City Pages | 062520 | Theft in the family

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Ponderosa Motel is finally coming down

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Theft in the family Financial abuse of the elderly is a huge, often unspoken problem and tough to prove.

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PUBLiSHER’S NOTE

THE STAFF

Dear Reader, Here is a riddle for you.

Q: What do you call it when laws apply to some people or organizations but not to other similar people or organizations?

A: An uneven playing field.

That’s exactly what exists right now with Facebook (and Google, Twitter, and other social media companies) compared to newspapers, television stations, and radio stations.

Here’s how it works: If a newspaper (or radio or TV station) publishes something false about you, you can sue them and get them to retract it, or get monetary damages. But if Facebook or the other tech giants publish something false about you on their platform, you are out of luck.

The law protects them from responsibility for publishing false information! I find that stunning. The specific law, if you are curious, is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Is that fair to you? I don’t think so, and you probably don’t either. Shouldn’t you be protected from false statements wherever they appear—not just newspapers and TV, but also Facebook and Google? Of course you should.

Publisher Patrick J. Wood, publisher@mmclocal.com

If you’ve read my past columns, you know there are other issues that I think we need to address, like Facebook and Google’s ability to creepily track you all around the internet without your permission (unless you think it counts when you give “permission” in the fine print of a legal release that no one reads). Then there’s the way they take other organizations’ content, publish it on their platforms, sell ads on it, and don’t share that revenue with the producer of the content—that is what is killing the news reporting business. But I digress.

If you want to take back your power to hold Facebook and Google accountable for publishing false information, call your Senator and Representative. Their contact information:

Managing Editor Tammy Stezenski, tammy@thecitypages.com News Reporter/Photographer B.C. Kowalski, brian@thecitypages.com Production Coordinator/ Layout Designer Alex Eichten, alex@thecitypages.com Big Guide bigguide@thecitypages.com Advertising Executives Lisa Lanier, lisa.lanier@thecitypages.com Sales & Marketing Manager Anna Moua, anna.moua@thecitypages.com Classified Executive Linda Weltzin, advertising@thecitypages.com

Senator Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323 Senator Tammy Baldwin (202) 224-5653 Your Congressional Representative (202) 224-3121 Do it today. You’ll be glad you did.

And for that we will be grateful.

Patrick Wood

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METRO BRiEFS

by B.C. Kowalski

Sunset for Ponderosa

Ponderosa Motel on Grand Avenue, burned out and abandoned five years ago, finally comes down Workers on Monday began tearing down the old Ponderosa Motel on Grand Avenue in Wausau, as a deal to turn it into affordable housing apartments received its final approval.

The city’s Community Development Authority on Tuesday approved selling the property to Emmerich and Associates for $10,000, according to the development agreement.

Emmerich plans to build eight units of affordable housing on the site on Grand Avenue. The company also expressed plans to buy the adjacent building that’s currently unoccupied but for many years was the Eagle’s Nest restaurant (which relocated south on Grand Avenue), then an Italian restaurant and later a Mexican restaurant before sitting vacant.

The fire at Ponderosa Motel in 2015 left the interior burned out, leaving the building to sit vacant until the county finally took the property via tax deed, and performed environmental assessments on it. Wausau’s Community Development Authority took over the property’s redevelopment and requested proposals, eventually settling on Emmerich earlier this year.

The property management and rental company has told city officials it hopes to start construction on the new apartments this year yet.

According to Community Development Manager Tammy Stratz, the CDA will be paying for the demolition through a grant.

The exact cost won’t be known until the project is complete, but estimates put it at $15,000 to $20,000, she says. The Department of Public Works is handling the demolition, so costs come from landfill tipping fees and disposing of leftover items from the site, such as appliances.

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June 25–July 2, 2020

Skibba was investigated by the police and fire commission earlier this year for drinking on the job. Skibba told investigators he’d become depressed after the death of his parents and had turned to drinking.

The city’s Police and Fire Commission had suspended Skibba without pay for 15 days in March, a punishment criticized by many as being too lax, including Stevens Point’s police union.

According to a statement from the Stevens Point Police and Fire Commission, further information was brought to their attention about the case by the police union, which had made a vote of no confidence against Skibba. Following legal advice, the commission requested the Wausau Police Department conduct an investigation.

Skibba resigned shortly thereafter.

Assistant Chief Tom Zenner has been named interim police chief, according to the department’s website.

School district considers new referendum options amidst backlash

▲ Workers on Monday began tearing down the Ponderosa Motel, considered by neighbors to be an eyesore for the past five years

As of Wednesday, the building was about half torn down. Stratz says officials don’t have an estimate of how long the demolition will take, but that the Department of Public Works has a lot of experience in taking down old buildings and works efficiently.

Stevens Point police chief resigns following drinking investigation Stevens Point’s police chief has filed his resignation following a second investigation into allegations he was drinking on the job.

Martin Skibba resigned as police chief effective June 19, according to his resignation letter set to the police and fire commission. Skibba in his letter said his leave had become “politicized,” and that he no longer felt he could effectively advocate for the officers on his force.

