass or by the bottle. Gourmet foods, gifts and accessories for the wine enthusiast are also available. Attendees enjoy the view from a comfortable patio overlooking the vines.

Seven Hawks Vineyard 17 North St., Fountain

City • (608) 687-9463 • sevenhawksvineyards. com Seven Hawks Vineyard includes almost 18,000 northern hybrid grape vines and 500 plum and cherry trees, making them one of the largest vineyards in the upper Midwest. Wines are local, hand pruned, hand tended, and hand harvested, with free tastings available for walk-ins.

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ICONS COLLIDE in this, our most Wisconsin-y of special features. Jordan & Pippen, Batman & Robin, Beer & Cheese ...

No Wisconsinite’s table is set without them. No local get-together is as sweet.

No Upper Midwestern life is truly lived without them at our side. So with this feature, we raise both glass and toothpick – and we celebrate. Go Pack.

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RAISING A GLASS TO WISCO’S BEST

DISCOVER WISCONSIN EXPLORES WISCONSIN’S CRAFT BEVERAGES IN NEW EPISODE W O R D S :

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S T A F F

IT’S TIME TO RAISE A GLASS TO ALL THOSE WISCONSIN BREWERS – not to mention the vintners and distillers – who have helped make 2020 more tolerable.

For much of the year, travel and gathering indoors (particularly to enjoy the beverage that made Milwaukee famous) have been severely restricted. And that means the latest episode of the Sconnie-themed tourism show, Discover Wisconsin, is particularly welcome at the moment.

The episode, titled “Wisconsin’s Craft Beverages – Raise a Glass,” premiered Sept. 5 on a network that includes dozens of broadcast and cable stations in the Upper Midwest, including WQOW-TV in Eau Claire.

(If you missed it, don’t worry; it’s available to stream through many platforms – including Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku – as well as at DiscoverWisconsin.com.)

The program shines a spotlight on numerous craft beverages and Wisconsinites who make them. For CENTRAL WATERS BREWERY those of us who (responsibly) enjoy an adult beverage now and again, the episode is sure to inspire future road trip plans (after we’ve checked all the great Chippewa Valley breweries, in the former La Crosse Footwear wineries, and distilleries off our lists, building, which brews beautiful of course). beers both traCo-host Mariah ditionally and in Haberman kicks wine barrels. off the show in La Haberman Crosse County, and Paulsen where she visits then head to the Skeleton Crew Ripon area to Brew – a laid-back experience the winery and brewstops along the ery in Onalaska – Mascoutin Valley and La Crosse DisCraft Beverage tilling Co., a distillTrail. Haberman ery specializing in first explores - E R I C P A U L S E N , field-to-glass spirVines and Rushes D I S C O V E R W I S C O N S I N its in downtown Winery, a local-foC O - H O S T, O N T H E S TA T E ’ S La Crosse. Co-host cused winery C R A F T B E V E R A G E S C E N E Eric Paulsen then that uses 100% explores two other Wisconsin-grown La Crosse County product and spots. Paulsen learns about the scibrings people together in a beautiful ence behind artisanal brews at Turtle vineyard setting. She then visits the Stack Brewery and gets a history lesHendricks Family Distillery, which son at Pearl Street Brewery located produces hand-crafted potato vodka

“IT’S A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT FOR A STATE THAT PRIDES ITSELF ON USING WHAT WE HAVE TO MAKE GREAT THINGS.”

in small batches. Paulsen stops by Rushford Meadery and Winery in Omro to taste mead, wine, and cider in their unique converted schoolhouse and finishes up his time in Ripon at the Knuth Brewing Company for some handcrafted artisan beers and wood-fired pizza.

The craft beverage adventure continues in Stevens Point with the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective.

Paulsen’s first stop is Stevens Point Brewery; established in 1857, this iconic brewery serves everything from beer to soda to hard cider and is an originator of craft beverage making in the area. Great Northern Distilling in Plover brings the sophistication of chemical engineering to their craft spirits, producing unique gins, whiskeys, and flavored liqueurs.

The next stop is Sunset Point Winery, a family-owned and operated winery with a home-away-from-home feel in downtown Stevens Point that

features unique flavors made from local grapes. Haberman wraps up the episode at Central Waters Brewery, one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the nation, which produces variety of year-round and seasonal brews.

“Wisconsin has always been a bustling bright spot for great food and drink. But the scene with craft beers, wines from Wisconsin-grown grapes, meads made with Wisconsin honey, ciders from Wisconsin-grown fruit, and spirits from Wisconsin grain showcase a boom in this industry we haven’t seen in ages,” Paulsen said. “It’s a welcome development for a state that prides itself on using what we have to make great things.

This episode offers just a sample of what visitors from neighboring states and around the world can experience in Wisconsin – in a glass. Or many glasses. I had a ton of fun learning, sampling, and enjoying!”

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INGA WITSCHER

FARM-TO-EAR

CHEESEMAKER, FARMER, AND TV HOST INGA WITSCHER’S LATEST VENTURE IS AN ‘AROUND THE FARM TABLE’ PODCAST W O R D S :

R E B E C C A

EMBRACE THE SEASONS AND EMBRACE NATURE. That’s the biggest lesson Inga Witscher – the host of the PBS hit series Around the Farm Table – has learned as a dairy farmer near Osseo, where she has been making raw milk bandaged cheddar for about 20 years. And it’s a lesson she’s bringing to her new podcast, Around the Farm Table – a companion to her television show.

Witscher co-hosts the podcast with Matt Kendziera, and together they hope to introduce listeners to area farmers and give locals a sense of their passion for growth – literally.

Witscher begins each of her podcasts by reading excerpts from her journal because she wants to convey what dairy farming is really like.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Witscher and her production team had to hit the pause button on their show, so they officially launched their podcast Sept. 9. In the first episode, Witscher chats with farmer

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M E N N E C K E

Helen Kees of Wheatfield Hill Organic Farm in Durand.

“We can’t have healthy people without healthy food,” Witscher said.

“We really get a sense for her absolute passion in growing the most nutrient-dense food possible.”

Witscher will also chat with Tony from Sacred Blossom Herb Farm in Mondovi.

“He teaches us - I N G A W the importance of diversity in the fields,” she said. “By growing a vast variety of plants, he is providing habitat and food for … important pollinators.”

Dairy farming is something that Witscher is passionate about, having grown up on a farm and owning her farm for 14 years. “My greatest passion in life is dairy farming and eat-

ing really delicious cheese,” she said.

“So it was a no-brainer to combine the two on my farm.”

In the past few years, Witscher said Wisconsin has lost more than 800 of its family dairy farms, mostly due to low milk prices. She hopes the new podcast will serve as a reminder that supporting local farmers means T S C H E R supporting our local economy, our downtown, our environment, and our own bodies.

“We should all know the people that grow our food,” she said.

“MY GREATEST PASSION IN LIFE IS DAIRY FARMING AND EATING REALLY DELICIOUS CHEESE.” I

You can find the Around the Farm Table podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

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+

CHEESY & SUDSY READS TOPICAL BOOKS FROM THE LOCAL STORE SHELVES CHEESE

cheeses in Wisconsin.

The Cheeses of Wisconsin by Jeanette Hurt ($20) Wisconsin is the dairyland of the nation, and so food writer and connoisseur Jeanette Hurt explores the most innovative and traditional artisans who embrace our statewide pride: cheese.

Wisconsin Cheese Cookbook by Kristine Hansen ($25) Tradition. Innovation. Though the words seem contradictory, Wisconsin cheese finds a way to be both.

This book explores Wisconsin’s cheese in terms of the tourist draw and homegrown character.