The Wausau School District is weighing new options after response to the district’s referendum proposal was less than favorable.

Wausau School District Superintendent Keith Hilts says commentary received by the district, including through its Thought Exchange portal, an online way for the district to gather feedback, didn’t favor the project.

Residents were concerned about losing neighborhood schools and about possible long transportation times, among other concerns.

The plan would have overhauled its elementary and middle schools, reducing 13 elementary schools to seven along with specialty schools like Montessori and alternative education, and would have made the two middle schools into one for 5-6 graders and one for 7-8 graders.

Hilts says the district will now consider two options: Either leave all the schools in place, focusing instead on addressing deferred maintenance, educational improvement and security enhancements; or it could bring forward a much scaled back version of the previous plans, closing only a few schools and merging to create space for the Montessori and alternative schools.

Board President Tricia Zunker and other board members asked Hilts to flesh out more details of the two alternatives before bringing them back to the school board for further consideration.

Police search for suspect in assault, shooting Wausau Police are searching for the suspect in an assault and shooting that left a woman injured and a dog dead.

Police responded to an apartment in the 900 block of S. 25th Street 9:38 am Monday morning, June 22, after receiving a report of an incident involving a firearm.

According to a release from the police department, a man entered the apartment, assaulted the woman living there, and shot the woman’s dog.

The man was gone before police arrived.

The woman was treated for minor injuries

by Wausau Fire Department paramedics and the dog was transported to a local vet clinic for emergency care, the police report says. The dog did not survive.

Officers are still attempting to identify and apprehend the suspect in the case.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Det. Nate Stetzer at 715-261-7970 or contact Marathon County Crimestoppers at 1-877-409-8777 or visit marathoncountycrimestoppers.com.

Rib Mountain bus route in the works County and Wausau city leaders are weighing a proposal that would provide bus service to the Rib Mountain area, which for decades has rejected joining the Metro Ride transit operation.

Under the proposal, bus service between Wausau and Rib Mountain would run one day a week, Fridays 8 am–2 pm, says transit director Greg Seubert. The proposal, still in its early stages, calls on Metro Ride to partner with the county to provide the service as a pilot project.

In order for a transit service to provide busing to another community, it needs to have a financial agreement with another entity. In this case, Marathon County would be that entity, not the Town of Rib Mountain, Seubert explained.

Marathon County Planner Andrew Lynch explained that the program would also need to be approved by Rib Mountain’s committees, and that metrics would need to be designed to determine whether or not it was a success.

The project first came up before coronavirus pandemic, explained Marathon County Planner Dave Mack. Since then, the pandemic has hit municipal budgets hard and that could prove to be a roadblock to the project, Mack says.

Another factor that might push the project’s development off, Seubert says, is coronavirus restrictions themselves. Right now ridership is limited to 10 or fewer passengers socially distanced throughout the bus, and fare collection has been suspended. Those measures were extended until late fall by the city’s transit committee. It might be hard to measure success under a new route if there is a hard cap on ridership, he explained.

Bad week for: Covid-19 cases hit 130 in Marathon County

Marathon County has now detected 130 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the county’s Health Department reports.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there have been 130 confirmed positive cases, and 6,255 negative cases, a cumulative positive test rate of just over 2%.

But between five and nine new cases have been detected each day since June 17, resulting in a positive test rate of 3.8% this past week (hitting 7.8% for June 23 and 10% for June 24 reported tests).

While alarming, the positive rate is still below state and national averages. Statewide, the cumulative positive test rate for coronavirus has been 5% according to data from the state Department of Health Services, and nationwide averages have ranged close to 6.5%, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Of the cases reported by the Marathon County Health Department as of late Friday, the highest rate of infection came amongst those in the 20-29 year old range, says County Covid-19 Public Information Officer Judy Burrows. The county health department recommends staying home when sick, and avoiding mass gatherings and limiting social interaction for those who are healthy, Burrows says.

Good week for: Internet access out in the country

Marathon County has formed a task force to address problems with rural broadband.

The County Board on Tuesday voted to form the task force. The task force is the next step to addressing the problem, which is one of the issues recognized in its strategic plan. The county’s Education, Extension and Economic Development and Infrastructure committees took on the issue, and hired a consultant last year to come up with a plan.

The task force will decide what the county’s role in that plan will be.

The plan found that a series of 32 towers could cover about 90% of the county at a cost of about $5.9 million.

“The purpose of the task force is to get broadband and phone service to the rural parts of the county,” says County Board Member John Robinson. “We will touch on areas of service with Frontier and where there are problem areas too.”

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SENIOR SPIRIT

Our semi-annual special section for older adults and the younger ones who love them. SEE P. 8 & 9 FOR MORE!

by B.C. Kowalski

Theft in the family Financial abuse of the elderly is a huge, often unspoken problem and tough cases to prove.

There wasn’t a single moment when Veronica Lyon and her family members realized her sister was stealing from her elderly father. There was no aha moment, no smoking gun.

Instead, it was more of a slow realization. A number of little things just didn’t seem to add up. Her sister, on social security and disability, suddenly seemed to have money for new vehicles and a lot of restaurant meals. It struck Lyon and others as unusual but nothing that triggered them to act.

Lyon’s sister had convinced Lyon’s father, who had worked as a fireman for 35 years and was retired, to give her power of attorney. This gave her control over his finances, allowed her to write checks from his account, and make many of his legal decisions.

Lyon had moved to Wisconsin (she lives in the Wausau area) and both her sister and father lived in Mankato, Minn.

One day Lyon received a call from a county investigator there about some missing money. Suddenly, all of Lyon’s suspicions seemed to point to something real. “It was like ding ding ding,” Lyon told City Pages. “I said if there is money missing, check on my sister.”

The sister, by that point, had written hundreds of checks from her father’s account, with her name signed at the bottom. “She had been buying a lot of things,” Lyon says.

The resulting investigation and trial took more than a decade, and at the end, Lyon’s father, who resided in a senior living facility, recovered less than $25,000. Lyon estimates all together her father lost a total of $500,000 because of her sister’s theft. That included

Veronica Lyon with her father. Lyon spent nearly a decade resolving a case in which her sister took financial advantage of her father as his caretaker.

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June 25–July 2, 2020

How to help prevent and avoid financial abuse These tips are from Marathon Count District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon and Adult Protective Services Manager Brenda Christians: • Have more than one person authorized to review a loved one’s financials. This can prevent fraud by having a second pair of eyes on the elderly person’s money.

• Make it official: Someone who is made a power of attorney has a fiduciary responsibility to act in the elderly person’s best interests. Just giving someone access to a bank account doesn’t protect the person from abuse.

• If something looks suspicious, don’t wait. It’s easier to prevent theft in the first place than recover property later. Don’t be afraid to start asking questions.

a missing $215,000 that was never investigated, and $150,000 worth of antiques that were sold for pennies on the dollar by her sister.

Incredibly, the same thing happened to her mother, who is divorced from Lyon’s father and lives separately. A member of her mother’s family stole an estimated $250,000 from her. Lyon’s family won’t name this person because they still fears repercussions from the individual.

Lyon knows theft from vulnerable elderly people is not uncommon.

She says many friends and acquaintances who heard about her experience have reached out to her asking for advice because the same thing was happening within their own families.

According to the National Council on Aging, roughly five million elderly people are abused each year. While many might think of physical or emotional abuse, financial abuse is common. Elderly people become targets because many have substantial retirement savings and may be losing their ability to care for themselves. Nearly 60% of the abusers are a family member, according to the NCOA. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, roughly 10% of elders will face abuse at some point in their life. Financial abuse makes up a significant number of abuse cases, yet are one of the highest rates of going unreported.

Lyon told City Pages the case against her sister is done, and retribution isn’t why she wants to share her story. She wants to help others avoid what she went through. Her father, in his 70s when the theft occurred, had dementia and ended up “100% broke,” Lyon says. “I had to go tell him about my sister, what she was doing to him,” Lyon says. “I sat him down in a conference room and told him. Shortly after that his dementia got dramatically worse. The high stress had a lot to do with it.”

Tough cases to solve

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office gets referrals for about two to three cases of elderly financial exploitation per year, says Investigations Unit Detective Jeffrey Stefonek. When a case is referred, Stefonek says, they assign a detective and start following the paper trail. That’s not always easy to do, since the cases often blend the civil and criminal sides of the law, and people with power of attorney do have legal control over the person’s finances. These cases “are tricky and I suspect only the most heinous offenders get caught,” Stefonek says.

Still, detectives look for a paper trail, investigate court documents about competency and power of attorney, and might even subpoena bank records. Detectives can “establish patterns of spending that have nothing to do with care,” Stefonek says.

A good example: an 85-year-old woman living alone, without a computer, won’t be spending $200 per week on groceries, have numerous online purchases or casino transactions.

The trickiest cases are those with no official documents or arrangements such as power of attorney. Seniors will often add a caretaker to their account to make purchasing necessities easier, but that also makes them easier to be victimized and harder for police to trace. “It becomes a ‘he said/she said’ type of case, which makes it Keep difficult to establish the elements of the crime,” Stefonek says.

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In Marathon County, the number one call that Adult Protective Services receives is for self-neglect. But second most common complaint is financial elder abuse, says the Brenda Christians, adult protective services manager at North Central Health Care in Wausau. Financial abuse accounted for 17% of the calls received last year by the agency, which serves Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade counties. That adds up to 94 calls for the three counties in 2019, Christians says.

And those are just the calls they get.

Many instances of financial elder abuse go unreported, and for a number of reasons, Christians says. Elderly people might not always know they’re being abused; or if they do, they might be embarrassed about it. That’s especially common of people who fall victim to scams, such as the one in which a caller tells someone their granddaughter is in jail and needs money to be bailed out. Lincoln County reported that someone in that county was a victim of that scam just last week, according to the sheriff’s office weekly call log.