Wisconsin Cheese: A Cookbook and Guide to the Cheeses of Wisconsin by Martin Hintz and Pam Percy ($17) What makes Wisconsin cheese so darn good? That’s the question that Martin Hintz and Pam Percy seek to answer in their book about well-known cheddar, blue, and Swiss cheese to the lesser-known artisanal

BEER Beer Lover’s Wisconsin by Kathy Flanigan ($20) Written by a beer expert, Beer Lover’s Wisconsin covers the entire beer experience for the local enthusiast and the traveler alike, including information on brewery and beer

profiles with tasting notes, must-visit brewpubs and beer bars, top annual festivals and events, and city pub crawl itineraries with maps.

Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin’s Historic Bars and Breweries by Jim Draeger and Mark Speltz ($30) Bottoms Up showcases the architecture and history of 70 Wisconsin breweries and bars. Contemporary and historic photographs and memorabilia help tell the story of how Wisconsin came to dominate brewing – and the place that bars and taverns hold in our social and cultural history.

The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company by Paul Bialas and the Leinenkugel family ($50) Enjoy a singular photographic, historic, and auditory tour of the iconic brewery founded by Jacob Leinenkugel more than 150 years ago in 1867. See the brewery’s deep-rooted history in Chippewa Falls through historical photographs and vintage advertisements. Learn about Leinenkugel’s role in pioneering craft beer in the late 1980s, then growing their craft selection to what it is today.

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GET THE GOODS ...

L I S T I N G S

B Y

J A M E S

LOCAL BREWERIES Bloomer Brewing Company 1526 Martin Road, Bloomer • (715) 271-3967 • bloomerbrewingco. com The Bloomer Brewing Company is the town’s first brewery dating back to before prohibition. The brewery is open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, serving beer and frequently offering special guest food vendors during the summer. The brewery is available for special parties and events upon request.

Brewery Nonic 621 4th St. W, Menomonie •

facebook.com/brewerynonic A small, taproom-only, truly handcrafted brewery specializing in super fresh beers from a wide variety of influences in a historic building. Built within the old train depot building in historic downtown Menomonie, the brewery features eight taps, four of which are year-round favorites. The remaining are filled with seasonal and experimental concoctions.

The Brewing Projekt 1807 N Oxford Ave, Eau

Claire • thebrewingprojekt.com The Brewing Projekt’s mission is to craft awesome, unique, or hardto-find ales and lagers. The taproom at the Projekt is right inside of the brewery, complete with all the sights, sounds, and smells of the craft.

Chippewa River Distillery & Brewster Bros. Brewing Co. 402 W River St, Chippewa Falls • (715) 861-5100

• chippewariverdistillery.com A brewery and distillery in Chippewa Falls with a gorgeous taproom/bar and regular visits from area food trucks. Customers are also able to bring food in or order food there. Check out their rotating selection of award-winning delicious beers and high-quality spirits.

Durand Brewing Company N6649 State Highway 25, Durand • Find it on Facebook Durand Brewing Company is a new brewery that is just starting operations. It is locally owned by two veterans who love the art of brewing.

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J O H O N N O T T

FFATS Brewing Company: Nano Brewing & Tap Room Brewery: 36447 Main Street // Tap Room:

18517 Blair Street, Whitehall • ffatsbrewingco. com As a brewery, FFATS (“staff” spelled backwards) is continually seeking to find your perfect beer match for you. From Pale Ales to Dark Lagers and everything in between, they are committed to helping you find a beer just right for you. Enjoy a relaxed new environment at their TAP ROOM, which is inviting with a rustic, first-in-class feel, to socialize and meet friends.

K-Point Brewing at The Coffee Grounds 4212 South-

towne Drive, Eau Claire • (715) 834-1733 • thecoffeegrounds.com/k-point-brewing Taking its name from a ski-jumping term, this nanobrewery adjacent to the Coffee Grounds focuses on brewing small batches of beers “that are never out of style.” Enjoy one of their unique stouts, ales, or lagers paired with food from the café at the Coffee Grounds. Also hosts beer dinners, fish frys, and more.

Lazy Monk Brewing, LLC 97 West Madison Street, Eau Claire • info@lazymonkbrewing.com • lazymonkbrewing.com Step into the old world, German-style Bier Hall to try over 14 taps, a root beer, and a great atmosphere. They specialize in brewing Bohemian Beers and also have British and American seasonal beers, plus special limited edition holiday beers. Take home growlers and four-packs.

Leinenkugel’s 124 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls • 888-534-6437 • leinielodge@leinenkugels.com • leinie.com Brewing since 1867, Leinenkugel’s is one of America’s oldest craft breweries, boasting a portfolio of several distinctive, flavorful beers inspired by its natural Northwoods surroundings.

The brand has put Chippewa Falls on the map for their adventurous array of full-flavored brews in small, high-quality batches.

Lucette Brewing Company 910 Hudson Rd., Menomonie • (715) 233-2055 • lucettebrewing. com Lucette takes its name from Paul Bunyan’s girlfriend. Their brews include the Farmer’s

MARIEKE GOUDA, THORP

Daughter (a blonde ale with coriander) or a highly rated pale ale Ride Again (an ale with notes of floral and citrus), plus one-of-a-kind small-batch creations. Try their four-beer sampler flights or “guest beers” from other Wisconsin breweries.

The Woodfired Eatery serves classic house pizzas, seasonal creations, calzones, and salads.

takes its name from the Greek word for the study and practice of fermentation. Brewmaster Jonathan Christenson serves 15 taps from a raw-edge bartop.

Zymurgy is modeled to be sustainable, earth-conscious, and minimize waste creation. Many brews are made with local ingredients. 12 taps of unique creations, and non-beer options like house ginger ale.

Modicum Brewing 3732 Spooner Ave. Suite A,

Altoona • 715-895-8585 • info@modicumbrewing. com • modicumbrewing.com Local craft brewery Modicum Brewing offers a stylish taproom resting in full view of its brew tanks. They pour from a select batch of recipes developed by brewmaster Eric Rykal. Plenty of seating, room for large groups, and tasty snacks from local producers.

Northwoods Brew Pub 50819 West St., Osseo •

(715) 552-0510 • northwoodsbrewpub.com In a new, industrial-style setting, patrons at Northwoods Brewpub can enjoy changing seasonal menus and 29 handcrafted beers, as well as six sodas, all brewed on site. Covered outdoor seating will be on a massive new patio.

Oliphant Brewing 350 Main St. Suite #2, Somerset

• oliphantbrewing.com Trevor and Matt, Oliphant’s official quackers, cycloned through this brewing process to end up in Somerset, Wisconsin. Tongue firmly in cheeks, these two are crafting with a diligence previously unknown to them.

Ombibulous Brewing 1419 Winchester Way,

Altoona • Find it on Facebook The new kid on the scene, Ombibulous Brewing has a handful of classic taps: two east coast IPAs, a stout, a black lager, a honey red lager, and soon a lemon wheat.

The taproom features a prohibition-era aesthetic with dark wood and leather seating.

Real Deal Beer (At The Raw Deal) 603 S. Broad-

way St., Menomonie • (715) 231-3255 • rawdealwi.com Local UW-Stout graduate Ryan Verdon is the Raw Deal’s head brew master. The focus is on small batches brewed frequently and always fresh.

Their ingredients are non-GMO, non-irradiated and not grown on petrochemical substrates. All of our cleaners, sanitizers, and chemicals are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Rush River Brewing Company 990 Antler Ct., River Falls • rushriverbeer.com Rush River specializes in unfiltered and unpasteurized ales.

This makes for a very fresh and flavorful beer with a shorter shelf life. They are open for growler fills Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, their tap room is open Thu-Sat 4-10pm, and free tours are held the second Saturday of each month at 1pm.