Not only can the cases be a challenge to investigate, they also can be a challenge to prosecute, says Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon. Wisconsin statutes don’t have a really good law specific to financial elder abuse, so prosecutors must use existing laws, with an elder abuse modifier where appropriate.

Elderly victims often are reluctant to prosecute Keepa family member, especially one who has been caring for them. Those care-

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Reconciling the case

Lyon’s sister was prosecuted in Minnesota in 2011, and the court process took several years because she often didn’t show up for court, Lyon told City Pages.

It caused a major challenge because Lyon would travel from Wisconsin to Minnesota for the court case, and Lyon’s mother would as well from outside Minnesota, only to find the case had been rescheduled at the last minute.

In the end, Lyon says, her sister was found guilty and had to pay restitution. At one court hearing, Lyon recalls crying on the stand, saying it killed her to have to prosecute her own sister. Lyon says her sister never showed remorse during the proceedings and never admitted to any wrongdoing.

Family trust was hard to give up, which is why even in the beginning, Lyon brushed off suspicious behavior since it was her sister.

Lyon’s father died three years ago, and never recovered financially from the ordeal that took nearly a decade from start to finish. Her mother, now 87, has lost most of her life savings as well.

Lyon says she is sharing her story in the hope she saves someone else the trouble of ever having to go through what she and her family did.

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takers often feel entitled to the money, since they’re putting in the time to watch over a relative, Wetzsteon says. And they often manipulate the victim into believing they’re being care of.

Another challenge with elder financial abuse is investigating where the money went. Often, the person who stole the funds has permission to access those accounts. The perpetrator might say they spent it on something for the victim, and investigators must prove the money was instead spent elsewhere. Most law enforcement agencies don’t have forensic accountants on staff and private services are expensive, Wetzsteon explains.

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June 25–July 2, 2020

SENIOR SPIRIT

by B.C. Kowalski

Brand new, and closed

Two important new facilities for seniors just opened. Then Covid-19 happened.

The year 2020 was starting to look

pretty good for the older generation around Wausau.

The new warm water Aquatic Therapy Pool at North Central Health Care was slated to open. This updated facility, a Marathon County project advocates have for years been clamoring and lobbying for, finally happened after a heroic fundraising effort to offset the public expense.

People also have long bemoaned the Wausau area’s lack of a dedicated senior center. It seemed a glaring omission to senior advocates, but the question always was, Who is going to pay for it? Then the Woodson YMCA in its $40 million expansion plan and partnerships with Aspirus announced it would create a senior center, called The Landing. And it is state of the art.

Both of them did open — The Landing opened last fall, and the therapy pool just a month ago.

But The Landing closed along with the rest of the YMCA during the start of the coronavirus pandemic. And while other parts of the YMCA have opened in limited fashion this month, The Landing remains closed.

The therapy pool, which opened June 1, is open to 10 or fewer people at one time, including staff. There’s a waiting list to get in for appointments right now.

Group and open swims, which have the biggest impact in showing off the new, modern facility (there’s an elevator to get wheelchair bound patients into the pool, for example) are closed for now. “It’s a good lesson in opening slowly,” says NCHC CEO Michael Loy. On a recent Friday morning, therapists worked with clients in the pool, spread out in different corners. Advocates have long lobbied for a new pool because of its medical usefulness. One public meeting on the pool’s importance packed the NCHC auditorium in 2017 with folks attesting to how the pool helped get them back to work following an accident, allowed them to keep mobility into old age and event helped ease dependence on opioid medications.

Without a new pool, eventually NCHC would have had to close the old one out of safety concerns, because it was starting to fall apart.

“They love the fresh new look of the pool,” Aquatic Services Director Brenda Budnik says. “Not that the other one wasn’t useful but when it’s corroding all over, it’s not very inviting.”

More than 250 physicians make referrals to the pool and folks from as far as Minocqua and Rhinelander come to the pool for therapy, she says.

The pool is just the first of a complete campus overhaul NCHC is undergoing right now. A youth crisis center and inpatient treatment facility is close to completion, and work has begun on

Physical Therapy Assistant Kelly Fabry helps patient Clifford Beestman at North Central Health Care’s new therapy pool.

the towers for the new Mount View Care Center nursing home. The pool is the first of the building projects to be completed. “The staff are really excited,” Loy told City Pages. “If this is an indication of what the rest of the campus will look like, the whole project is going to be fantastic.”

How about The Landing? Staff dove hard into virtual events, using online programs such as Zoom and Facebook live and other services to help seniors stay connected, says The Landing’s Operation and Development Director Kate Florek.

That also meant plenty of training to get seniors up to speed on the technology. For something happening over Zoom for example, Florek will call them in advance and walk them through the setup so they can be prepared when the real thing happens.

One example: Florek started a Thursday morning coffee chat over Zoom, where

members talk about what’s happening in the world with other seniors, while remaining in their homes. At first attendance was sparse; maybe half a dozen would join. But since then the numbers have increased to the 30s, Florek says. Things like concerts and cooking classes have been a hit on Facebook Live, she says.

Is there frustration in The Landing not being open? Sure, but people understand why.

“Our population is one of the most vulnerable,” Florek says. She asked one group she works with if they would be interested in planning a trip for 2021, the thought being that it would be something to look forward to. “I got a rousing ‘that’s too soon,’” Florek says.

“I think our population is a little more careful and cautious on the whole.

There are exceptions but on the whole they want to wait.”

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by Jason Krautkramer, J.D.

ECKERT & KRAUTKRAMER, LLC 325 N. 1st Ave., Suite 1 • Wausau, WI 715-842-0907 • jason@eckertlawllc.com

No-Contest Clauses If you’re concerned that a beneficiary may challenge your will or trust, a no-contest clause might discourage them from doing so. A typical no-contest clause provides that a beneficiary who disputes the will or trust will forfeit any inheritance they’d otherwise receive.

In Wisconsin, no-contest clauses are enforceable unless “probable When planning your future affairs, don’t forget your family. They need cause” exists for the challenge.

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715.845.5525 Specialist Specialist death. jamie@brainardfuneral.com jamie@brainardfuneral.com 715.845.5525 715.845.5525 If you see trouble brewing, a no-contest clause is one tool that 522 Adams St., Wausau, WI 54403 | 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476 jamie@brainardfuneral.com jamie@brainardfuneral.com could discourage a legal challenge. www.brainardfuneral.com | 715-845-5525 522 Adams St., Wausau, WI 54403 | 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476

Becomes Tomorrow’s Security

522 Adams St., Wausau, WI 54403 | |5712 Memorial Court,54476 Weston, WI 54476 www.brainardfuneral.com 715-845-5525 522 Adams St.,Adams Wausau, 54403WI | 5712 Memorial Weston, 522 St.,WI Wausau, 54403 | 5712 Court, Memorial Court,WIWeston, WI 54476 www.brainardfuneral.com | 715-845-5525 www.brainardfuneral.com | 715-845-5525 www.brainardfuneral.com | 715-845-5525 991.FH116

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Becomes Tomorrow’s Tomorrow’s Security Becomes Security Becomes Tomorrow’s Security Becomes Tomorrow’s Security

One of the most important things crisis care can provide…

Hope.

An mental or behavioral health emergency can come in any form, at any time, at any age. Where can you turn for support and hope? Here. North Central Health Care will help assess your situation and ensure you receive the support, counseling and resources you need.

No one should have to manage a crisis alone.

There is hope. We are confident.

NCHC Crisis and Emergency Services are available to people of ALL AGES, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and walk-in. No appointment needed.

24-Hour Crisis & Suicide Prevention Hotline 1.800.799.0122 or 715.845.4326 24-Hour Crisis Center – 1100 Lake View Drive, Wausau

www.norcen.org/Crisis Serving Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade Counties

June 25–July 2, 2020

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Tuesday

Unlimited Topping Pizza Build Your Own Burger $3

Wednesday

8oz. New York Strip w/ Baked Potato $9.99 Fish Tacos

Thursday

NEW Chicken Dingers (Boneless Wings) All You Can Eat Wings Choice of 13 Homemade Sauces

Friday early bird

4:00pm-5:30pm: 1 pc Fish Fry Choice of Sides

Try our New Haddock!

Saturday Prime Rib

Sunday

4:30-9pm Steak & Lobster

Sunday Bruch is BACK 10:30-1:30

Soup & Salad Bar is BACK!

BIG GUIDE The largest list of art, dance, lectures, kids’ stuff, movie schedules, music, theater, sports, workshops and many other activities in your community. ▲ Willow Springs Independence Day Celebration

Thursday June 25

R&R Band · Cop Shoppe, Wausau. Polka. 1-3 pm.

715-845-2030

Christy Anna · O’Brien’s on Main, Amherst. Country, folk, gospel. 7 pm. 715-824-3317

Abby and Luke · Tiki Beach, Mosinee. Country. 2-5 pm.

715-341-2232

Fast Times · Cruisin 1724, Wausau, Rock. 8 pm. 715-675-2940

Brian McLaughlin (BMac) · Rock Island, Merrill. Acoustic classics, modern hits. 2 pm. 715-536-8560

Friday June 26 Gody Early Band · District 1 Brewing, Stevens Point.

Alt-country rock and originals. 7:30 pm. 715-544-6707

Knock Point · Cruisin 1724, Wausau. Rock. 8 pm.

715-675-2940 Two Beards · Alfa Heaven MotorSports Bar, Aniwa.

Classic rock. 6 pm. 715-449-2141 Hand Picked · Rock Island, Merrill. Bluegrass, variety.

7 pm. 715-536-8560

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June 25–July 2, 2020

Virginia Steel · Bullheads Bar & Grill, Stevens Point.

Classics with a twist on acoustic guitar, string, wind.

2-6 pm. 715-344-5990 Thursday July 2

Slab · The Office Bar, Schofield. Rock. 7 pm. 715-355-5432

5305 N. 32nd Ave., Wausau 715-675-7070 richards-restaurant.com

Sunday June 28

That 90’s Band · Tiki Beach, Mosinee. Bring your own lawn chair. 6-10 pm. 715-341-2232

The Bad Downs · Bullheads Bar & Grill, Stevens Point.