Sand Creek Brewing Co 320 Pierce Street, Black River Falls • (715) 284-7553 • sandcreekbrewing. com One of Wisconsin’s largest microbreweries.

Brewers of fine craft-brewed ales and lagers in the proud tradition of Wisconsin brewing. Stop by for a tour on Friday afternoons, and Saturdays during the warmer months.

Valkyrie Brewing Company 234 Dallas St., Dallas • (715) 837-1824 • valkyriebrewery.com A small family-owned and operated microbrewery in Dallas, Wisconsin. They brew up loads of Norse mythology-inspired drafts that you can pick up in bottles or enjoy in their kitschy taproom.

Zymurgy Brewing 624 Main Street East, Menomonie • facebook.com/zymurgybrewing Zymurgy

LOCAL CHEESEMAKERS Cady Cheese Factory 126 State Road 128, Wilson • cadycheese.com Cady Cheese specializes in American-type cheeses Colby, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda made from 100% natural ingredients. Enjoy free samples of the 100+ flavors of cheeses when you visit.

Eau Claire Cheese & Deli 1636 Harding Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 834-2000 • nelsoncheese.com While it doesn’t make its own cheese, Nelson Cheese Factory is your one-stop shop for procuring the best Wisconsin brands of cheese. They serve deli-style sandwiches, ice cream, various pantry-stuffers, and even chocolates.

Eau Galle Cheese Factory N6765 State Highway 25, Durand • eaugallecheese.com Family owned since 1945, Eau Galle Cheese produces millions of pounds of cheese every year. Their asiago and parmesan have won six awards in national and international cheese competitions. They are a certified organic producer of hard Italian cheeses.

Ellsworth Creamery Cooperative 232 North

Wallace, Ellsworth • ellsworthcheese.com Nestled in Ellsworth, which was designated the “Cheese Curd Capital” in 1983. A cooperative of over 450+ dairy cow families that send milk to Ellsworth for award-winning cheese production. The Ellsworth Cheese Curds may be the pride and joy, but they also create several brands of quality cheeses such as Antonella, Blaser’s, Ellsworth Valley, and Kammerude Gouda.

Gingerbread Jersey Cheese 1025 Lincoln St.,

Augusta • 715-286-4007 A 50-cow dairy farm and cheese-making outfit that’s been in business since 1918. They have won over 25 awards in national and international cheese competitions. Visitors can watch through a gallery window as they make the cheese.

Marieke Gouda 200 W. Liberty Drive, Thorp • mariekegouda.com Marieke Gouda crafts award-winning gouda year round in 13 distinct flavors. They have a restaurant on-site that serves up burgers, sandwiches, omelets, and more. Their dairy farm is just across the highway, and cheese is made within five hours of milking. You can book tours for both the farm and the cheesemaking facility.

Yellowstone Cheese 24105 County Highway

MM, Cadott • yellowstonecheese.com Yellowstone Cheese offers homemade cheeses, wine, jams & jellies, mustards, maple syrup, gifts, take-n-bake pizzas, and so much more. They pride themselves on using milk from the Kenealy farm to create the over 30 flavors of cheese.

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Events+Guides

ONE OF THE CLASSICS. Check out some sweet rides at the Fair Food Shindig at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds on Sept. 10-13.

Snag some delicious fair food eats, then take a peek at some of the coolest classic cars in the area on Saturday and Sunday. More information is listed ahead!

PHOTO BY FRANK H. ROBINSON

Featured

Event Calendar

Guides

TAKE IN SOME OF THIS YEAR’S BEST FALL EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY BY DATE AND CATEGORY

START PACKING LIGHT FOR OUR LIST OF LOCAL HIKING TRAILS

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EVENTS CALENDAR • BEST BETS • COMING UP NEXT • GUIDES EVENTS+GUIDES EDITOR: JAMES JOHONNOTT

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PAR TNER CO NTENT

FALL

Festivals & Events SOME OF THIS SEASON’S MOST NOTEWORTHY HAPPENINGS

eau claire, wi | food + drink

sept LAZY MONK BREWING 10 YEAR

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ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION LAZY MONK BREWING | 1-11PM

Celebrate a decade of European-style brewing at the bier hall with a party in their bier garden and brewery. 14 beers on tap, including special anniversary Trilogy beers. Enjoy live entertainment in the lower courtyard from 4-9pm, prizes, and more. Bring a lawn chair for outside seating. Facemasks are required in common areas.

The air is crisp, leaves are changing into brilliant colors, pumpkin spice is all around – fall is creeping up on us, which means a handful of autumnal events that seem too gourd to be true!

From galavanting around our favorite local pumpkin patches to enjoying the fresh taste of local beer, the Chippewa Valley has no shortage of events that will leaf you fall-ing for the season.

sept elk mound, wi | family-friendly 29 - VALLEY PASTURE FARM oct PUMPKIN PATCH & FALL FUN VALLEY PASTURE FARM | 10AM-6PM 31 Find the perfect pumpkin, enjoy the fall colors on a wagon, get lost in a corn maze, and enjoy Fall Fun for the whole family. Activities including pumpkin cannon, mini golf, 80 foot slide, feeding the farm animals, and more. Grab tasty concessions like caramel apple sundaes, hot dogs, pulled pork, and more. Check us out Fridays through Sundays!

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PARTNER CONTENT

chippewa falls, wi | food + drink

sept NORTHWEST BEERFEST

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BY CHIPPEWA YOUTH HOCKEY NORTHERN WI STATE FAIRGROUNDS | 4-8PM

The 12th Annual Northwest Beerfest is back and better than ever.

100’s of varieties of beer, food trucks, and more, all to support youth hockey. To help ensure social distancing for a safe event, there are limited tickets, so brew-fans make sure to reserve yours at volumeonetickets.org and don’t miss out.

oct 01 -

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chippewa valley | home + garden

FALL PARADE OF HOMES SEE PARADEOFHOMESCV.COM FOR LOCATIONS AND TICKETS

The Parade of Homes is back! Tour beautiful homes in Eau Claire and Osseo, six new and one remodel, presented by Great American Fireplace. Get inspiration for the house of your dreams or your remodel with the newest styles. Check their website for details and for COVID 19 precautions.

EMAIL ADVERTISING@VOLUMEONE.ORG OR CALL 715-552-0457 FOR DETAILS.

sept eau claire, wi | shopping 19 - EARLY-BIRD WEEKEND oct SIDEWALK SALE SERIES 2 4 THE LOCAL STORE | SAT & SUN - ALL DAY Get your holiday shopping done safely and early this year and earn rewards! Avoid big crowds, take advantage of some great deals, and show your support for local makers throughout the Valley. Every weekend September 19 thru October 24, save up to 40% off storewide, plus earn a free $10 holiday cash card for every $100 spent.

eau claire, wi | charities + galas

nov

06

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ANNUAL GALA LISMORE HOTEL

Celebrate the success of Big Brothers Big Sister’s one-to-one youth mentoring programs. A hybrid live/online event with limited seats and a live stream. Featuring an awards presentation, speakers about the value of youth mentorship, and an online auction. Funds raised by attending this gala help ignite the potential of area youth.

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Events Chippewa Valley Event-Goers!

This is your friendly neighborhood Resources & Listings Editor James Johonnott. For nearly the last five years I’ve managed our calendars here in print and online at VolumeOne.org. 2020 has sure been an interesting year, hasn’t it? In the spring, cancellations became commonplace, and soon we faced a summer in the Chippewa Valley without the events we’ve all come to enjoy. Live events are a huge part our culture in the Valley. Seeing the vibrant energy of the community enjoying live music, food, comedy, theater, art, forums, and more, has always been one of my favorite parts of living here. Providing and curating the information that helps keep this community informed about these events has been a joy of mine while managing Volume One’s calendars. We’re all eager to find ways to reincorporate these events into our lives, and as we discover what types of gatherings are feasible, Volume One will be here to help keep you informed about opportunities available to you. As part of the top-to-bottom redesign of our print publication, the calendar we publish here has undergone some changes that will help make it easier to navigate: • Events are now listed within each day by category to help you quickly find what you’re most interested in.

• Each event now has a concise event description, with much more info, photos, and searchability at VolumeOne.org.

• The new Guides section features rotating lists of fun seasonal opportunities.

We’re excited to present this newly designed calendar, and as we go forward you’ll see it grow to include more opportunities. As always, you can reach out to me personally at james@volumeone. org about submitting your event, or go to our user-focused event submission form at volumeone. org/events/submit. I look forward to seeing you all out there at what events there are to come. From six feet away, of course.

–James Johonnott, Volume One Resources & Listings Editor

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www.VolumeOne.org

CHIPPEWA VALLEY EVENTS SEPTEMBER 9 – 30, 2020 All events are subject to change; call ahead for details. For full event descriptions and details, visit our online calendar at www.volumeone. org/events. Listings in the calendar are free. If you have an event that you would like included in an upcoming issue, go to our website at www. volumeone.org or call (715) 552-0457. For any event related questions, contact Listings Editor James Johonnott at james@volumeone.org.

Wednesday, September 9 COMMUNITY Voter Registration/Absentee Voting Assistance 10am-2pm • Eau Claire County Democratic Resource Center, Eau Claire • 852-0330 • eauclairedemocrats.org

CRAFTING & MAKING Pressed Flower Framing Live-stream Workshop 5-6pm • Hosted ONLINE by Lakeview Floral and Gifts Learn to press and frame dried flowers $29.95 • Ages 18+ • 235-7700 • Find it on Facebook

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am-

Friday, September 11

Menomonie Farmers Market 10am-6pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie • menomoniefam.org

• Paradise Shores, Holcombe Packers vs Vikings comedy roast $25 • 16+ • 595-4227 • paradiseshores4.com

1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

SENIORS Medicare and Your Options 10-11am • L.E.

Phillips Senior Center, Eau Claire • 839-4909 • lephillipsseniorcenter.com

Thursday, September 10 CAREER Schuman Cheese Hiring Event noon-6pm • River

Prairie Center, Altoona Job fair for production line positions Find it on Facebook

Chippewa Falls Farmers Market noon-6pm • Allen

Park, Chippewa Falls • Find it on Facebook

10am-2pm • Eau Claire County Democratic Resource Center, Eau Claire • 852-0330 • eauclairedemocrats.org

FOOD & DRINK Fair Food Shindig and Car Show noon-8pm •

Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls Fair food stands + classic car show (Sat & Sun) FREE, food priced a la carte • nwsfa.com

Burger Night on the Farm 4-8pm • Together

MORE EVEN TS

FULL DETA ILS

Fair Food Shindig and Car Show

noon-8pm • Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls Fair food stands + classic car show (Sat & Sun) FREE, food priced a la carte • nwsfa.com

Duncan Creek Bridge “Gourmet Dinner To Go”

5-7pm • Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge, Chippewa Falls Gourmet dinner take-out fundraiser for the Heyde Center $39 (order online by 9/9) • Find it on Facebook

Beechwood Beer Paired Dinner 6-8pm • Bye the Willow, Chippewa Falls Four course dinner featuring braied short ribs. Each course paired with a craft beer. $50 • volumeonetickets.org NIGHTLIFE Extreme Bingo 7-9pm • Eau Claire Ale House,

Eau Claire Sing-along with songs, music videos, karaoke FREE • All Ages • 598-7107

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

COMMUNITY Voter Registration/Absentee Voting Assistance

Farms, Mondovi Order burgers on-farm or online. Eat on the farm or take food to go.

210-4740 • togetherfarms.com/events

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market noon-5pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

COMEDY Football Comedy Roast - Part Time Bros 5-9pm

Backyard BBQ Bash 5-7pm • Down

To Earth Garden Center, Eau Claire BBQ ribs, sausage, beans, in scenic setting or to-go $10 • downtoearthgardencenter.com

MUSIC Joyann Parker 5-8pm • Ombibulous Brew-

ing, Altoona Blues-musician, guitarist, pianist, and singer-songwriter.

Rock Creek Song Dogs 6-9pm • Infinity Bev-

erages Winery & Distillery, Eau Claire Covers and original from folk to alternative 255-0802 • infinitybeverages.com

Saturday, September 12 COMMUNITY Electronics Disposal 8am-noon • First Choice

Computer Recycling, Eau ClaireEC County is subsidizing proper recycling of electronics & appliances Prices for recycling vary on item; list available online • co.eau-claire.wi.us

CRAFTING & MAKING Pastel Interpretations 10am-4pm • The Heyde

Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls Create three pastel works from one photograph. $110 • 7269000 • cvca.net

Pressed Flower Framing Live-stream Workshop noon-1pm • Lakeview Floral and Gifts,

Menomonie Learn how to press and frame dried flowers $29.95 • Ages 18+ • 235-7700 • Find it on Facebook

FILMS Drive-In Movie: “Jurassic Park” 9pm • Seymour Ball Club, Eau Claire • Ticket prices online at topeventswi.com

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

Menomonie Farmers Market 8am-1pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie • menomoniefam.org

Classic Car Show & Rosy’s Food Truck 11am7pm • Dick’s Chalet, Chippewa Falls Classic cars and Rosy’s traveling taco stand at this Wisconsin watering hole. Find it on Facebook Burger Night on the Farm 11:30am-8pm • Together Farms, Mondovi Order burgers on-farm or online. Eat on the farm or take food to go. 2104740 • togetherfarms.com/events Fair Food Shindig and Car Show noon-8pm •

Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls Fair food stands + classic car show (Sat & Sun) FREE, food priced a la carte • nwsfa.com

MUSIC Jim Miller 5:30-7:30pm • Vino Cappuccino, Elk Mound • vinocappuccinobistro.com/music-calendar.html

OPEN HOUSES & SHOPPING Autumn Vendor Fair at The Hive 10am-2pm •

The Hive, Chippewa Falls A socially distanced fair featuring local crafters and vendors. 833-2233 • Find it on Facebook

BEST BETS SEPTEMBER 9 — 30

1. FAIR FOOD SHINDIG & CAR SHOW Sep 10-13 • Northern WI State Fair • noon-8pm Fair food without the fair. Cheese curds, french fries, hot dogs chili dogs, chili fries, and more. Special attractions include a skee ball game of chance, and a free car show on Saturday and Sunday.

2. YOGA + WINE (2 EVENTS) STAY IN THE CAR. Don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with T-Rex. The Seymour Ball Club is hosting a drive-in screening of Jurassic Park on Sep. 12.