Rock. 7-11 pm. 715-344-5990

Tues-Sat 4pm-close · Sun 10:30am-close 2 miles N on U.S. 51 to Maine exit Then West to 32nd Ave.

O n S tage

B ar B eat

Saturday June 27

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1987

PHOTO BY JAYNE FOLLIS

NEW MENU ITEMS!

Spicy Tie Band · Tiki Beach, Mosinee. Rock. 6-9:30 pm.

715-341-2232 Friday July 3 Vadas Rock House · Rock Island, Merrill. Party rock.

8:30 pm. 715-536-8560

Northern Round Up · Fri.-Sat. 6/26-27, MC Festival Grounds, Gleason. Celebrates all things vintage: Classic cars and truck, vintage camping, music, minibike races, pinup contest, vendors and more. $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $25 weekend pass. Northernroundup.com.

Music lineup: Fri.: 5 pm Liam Ford Band (retro country rock); 8 pm Robert Allen Piehl & The Roadside Prophets (rockabilly); 10 pm Eric Bestul Blues Band Sat.: 7 pm Hot Rod Walt & The Psycho-Devilles (honky tonk, rockabilly); 10 pm Dirty Martinis Open Night at the Gardens · Tuesdays thru 8/11, Monk Botanical Gardens, Wausau. A mini, well regulated outdoor gathering with a beer garden hosted by Whitewater Music Hall, food truck eats, and live local music, 4-8 pm. Bring your own chair and yard games while maintaining social distance. Must register in advance for a 1.5-hour time block. For age 16+, no dogs allowed. $5 per person, free to members. Register and see other details at MonkGardens.org, or their Facebook page Dining on the Street Music · Wed. 7/1, downtown Wausau. Acoustic musicians perform every Wednesday on Jefferson and Third for outdoor restaurant patrons.

This week: 5-7 pm Daniel Sukow, 7-9 pm Toni Jordan.

WausauRiverDistrict.org

E vents/Spectator Sports Wausau Area Builders Association Parade of Homes · thru Sun. 6/28, Wausau area. Thurs.-Fri. noon-9 pm; Sat.-Sun. 11 am-5 pm. $10. Details at Wausauareabuilders.com (Rescheduled from 6/2-7)

Rothschild Farmers Market · Fridays 11 am-4 pm, thru Oct. 23, at Cedar Creek Mall. rothschildwi.com or lholzem@rothschildwi.com Mosinee Farmer’s Fresh Market · Tuesdays, River Park, Mosinee. Presented by Mosinee Chamber of Commerce.

Noon-2 pm or sold out. Mosineechamber.org, 715-693-4330

State Park Speedway · Thurs. 6/25, State Park Speedway, Wausau. CWRA SLM & Support Divisions.

Stateparkspeedway.com

Kronenwetter Farmers Market · Sundays thru Oct. 25, Sunset Park. 9 am–2 pm. Kronenwetter.org, 715-693-4200, ext. 113

Independence Day Celebration and Car Show· Sun. 6/28, Willow Springs Garden, Wausau. View cars, trucks, antique tractors, blacksmith on site, tractor parade at 2 pm, food, live music, kids games, horse drawn wagon rides, crafts for sale, fireworks at dusk and more. 10 am-10 pm. Free admission.

Details at willowspringsgarden.net, 715-675-1171

Stevens Point Farmers’ Market Mon.-Sat. May thru Oct. (Saturday is the biggest day). Open 7:30 am-noon.

Weekday vendors make own hours. Located at Mathias Mitchell Public Square downtown. On Facebook and stevenspointfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Hands-on Plants Adult Workshop: Coasters · Mon. 6/29, Monk Gardens, Wausau or virtually. Bring nature to the coffee table with wood coasters. 6 pm. Space limited for in-person event, register at Monkgardens.org Central Wis. Water Ski Show (Water Walkers) · Thursdays 7/2 thru 8/27, Lake Dubay at South Bay Beach Park. Water ski tricks, human pyramid, with costumed skiers performing to music. Free, bring lawn chairs. 6:30 pm. Limited concessions available. Cwwaterwalkers.com or 715-409-9276

Merrill Area Farmers Market · Wednesdays & Saturdays thru Oct. 31. Normal Park, five blocks north of courthouse on Center Ave. 7:30 am–12:30 pm. On Facebook and at merrillareafarmersmarket.com

O utdoors /Sports Yoga in the Gardens · Wed. & Thurs. thru Aug., Monk Gardens, Wausau. Bring your own mat and practice on the event lawn (social distancing required) with Kerri Spromberg and Jean Miller. Masks required at all times except when on your mat for yoga. 6-7 pm. $5 cash only

THURSDAY DATE NIGHTS starting Thursday, June 25 (Ongoing. Thursdays thru summer)

For Couples Special Menu

See us on and in the City Pages for upcoming features & events Find us on

50

$

Appetizer to share|Pasta Entree for each Dessert to share|Bottle of Red or White Wine

Pasta made from scratch daily

Gift Certificates Available

OPEN FOR DINING INSIDE & OUTSIDE Dining Mon-Thurs: 5-9pm | Bar Opens at 4pm for cocktails & appetizers | Dining Fri-Sat: 4-10pm Closed Sundays | Keeping our customers and staff safe is our priority Reservations Always Appreciated • Valet parking Thurs. through Sat. only *available to anyone

307 3rd Street | Downtown Wausau | 715.298.2004 | ciaowausau.com

Essential Gravel Bike Ride · thru Sun. 6/28, Ringle area.