Sunday, September 13

Wednesday, September 16

FITNESS Yoga at the Winery 3-4pm • Autumn Harvest

BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Musky Tank Mixer: Virtual Edition 6:30-8pm

FOOD & DRINK Fair Food Shindig and Car Show noon-8pm •

COMMUNITY Voter Registration/Absentee Voting Assistance

Winery, Chippewa Falls BYO mat/towel. All-levels class and wine tasting. $15 (cash/check/venmo) • Find it on Facebook

Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls Fair food stands + classic car show (Sat & Sun) FREE, food priced a la carte • nwsfa.com

Monday, September 14 COMMUNITY Voter Registration/Absentee Voting Assistance

• Hosted Online via ZoomEarthbound Environmental talks about startup and navigating COVID. FREE • eventbrite.com

10am-2pm • Eau Claire County Democratic Resource Center, Eau Claire • 852-0330 • eauclairedemocrats.org

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire Practice social distancing and wear a mask facebook.com/EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

10am-2pm • Eau Claire County Democratic Resource Center, Eau Claire • eauclairedemocrats.org

Menomonie Farmers Market 10am-6pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie Please wear a mask and practice social distancing FREE to attend • menomoniefam.org

EDUCATION Sign Language 1 6:30-8:15pm • UW-Eau Claire

Thursday, September 17

Campus, Eau ClaireLearn ASL. $99 • All Ages • 836-3636 • ce.uwec.edu

SENIORS Buried in Treasures: Introduction Class 1-

2:30pm • L.E. Phillips Senior Center, Eau Claire Declutter your life FREE • Seniors • 839-4909 • lephillipsseniorcenter.com

Tuesday, September 15 FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire County Government Center Farmers’ Market 11:30am-5pm • Eau Claire County Gov-

ernment Center, Eau ClaireLocal vendors selling fresh produce/flowers 492-4678

WORDS Jacob Riis: An Immigrant’s Tale 6-7pm • Chip-

pewa Valley Museum, Eau Claire Covering Jacob Riis’ early years in NYC and experiences with poverty Free on Zoom • 834-7871 • cvmuseum.com

September 13 at Autumn Harvest Winery, 3-4pm September 19 at River Bend Winery, 10:15am-1pm • Two all-levels yoga classes hosted on local wineries.

Includes wine tasting. River Bend Winery will also the Marigold Food Truck on-site. BYO mat or towel.

CAREER Drive Thru Job Fair noon-4pm • Eau Claire Job

PHOTO BY KYLE LEHMAN

3. BLUE OX CAMPOUT IN THE PINES #2 Sep. 24-26 • blueoxmusicfestival.org Two nights of Yonder Mountain String Band. More bands to be announced soon. Limited to 250 tickets to ensure social distancing and health & safety.

Campsite add-ons available. A unique, intimate concert experience that will feel like a private show in the pines.

4. FALL FESTIVAL AT AUTUMN HARVEST

Chippewa Falls Farmers Market noon-6pm •

Sep. 26-27 • Autumn Harvest Winery • 11am-6pm Apple picking, corn mazes, live music, delicious food, and more. Saturday features music by Ellie May Kay and the Machine, and Sunday featues Irie Sol with food by Marigold Food Truck. There will be an apple hunt: whoever finds the fake apple in the orchard wins a free case of wine. Wine, cheese, and snacks available for purchase. Feel free to bring a chair to this outdoor event.

NIGHTLIFE Extreme Bingo 7-9pm • Eau Claire Ale House,

5. THE OTHER HALF TODAY (VIRTUAL)

Center, Eau Claire Stay in your car and get a packet of job opening pamphlets jobcenterofwisconsin.com

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market noon-

5pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

Allen Park, Chippewa Falls • Find it on Facebook

Eau Claire Sing-along with songs, music videos, karaoke FREE • All Ages • 598-7107 • carlsonentertainment.com

SENIORS Medicare Supplement Comparison 10am • L.E.

Sep. 29 • Hosted Online by CV Museum • 6pm Chippewa Valley Journalist Julian Emerson discusses his work covering housing insecurity and homelessness in the Chippewa Valley.

Phillips Senior Center, Eau Claire Break down Medicare supplement plans FREE • seniors • 8394909 • lephillipsseniorcenter.com | SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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Events STAGE “Over the River and Through the Woods” Dinner Theater noon • The Heyde Center for the

Arts, Chippewa Falls Comedic and heartwarming play with dinner by Catering Bye Design Adults $34, Seniors $33, Youth $26 • cvca.net

COMMUNITY Voter Registration/Absentee Voting Assistance 10am-2pm • Eau Claire County Democratic Resource Center, Eau Claire • 852-0330 • eauclairedemocrats.org

FOOD & DRINK Burger Night on the Farm 4-8pm • Together

Farms, Mondovi Order burgers on-farm or online.

Eat on the farm or take food to go. 210-4740 • togetherfarms.com/events

Holy Ghost’s Taste of Oktoberfest 5-7pm • Holy

Ghost Parish, Chippewa Falls A taste of Oktoberfest with Holy Ghost’s “Cuckoo Nests” and brats.

Drive through service only. Cuckoo’s Nest $6, Oktoberfest Brat $4 • All Ages • 723-4890

MUSIC Songa 6-9pm • Infinity Bever-

ages Winery & Distillery, Eau Claire Latin jazz. 255-0802 • infinitybeverages.com

Menomonie Farmers Market 8am-1pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie • menomoniefam.org

Holy Ghost’s Taste of Oktoberfest 5-7pm • Holy Ghost Parish, Chippewa Falls A taste of Oktoberfest with Holy Ghost’s “Cuckoo Nests” and brats.

Drive through service only. Cuckoo’s Nest $6, Oktoberfest Brat $4 • All Ages • 723-4890 12th Annual Northwest Beer Fest 2-6pm •

Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls 100s of varieties of beer, food trucks, and more to support youth hockey. Tickets online at volumeonetickets.org

MUSIC Rock Creek Song Dogs 5:30-7:30pm • Vino

Cappuccino, Elk Mound Covers and original from folk to alternative. vinocappuccinobistro.com/ music-calendar.html

OPEN HOUSES & SHOPPING Sports Card Show 10am-7pm •

MORE EVEN TS

Oakwood Mall, Eau Claire Buying & selling collectible cards Find it on Facebook

FULL DETA ILS

STAGE “Over the River and Through the Woods” 7:30pm • The Heyde Center

for the Arts, Chippewa Falls Comedic and heart-warming play Adults $16, Seniors $15, Youth 8 • All Ages • cvca.net

Saturday, September 19 ANIMALS & PETS Microchip Event 10am-2pm • Barks & Recre-

ation, Eau Claire Have your pet microchipped.

Apparel and raffles. $20 • Find it on Facebook

BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Young Professionals Extravaganza: Downtown Scavenger Hunt 10am-1pm • Eau Claire Area

Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire Networking & lunch provided $35-40 • Find it on Facebook

FITNESS Destination Yoga: River Bend Winery 10:15am1pm • River Bend Winery & Distillery, Chippewa Falls Outdoor yoga, wine, and food truck $12 members, $15 non-members • All Ages (21+ for wine) • Find it on Facebook

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1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

Burger Night on the Farm 11:30am-8pm • Together Farms, Mondovi Order burgers on-farm or online. Eat on the farm or take food to go. 2104740 • togetherfarms.com/events

Friday, September 18

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FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am-

STAGE “Over the River and Through the Woods” 7:30pm • The Heyde

Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls Comedic and heart-warming play Adults $16, Seniors $15, Youth 8 • All Ages • cvca.net

ROLLING LOCAL. Treat your taste buds to some lunch courtesy of the Live Great Food Truck, who will be popping up at Royal Credit Union Corporate Center on Sep. 24.

PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

Monday, September 21

Wednesday, September 23

EDUCATION Sign Language 1 6:30-8:15pm • UW-Eau Claire

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am-

Beer vs. Wine: Four Course Dinner 6-8pm • Bye the Willow, Chippewa Falls Four course meal with beer and wine pairings $55 • volumeonetickets.org

Menomonie Farmers Market 10am-6pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie • menomoniefam.org

Campus, Eau ClaireLearn ASL. $99 • All Ages • 836-3636 • holzerk@uwec.edu • ce.uwec.edu

Sunday, September 20

Tuesday, September 22

MUSIC Miss Myra and The Moonshiners by the Lake

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire County Government Center Farmers’ Market 11:30am-5pm • Eau Claire County Gov-

1-7pm • Paradise Shores, Holcombe 20’s, 30’s era nightclub style music; Big Kahunas concessions $25 • 13+ • 503-0060 • paradiseshores4.com

NIGHTLIFE Trivia at Autumn Harvest Winery 2-4pm • Au-

tumn Harvest Winery, Chippewa Falls DJ Trivia with wine bottle prizes autumnharvestwinery.com

OPEN HOUSES & SHOPPING Sports Card Show 11am-6pm • Oakwood Mall, Eau Claire Buying & selling collectible cards Find it on Facebook

STAGE “Over the River and Through the Woods” 2pm

• The Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls Comedic and heart-warming play Adults $16, Seniors $15, Youth 8 • All Ages • cvca.net

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

ernment Center, Eau Claire • 492-4678

FAMILY Positive Parenting Program Virtual Seminar

6-7:30pm • Hosted Online by L.E. Phillips Memorial Public LibraryParenting seminar for parents of ages 0-12 FREE, Registration Required • Find it on Facebook

SENIORS Beginning KenKen - Online Class 12:30-1:30pm

• Hosted Online by L.E. Phillips Senior CenterA math-based, logic puzzle similar to Sudoku. $1 members, $1.50 non-members • 839-4909 • lephillipsseniorcenter.com

1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

Thursday, September 24 CRAFTING & MAKING Paint Party with Jason Anhorn at Bye the Willow 6-9pm • Bye the Willow, Chippewa Falls Paint party with complimentary beverage Registration fee online • Find it on Facebook

FOOD & DRINK Live Great Food at Royal Credit Union 10am-

2pm • RCU Corporate Center, Eau Claire Farm fresh food truck All Ages • 220-6084 • facebook. com/livegreatfood

Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market noon-

5pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

Chippewa Falls Farmers Market noon-6pm • Allen Park, Chippewa Falls • Find it on Facebook

NIGHTLIFE Extreme Bingo 7-9pm • Eau Claire Ale House,

Eau Claire Sing-along with songs, music videos, karaoke FREE • All Ages • 598-7107 • carlsonentertainment.com

Events Friday, September 25 COMEDY Laugh Your Mask Off Comedy Showcase 7-9pm • Paradise Shores, Holcombe 5 comics, rapid-fire jokes $15 • PG-13 • 503-0060 • paradiseshores4. com

FOOD & DRINK Burger Night on the Farm 4-8pm • Together

Farms, Mondovi Order burgers on-farm or online.

Eat on the farm or take food to go. 210-4740 • togetherfarms.com/events

MUSIC Paul Bonstrom 6-9pm • Infinity Beverages Winery

& Distillery, Eau Claire Finterstyle guitarist/vocalist; folk, country, rock 255-0802 • infinitybeverages.com

Saturday, September 26 CAUSES Cardinal Kickoff: Athletics Fundraiser 6-11pm

• Chippewa Area Ice Arena, Chippewa Falls Fundraiser for Chi-Hi Athletics; food, beverages, games, entertainment, live music $45 (includes ticket fee) • volumeonetickets.org

FILMS Drive-In Movie: “Sing” 4pm & 7pm• Seymour

Ball Club, Eau Claire • Ticket prices online at topeventswi.com

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

Menomonie Farmers Market 8am-1pm • Wilson

Park, Menomonie • menomoniefam.org

Fall Festival at Autumn Harvest Winery 11am-

6pm • Autumn Harvest Winery, Chippewa Falls Apple picking, corn mazes, live music, delicious food, and more. autumnharvestwinery.com

Rubenzer Family and Friends 7:30pm • The Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls Country, polka, waltz, early rock & roll, and schottische Adults $10, Seniors $9, Youth 5 • cvca.net

VISUAL ART Go Paint! Chippewa Valley: Adult Quick Painting Event 2-4pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire 2-hour

painting competition with prizes pablocenter.org/ visual-arts/gopaint

Sunday, September 27 FOOD & DRINK Fall Festival at Autumn Harvest Winery 11am-

6pm • Autumn Harvest Winery, Chippewa Falls Apple picking, corn mazes, live music, delicious food, and more. autumnharvestwinery.com

Monday, September 28 EDUCATION Sign Language 1 6:30-8:15pm • UW-Eau Claire Campus, Eau ClaireLearn ASL. $99 • All Ages • 836-3636 • holzerk@uwec.edu • ce.uwec.edu

Tuesday, September 29 FOOD & DRINK EC County Government Center Farmers’ Market 11:30am-5pm • EC County Government Center, Eau Claire• 492-4678

WORDS The Other Half Today Virtual Program 6-7pm

• Chippewa Valley Museum, Eau Claire Learn about housing insecurity & homelessness in Eau Claire FREE • All Ages • 834-7871 • tinyurl.com/ cvm-otherhalftoday

Wednesday, September 30

Burger Night on the Farm 11:30am-8pm • Together Farms, Mondovi Order burgers on-farm or online. Eat on the farm or take food to go. 2104740 • togetherfarms.com/events

FOOD & DRINK Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market 7:30am-

MUSIC Steven John Rindt 5:30-7:30pm • Vino Cappuc-

Menomonie Farmers Market 10am-6pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie • menomoniefam.org

cino, Elk Mound • vinocappuccinobistro.com/ music-calendar.html

1pm • Phoenix Park, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ EauClaireDowntownFarmersMarket

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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Guides HIT THE TRAILS Plan a fall adventure on 100+ miles of urban and rural hiking and biking trails

Eau Claire County Trails Beaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org Moderate difficulty. There are several trail loop options. Scenic, winding trails on two separate sections of the reserve, offer views of two creeks and the Eau Claire River.

A local favorite $3 for adults, $1 for children (15 and under), free for members of Beaver Creek.

Chippewa River State Trail • fcrstwi.com This

former railroad corridor parallels the Chippewa River and including river bottoms, prairies, sandstone bluffs, wetlands, and more. Trailruns from Phoenix Park in Eau Claire to Caryville. Joins the Red Cedar Trail in the Dunnville Bottoms near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa rivers.

City Wells Trail Eau Claire • Difficulty: Easy.

Description: Three-mile loop trail begins near the city wells and heads into the woods. Directions: From the North Crossing (Hwy 312) head north on Riverview Drive. Park in the dirt lot near the wells buildings off Riverview Drive.

Eau Claire River Route 1.5 miles - Trail goes from

downtown Eau Claire to the East Side Hill • Start at the paved trailhead hidden across from the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library’s underground parking entrance. The trail brings you across to the north side of the river on an old railroad trestle S bridge that offers spectacular views of the quarter-mile long Banbury Place industrial complex and of course, the valley. The trails in Phoenix Park and Boyd Park now connect and are ready for downtown cyclists.

Fairfax Park - Trail 4200 Fairfax St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-1680 • Difficulty: Easy. Small woods trail that doubles as ski trail goes into small prairie area past a few ponds and re-enters woods. Directions: Access Fairfax Park Drive from either Golf Road and park in the Fairfax Pool lot, or go down Fairfax Street and park near the ball fields south of South Middle School.

Geuttinger Woods + Wildlife Area Eau Claire • Easy difficulty. Semi-groomed trails wander through dense woodland. Head south from Eau Claire on Hwy 37. Look for a sign on the left shortly after passing Cty Rd HH. Short drive up a hill takes you to a small parking lot and trailhead.

Evergreen Ski Trail Coon Fork Lake County

Park, E 25501 County Road CF, Augusta • (715) 839-4738 • Easy to moderate difficulty. 2.2 miles of trail loops are open for hikers in the spring, summer, and fall. The westernmost trail follows Coon Fork Creek. $3 fee. Located 5 miles north of Augusta on Cty Rd CF (across the road from Coon Forks County Park). Park at a small dirt lot.