Leisurely pace or post your time online for competition, as group or solo. Three looped options of 10, 20, and 44 miles, start/end at Mountain Bay Trailhead at the Marathon Co. Landfill, Ringle. Trails not marked, so download map. Free, but please register to be eligible for prizes. Bikers age 16+ must purchase state trail pass (available at trailhead). Details at ironbull.org.

Badger State Summer Games: Trap Shooting · Sat. 6/27, Marathon Trap & Sportsman Club, Marathon. Junior, adult and senior classes. Details, registration: visitwausau.com Wausau Paddle Adventure · 7/1-12, Oak Island Park boat landing. Paddle at leisurely pace or post time for friendly competition, solo or small group. 4-mile loop not marked, so download map. Free, but register to win prizes. Details at ironbull.org Wisconsin Woodchucks Baseball ▲ · Thurs. 7/2, Athletic Park, Wausau. Game against Fond du Lac Dock Spiders. 6:35 pm. Limited seating/capacity to maintain social distancing, tickets must be purchased in advance. Woodchucks.com, 715-845-5055 Wisconsin Woodchucks Baseball · Fri. 7/3, Athletic Park, Wausau. Game against Wis. Rapids Rafters. 6:35 pm.

Limited seating/capacity to maintain social distancing, tickets must be purchased in advance.

Woodchucks.com, 715-845-5055 State Park Speedway · Thurs. 7/2, State Park Speedway, Wausau. SLM & Support Divisions. Stateparkspeedway.com Fourth of July Festival and Parade · Sat. 7/4, River Park, Mosinee. Firecracker 5K run at 9 am, food trucks, beer tent and craft vendors 11 am-11 pm, live music 1 11 pm, children’s activities, face-painting, mobile petting zoo and more with parade at 6 pm and fireworks at dusk. Presented by Mosinee Area Chamber of Commerce. Free admission. Details at Mosineechamber.org On-going Weston Farmers Market · Saturdays & Tuesdays thru Oct. Corner of Schofield Ave. and Camp Phillips Road (next to Dunkin’ Donuts). Fresh fruits and vegetables, blowers, crafts, food trucks, more. 8 am–2 pm or sold out. 715-359-6114 Wausau Farmers Market · Saturdays & Wednesdays thru Oct., River Dr., Wausau. Run by local farmers, bakers, roasters, beekeepers. 7 am–sold out, and additional Wed. nights 4-8 pm. On Facebook, FarmersMarketofWausau.com Big Bull Falls Farm Market · Saturdays thru late fall.

8 am–noon, 388 River Dr. (parking lot of former VFW, next to the Wausau Farmers Market). On Facebook.

715-572-5255 Aspirus Farmers Market · Thursdays thru Sept.

Parking lot in front of Aspirus Corporate Office, 2200 Westwood Dr., Wausau. 9 am–3 pm or until sold out.

715-843-1217 or tara.draeger@aspirus.org

Firecracker 5K Run/Walk · Sat. 7/4, River Park, Wausau.

Presented by Mosinee Chamber of Commerce. 8 am registration, 9 am race starts. Register: Mosineechamber.org

Kids /Teens Babysitting Rocks · Sat. 6/27, YWCA, Wausau. Ages 10+ learn to respond to emergencies and basic first aid, age appropriate activities, how to make decisions under pressure, communicate with parents and more. 10 am2:30 pm. $40. Register: Eventbrite.com ARTventure Camp: Who Done It? · Mon.-Fri. 6/29-7/3, Center for Visual Arts, Wausau. Geared for ages 6-12, experience life of a working artist, from creating, to pricing, selling and exhibiting. 9 am-noon, and/or 12:30-3:30 pm. $115 half day, $200 full day. Register at Cvawausau.org

BG listings must be received at least 10 days in advance.

Drop your listing off at our Washington Square office or mail to: City Pages, P.O. Box 942, Wausau, WI 54402-0942; email to: bigguide@thecitypages.com or submit online at: thecitypages.com/events/submit.html.

Please include a contact name and phone number.

Hsu’s Ginseng Ent./Wausau WI, seeks Computer Systems Analyst, Duties: Analyze science, engineering, business and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems utilizing Java, Oracle database server, Webservices and XML. Req. Bachelor in Computer Sci. Mail Resume to 237895 County Rd W, Wausau, WI 54403.