Lowes Creek County Park Trail S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 839-4738 • co.eau-claire. wi.us Easy to moderate difficulty. Most trails double as mountain bike or ski trails. One short trail is devoted to hiking only. Nice sights of Lowes Creek. Requires $3 daily pass with seasonal passes available. Drive south of Eau Claire and I-94 on Lowes Creek Road. Park entrance will be on the left. Or drive south of Eau Claire and I-94 on 93.

Turn right on Lorch Avenue and left on Fairview Drive. Ample parking at both entrances.

Northwest Community Park Trail 650 Van EsParkway, Eau Claire • Moderate difficulty. Several loop trail options double as mountain bike and ski trails. Some are narrow and steep. From the North Crossing (Hwy 312) head north on Jeffers and turn right away on E. Prairie Lane to Arrowhead Drive to Van Es Parkway. Drive to the end of the street to the small parking lot.

Otter Creek Trail 2333 Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona • 3 miles - Located next to the Hillcrest Golf Course.

Pinehurst Park - Trails 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • eauclairewi.gov Moderate difficulty.

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Wooded trails along the far side of the sledding hill double as mountain bike trails. Trails end at the top of the sledding hill. From Hwy 53, turn right on Eddy Lane to Darryl Lane to Dale Road. From the parking lot, look for the trailhead on the left facing the hill.

Putnam Trail Located at the end of Putnam Drive,

UWEC Lower Campus, Eau Claire • uwec.edu Difficulty: Easy. Dirt road goes through a wooded area that follows Little Niagara Creek. Deer and wild turkeys often seen. Marshy woods with a beautiful canopy of branches and leaves. From campus heading west, the trail follows the Chippewa River.

Stage Coach Bicycle Route Trailhead located in Augusta just off Hwy 12/27 on Stone St. • (715) 8312345 • info@visiteauclaire.com • travelwisconsin. com 21 miles - Approximately 21 miles roundtrip with alternate loops. Mostly easy but a few steep hills. It’s a scenic route that follows along a lightly traveled road and is perfect for a family bicycle outing. Available year round and no pass is required.

Tower Ridge Recreation Area Trail 1230 S 82nd

Ave, Eau Claire • (715) 839-4783 • co.eau-claire. wi.us Easy to Moderate difficulty. Wide trails double as ski and horseback riding trails. Some trails are very hilly. Offers spectacular views of the Eau Claire River Valley. $3 daily pass/seasonal. Drive east from Eau Claire on Cty Rd Q and then south on L. Go past first parking lot (for disc golf players) to the second lot (road to it on left side of L).

Chippewa County Trails Big Falls County Park 11998 N 110th Ave,

Chippewa Falls • (715) 839-4783 • co.eau-claire. wi.us Located in the town of Seymour, the trails at Big Falls cut through mixed coniferous/ hardwood forest on either side of County Highways Q and K.

Cadott School Forest Cadott • Several loops go

through woods past two creeks and a covered bridge as well. From Hwy 29, take the Cty Rd X exit and drive to Cty Rd XX. Head north to 80th Street. Head east for 1 ½ miles and look for a gravel dead-end road. You might have to park at the gate and walk into the educational building area. Otherwise, there is parking at the building.

Chippewa County Riverview Reserve Trail Chippewa Falls • Easy difficulty. Trails go through woods and meadows. Some pass by small ponds as well as Lake Wissota.

Take Hwy 178 north to Wissota Green Blvd (east of St. Joseph’s Hospital) and then on Beach Drive. There is a small parking lot near the trailhead.

Parking also available near the Chippewa River bridge on 178.

Chippewa River State Trail • fcrstwi. com This former railroad corridor parallels the Chippewa River and including river bottoms, prairies, sandstone bluffs, wetlands, and more.

Trailruns from Phoenix Park in Eau Claire to Caryville. Joins the Red Cedar Trail in the Dunnville Bottoms near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa rivers.

Deer Fly Trail • (715) 726-7920 • co.chippewa. wi.us A hiking trail located in the County Forest in Northern Chippewa County. From the north, the trail entrance is located two miles west of junction of County Rd. M And E. Duncan Creek Parkway Trail Chippewa Falls •

(715) 723-0331 • chippewacounty.com 5 miles - This trail winds through the city of Chippewa Falls. Trail begins at the parking lot off 225th Avenue. Ideal for biking, hiking, and inline skating.

Connects to Old Abe State Trail.

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

HOFFMAN HILLS STATE RECREATION AREA PHOTO BY TAYLOR SMITH

Hickory Ridge Trail • (866) 723-0331 • 9 miles This trail winds through the quiet and scenic oak and aspen forest. It consists of three challenging loops. Located in northern Chippewa County in the County Forest - the trail begins in a parking lot off of 225th Ave.

Irvine Park Trail Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa

Falls • (715) 723-0051 • chippewafalls-wi. gov Easy difficulty. Woods trails above the zoo area double as ski trails. Loop back down and visit the zoo afterwards. Trails also go past Glen Loch Lake. Trails can also be accessed from small parking lot on Cty Rd S or on the parking lot above the zoo off Erma-Tinger Drive.

Kemper’s Woods Chippewa Falls • A few trail

loops go through a small woods surrounded by farmland. From Business 29, drive south on Chippewa Crossing Blvd and turn left on Stilson (50th Ave) past the dog park, over Hwy 29, and look for a small loop-shaped parking lot on the right side of the road.

Lafayette Town Hall Trail Lafayette • A short loop goes through woods. The trail overlooks Paint Creek. From Cty Road X south of Lake Wissota, turn south on 197th Street to the Lafayette Town Hall. Park near the food stand at the ball fields and walk through the brush site area to find the somewhat-hidden trailhead.

Lake Wissota State Park 18127 County Hwy

0, Chippewa Falls • (715) 382-4574 • dnr. wi.gov Several trail options go through woods, meadows, lowlands, marshes, and Lake Wissota’s shoreline. Many double as ski trails. Bikes are permitted on all but 3 trails. One-mile Beaver Meadow nature trail loop for families with small children.

Scenic lake trail is also a highlight.

MORE Daily and annual state park vehicle admission passes vary in price.

Located on the northeast section of ONLINE Lake Wissota.

Old Abe Trail 711 North Bridge

Street, Chippewa Falls • (715) 726-7920 • dnr.wi.gov Easy difficulty.

Popular bike trail goes from Chippewa Falls to Cornell. One scenic spot is just north of Jim Falls where the trail follows the Chippewa River on one side and small fields and ponds (some full of turtles) on the other. Head north of Chippewa Falls on Hwy 178 to the Jim Falls exit. In town, there is a trailhead sign with a parking lot. Walk north through town before getting to the scenic spots.

Dunn County Trails Bjornsen Recreation Center Trail Knapp • Easy

difficulty. Trail loop options through woods with creeks and several footbridges as well. From I-94 take the Hwy Q exit and drive north to 700 Avenue. Turn right and head to 160th Street. Look

for signs. You might have to park at the gate and walk to the center. Otherwise, there is parking at the center.

Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area - Trails

730th Ave., Colfax • (715) 232-1242 • travelwisconsin.com Several different trail options from easy to moderate to difficult. Very hilly in the woods section of the park, most leading to a 60foot tower with a wonderful view of the area and worth the climb. The grass-prairie and wetlands section of the park is easy and passes by ponds hidden from view of most of the trail. Directions available on website.

Lake Menomin Park Trail Menomonie • Easy

difficulty. Walk through the woods, emerge next to Lake Menomin, and then through meadow before re-entering woods. From I-94 head south on Cty Rd B, turn right at 3M Drive, turn left at Stokke Parkway, turn right at Red Cedar Street/Domain Drive.