June 25–July 2, 2020

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KRAUTKRAMER’S Patti Hoerter, FIC , RICP® Financial Associate 2004 County Rd U (Next to Sound World) Wausau, WI 54401 715-571-2171

BERRY FARM

Cold shoulder from your broker? Let’s talk.

Michael Hamilton Wealth Management Advisor U.S. Bancorp Investments 715.843.8224

MARATHON, WI

CALL FOR TIMES

Michael J. Haight, AAMS® Financial Advisor

214 Grand Avenue, Wausau, WI 54403 715-848-8080 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

michael.hamilton3@usbank.com

27193 R3-14

Sauer’s

OSTROWSKI’S SOFTWASH Kevin Ostrowski • 715-571-2676 SOFTWASH CLEANING: Residential & Commercial

• Roofs • Home Exteriors • Fences • Gutters • Concrete and more…

The SoftWash System is 100% Biodegradable and uses only green power Email: ostrowskisoftwash@gmail.com Fully Insured - Free Estimates

6304 Hubert Ave. Weston

FOR RENT: 1 & 2 BR Apartments

Elevator · On Bus Line Heat, Sewer, Water Included

Reupholstery 715-443-6773

1299 KRAUTKRAMER RD

FURNITURE & BOATS

715-573-1153

West of McDonald’s

2 MONTHS FREE * Exp 7/31/20 New resident leases only.

Independent Living for Seniors 55+

120 Grand Avenue 1-877-377-1434 rentals@capmail.org capservices.org/rentals

Income restrictions may apply. CAP Services is an equal opportunity employer/provider.

Call or email to run your ad here! 715-845-5171 advertising@thecitypages.com

In the convenience of your home or office • Over 4 years of experience in telehealth • Confidential and secure/HIPAA compliant platform • Real-time meetings with your counselor

Strawberries & Raspberries Coming Soon!

3710 County Rd B Marathon, Wi 715.443.2134

Store Now Open in Marathon 670 Maratech Ave.

Come Visit Us! 3710 County Rd. B, Marathon 715-443-2134

USED AND UNUSUAL 715-387-3049 thimbleberry@ verizon.net

Leid’s Greenhouse, Athens Saturday June 27 · 8am-2pm Fresh-baked bread, cakes, cookies, muffins.

Home-made tea and lemonade!

New books, stationary, new fabric.

Fresh Produce, dilly beans, house-hold items, clothing, bikes, garden cultivater.

Home-made laundry soap Tools, Miller Stick Welder, Portable AC, LB White Heater, Dyna Glo Heater, utility wagons, crafts, woooden barrel-planters 2015 Dodge Ram 8’ dually box

Proceeds support local nonprofit

Your STATE CERTIFIED electronics recycler Cost 40¢ per lb • Data Security Guaranteed 1106 Fifth St., Wausau • 715-843-5985 • goodnewswi.com

NOW OPENING OPEN! SOON!

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

wibehavioralhealth.com

NOW OPEN • SUMMER HOURS 9AM-4PM

166 South Central • Marshfield, WI 54449

HOURS Mon.-Wed. & Fri. 9-6 Thurs. 9-8 Sat. 9-3

*Most insurance plans now accepting online counseling

Wausau 715.842.9500 • Plover 715.544.6144

Asparagus Now Ready

Thimbleberry Books

WE ARE OPEN TO SERVE YOU & YOUR FAMILY!

STRAWBERRIES

One thing has not changed amidst the Covid-19 pandemic....

North Central Health Care is still here for YOU providing mental health and substance abuse services for you and your family.

Always call ahead for picking dates and times.

ENGELBERRY FARM (MERRILL) Just 3 miles north of Merrill on Hwy 107

715-536-9091

NCHC Crisis and Emergency Services are available to people of ALL AGES, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and walk-in. No appointment needed.

24-Hour Crisis & Suicide Prevention Hotline

1.800.799.0122 or 715.845.4326

24-Hour Crisis Center – 1100 Lake View Drive, Wausau

www.norcen.org

Serving Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade Counties

• 8 Acres of strawberries to pick • Easy parking, prepicked berries • Your safety is important to us.

THANK YOU for the past years you have chosen to pick at one of our farms.

We hope to see you this season and in years to come.

Details at www.2berryfarms.com

search 2BerryFarms

Search Mike’s Berries and Engelberry Farms

Ya Ya! You Betcha NOW REOPENED!

Stop by for a FREE “Uff dah!” refrigerator magnet no purchase necessary - one to a family

And so much more! Come Visit Us!

GRAND OPENING June 29th at 7am Book Appointments Online at equilibriumacupuncturewi.com or call 715.814.1244

An amazing ability to Heal the Body

Visti our store in the downtown Wausau Center Mall Open Friday, Saturday and Sundays 11am-6pm

· Pain Management & Headache Relief · Emotional Health · Musculoskeletal injuries

880 South View Drive Suite 15231 · Mosinee, WI 54455 · 715-814-1244

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June 25–July 2, 2020

Uffdahhh LLC · uufdahhh.com · 715.298.9339

05520851

Online Counseling