Menomonie Lions Game Park Trails Menomonie

• Easy difficulty. Very short trail starts near animal exhibits and features a little boardwalk. Fun stroll for families with little kids. From I-94 head south on North Broadway Street, turn left on Pine Avenue E to Game Park Rd. Plenty of parking spaces on paved lot.

Red Cedar State Trail 921 Brickyard Road,

Menomonie • dnr.wi.gov Easy difficulty. Small bluffs with a waterfall will be on one side and the Red Cedar River on the other side. Bald eagles frequently sighted. Going other direction from Dunnville takes you through the Dunnville State Wildlife Area across a trestle near the confluence of the Chippewa River and the Red Cedar River.

This meets up with the Chippewa River Trail.

Further Out Trails 400 State Trail 22 miles E13660 State Highway 33, Reedsburg • dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/ name/400/ The 400 State Trail is located between Reedsburg and Elroy with 5 communities conveniently spaced along the trail to provide small town hospitality. Part of the 101-mile State Trail System.

A mostly level trail. Trail is used for bicycling, walking, and snowmobiling. There is also a 7-mile horse trail parallel to the bike trail between Wonewoc and LaValle.

Buffalo River State Park Trail • dnr.wi.gov 36

miles - This is a multi-purpose trail that parallels Hwy 10 passing through the communities of Mondovi, Eleva, Strum, Osseo and Fairchild connecting to Eau Claire County operated ATV trails.

Levis Mound Trail Neilsville • (715) 743-5140 • levismound.com The Levis Mound and Trow Mound rec trail in Southern Clark County features 25 miles of mountain bike singletrack trails offering riders a variety of terrain, from easy meandering wooded singletrack to technical pitches and outstanding views of the surrounding 133,000 acre county forest.

Local Lit REMEMBER HOW GREAT words by

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

richard terrill

those old poems that friends

now you feel only

wrote on bar napkins

that you’d like a little snack

about women in bars or about fathers

too close to bedtime

they described as stern and distant

or that the glow from the last light

but who were probably just busy

in the afternoon at quarter after four

with their own disappointments

means that another day has passed without a lot of change

poetry could be about something

in weather you can point to

the dance or wandering lonely as a cloud

and that it’s winter again like yesterday

dead precedents or sparrows along a hedgerow your uncle with the glass eye

true there’s leftover carryout in the fridge

even though he never had one

an earlier portion of which

your aunt who gave the bad piano lessons

interested not even the dog

which is why you never learned did you

he sleeps still in his cozy bed

Richard Terrill a former student and instructor at UW-Eau Claire. He is the winner of the Minnesota Book Award for Poetry and the Associated Writing Programs Award for nonfiction. His new book is What Falls Away Is Always: Poems & Conversations from Holy Cow! Press.

The virtual book launch for the collection will be streamed on Facebook Live on September 13, 7-8 pm. Find a link at www.richardterrill. com.

near the unlit fireplace the bed which smells so much like him to him that he sometimes thinks he’s part of it or so it seems to you

ABOUT THIS PAGE:

TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK:

Curated by Bruce Taylor, former Poet Laureate of the City of Eau Claire and Professor Emeritus, UW-Eau Claire, Local Lit features some of the best of the Chippewa Valley’s poetry and prose. It runs once a month, usually in every other issue. Read more local literature at VolumeOne.org/lit.

Got some good words? We accept original poetry and short prose from current and former Chippewa Valley residents. Poetry must be 30 lines or less, prose must be under 500 words. Writers may submit up to one poem or prose piece per month. Previously published material is welcome (tell us when/where it first appeared). Email qualified submissions to: lit@volumeone.org (paste text directly into the email, type “Local Lit Submission” into the subject line).

| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

77

The Rear End

ZOOMS ALL DAY OH, THOSE WONDERFUL VIDEO MEETINGS words by

mike paulus • illustration by eva paulus

W

23 different languages, which isn’t e can all admit that when that impressive considering they’re we’re in a Zoom meeting mostly filled with photos of chubby we’re all just looking at babies poorly disguised as root ourselves, right? At this point, we vegetables.* can all say that out loud, can’t we?

My very obvious point is that, I see you doing it. I see myself for many of us, Zoom is now a part doing it. Oh sure, we’re listening, of everyday life. And by “Zoom,” we’re engaged, we’re contributing to I also mean Microsoft Teams, the conversation, but a nice chunk of Google Meet, Webex, Skype, our attention is devoted to checking ZoHo, TeamViewer, Eyez-n-Earz, out our own hair.

VideeoTalkr, DiscourseBlastr, And when we’re not checking FaceChatPersonalIntrusion, and I’m out our own image in the little video just making these up off the top of gallery of co-workers, co-committee my head. “Zoom” is truly the Kleenex members, co-students, and/or coof our day and age.

1970s-barbarian-fantasy-book-clubWe now members, we’re have little setup scanning everyone routines for these else’s background video calls, and for hints at their A NICE CHUNK OF if you’re like daily life. Some me – rugged, people might post O U R AT T E N T I O N handsome, and the up in an office dad/husband in for their video IS DEVOTED TO a family of four – calls (boring), but you have multiple some people are C H E C K I N G O U T O U R routines for in their living multiple people on rooms or kitchens OWN HAIR. multiple devices or bedrooms and and platforms that’s where they in multiple keep the good parts of your house, and you’re stuff. You can tell a lot about a all constantly asking each other, person by how many giant Anne “Please lower your speaking volume Geddes posters they have hanging so I can hear this nice lady talk over their bed. about the very important things.”

Hey, is Anne Geddes still alive?

We all know more about proper I’ll go check. camera lighting than all the area’s Yep, if Google can be trusted, high school A/V clubs combined.

Anne Geddes is still alive and she For example, I know not to schedule was born in Australia. And her a meeting at a certain time in the books have been translated into

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| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

morning or the sun blasts through a certain window near our computer, and my entire face turns a shade of white I call “holy angel vengeance fire.”

Speaking of angels, my kids have taken to these video meetings fairly well, intuitively knowing what icons to tap to get the stuff doing the things. I’ve been in the room during their virtual class times, and people, if you’re one of those thoughtless blowhards who think teachers have it easy, I challenge you to do the same. I’d last roughly 10 seconds as a virtual elementary school teacher.

Without fail, there’s always one kid who doesn’t shut off their mic, and they hold their tablet in their grubby little hands, so every tiny little movement is transmogrified into a blasting symphony of scraping sounds and discordant clattering.

Imagine trying to speak to youngsters over an iPad (probably with a slight delay) while glass bottles are being poured into a metal dumpster, and you are sitting in the metal dumpster.

Let’s hear it for our teachers.

Adults have their own tests and trials when it comes to coworkers who can’t figure out how to stop very

loud phone calls from coming in during meetings, or they position their tablets on a table so the camera is basically shooting straight up their nose. Or they say things like, “Well jeez, I got the Zooms all day today!”** But as my ol’ college math professor once said, “Everything’s hard until you know how to do it.”

And that’s a good mantra to keep in mind right now. It’s good to be patient with each other and ourselves until we know how to do this stuff. Because video meetings should be the least of our worries.

I’m lucky to have a computing device with a camera. I’m lucky to have a reasonably solid internet connection. I’m lucky in that my family can use these tools to learn and work when so many others don’t have the options they deserve.

I know we’ll figure it all out. And I know we’ll be better for it. * If you don’t know who Anne Geddes is, look her up, because that paragraph was hilarious. ** This is an actual quote from someone I know with an extremely heavy Wisconsin accent.

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| SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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