events: Things to do around Monroe WI - Thanksgiving weekend - 11/25/09 03:25 AM
Happy Thanksgiving! Are you looking for something to do after the traditional dinner is finished? ~ Come to Downtown Monroe on Friday evening for the annual Lighted Holiday Parade. The parade kicks off from the middle school starting at 6 pm. This year's theme is "Frosty and Friends". Many of the entrants will be creative in their use of lighting, and generators are donated for use by PDC. ~ New Glarus lights the Community Holiday Tree this Friday evening at 6:30. Come downtown for all the festivities and join your neighbors to see the magic of the lights. ~ Turner Hall … (0 comments)

events: Annual Festival of Trees in Green County, WI - 11/18/09 07:48 AM
Help out four local non-profit groups while having a good meal and entertaining evening. Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn't it?
The annual Festival of Trees is coming up quickly. This event is scheduled for December 5 this year. The silent and live auctions are always great fun, and all proceeds will benefit either Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Theatre, Green County Humane Society, Green Haven Family Advocates or Green County Habitat for Humanity.
Entertainment this year will be provided by the Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Choir. Forty members of the youth choir will perform a variety of … (0 comments)

events: Things to Do Around Monroe WI - 09/24/09 07:51 AM
Are you looking ahead to the weekend plans? Here is a snapshot of area events in the upcoming days:
~ Behring Senior Center in Monroe has a Brat Fest every fall, and it is here again. On Thursday from 10 am until 6 pm, you can stop in for single brats at $3 each or a meal for $6 (brat, chips, soda/water, and a cookie).
~ The Young Professionals of Green County are playing wiffleball and kickball with the YP of Freeport on Saturday at Little Cubs Field at 2 pm. Bring the whole family for a day of fun. … (3 comments)

events: Speechless Sunday: Up, Up, and Away! - 06/14/09 12:07 PM

 
All Rights Reserved, photographed in Monroe, WI in June of 2008
… (2 comments)

events: Community Picnic Series begins Wednesday - 06/14/09 10:23 AM

Good food.  Good conversation.  Good music.  Any regular reader know that I love all three, so I am excited about the community picnic series beginning this week.
This week starts the first of a three-part series of free community picnics. “Stirring the Pot: Dialogue, Discussion and Dinner in the Dairyland,” is sure to be an engaging and fun forum for area residents to gather and learn more about creating a healthy, green and sustainable local food system.
Come sit on the Monroe Arts Center lawn on a blanket and enjoying your picnic. Watch area chefs share secrets for cooking … (0 comments)

events: Lambs and Lettuces Festival in Blanchardville this weekend - 06/12/09 07:32 AM
 
If you are still looking for something fun and different to do this weekend, may I suggest tomorrow's Lambs and Lettuces Festival at Circle M Farm?
Circle M is a sustainable market farm about thirty minutes northwest of Monroe. The owner, Kriss Marion, has become well known for her blog on farm life. Honest, frank and frankly funny sometimes, the blog features everything from "pigwatch" for a birthing sow to CSA share updates.
Circle M offers CSA shares (though they are full for the 2009 season), sustainable meats, and Maid Marion woolen goods. If you want a taste of farm … (0 comments)

events: Things to do around Monroe, WI - first week of June - 06/03/09 04:12 AM
From Zen mediation to bluegrass, there is a lot going on in the area in the next week!
~ Tour a local garden with the Green County Garden Club on Thursday. Jeff Burandt will give a guided tour of his ponds and a discussion on water gardening. Call Wanda at 608 219-8480 for time and address.
~ Have you signed up for the Sugar River Golf Outing? The Belleville Chamber put together this outing for Saturday at Arguement Golf Course. $25 includes includes 9 holes of golf with a cart, along with steak dinner and beer after wards, and prizes. Call … (0 comments)

events: Monroe Theatre Guild looking for youth workshop scholarship sponsors - 06/01/09 03:47 AM
In July, Monroe Theatre Guild has the first run of their new Fairytale Theatre children's theater workshop and performance.
Fairytale Theatre is much more than just a play for children. Up to 60 children ages 8-18 may enroll in this combination workshop and performance event.  High school students will direct it under the tuttelage of Dave Bristow, learning the art of directing in a hands on fashion.
Kids ages 12-18 have the option of enrolling as part of the scenic and technical crew. They will learn directly from MTG powerhouse Suzanne Miller as they help to design, build and paint … (2 comments)

events: Things to do around Monroe, WI: May 27 - June 2 - 05/27/09 02:26 PM
It is time to take a look ahead at what is going on in the area in the upcoming week: 
The Young Professionals of Green County are going mini golfing on Thursday, May 28. Join us at 6:30 pm at Swissland Mini Golf in New Glarus. The cost is only $7.50, and I've been told that YPs can feel free to bring the family. On June 11, the YPs will be having a business showcase featuring yours truly talking about the benefits of working with an EcoBroker and green real estate for everyone while touring a local home. More details on … (0 comments)

events: Brodhead Airport - a local hidden gem - 05/18/09 04:04 AM
We made it over to the EAA Chapter 431 pancake breakfast at the Brodhead airfield on Sunday. If you didn't, go ahead and get out your calendar to mark it right now for next year's event. The breakfast of pancakes, sausages, eggs and juice was $6 for adults, and the food was very good. Some pancake breakfasts aren't so great anymore, but this is one of the good ones. The people manning the griddles even made up some Mickey Mouse pancakes for the kids, much to their delight. There were small planes landing and taking off all morning. It was interesting … (3 comments)

events: Upcoming workshop "See Jane Grow" - 04/14/09 06:07 AM
Positive change is brewing in America’s countryside with women-owned businesses growing at twice the national rate. Women also constitute one of the largest, fastest-growing groups purchasing farms today.
These trends will be showcased at an upcoming free seminar, “See Jane Grow,” in Monroe on April 30 at 6:00 pm. The interactive seminar offers support to existing women ecopreneurs and those who hold dreams of launching their own business related to food and agriculture.
“From farmers to food artisans, from mompreneurs to retail business owners, women launching green business prioritize more than profit,” explains Lisa Kivirist, co-author of the award-winning book, ECOpreneuring … (0 comments)

events: Local Foods Initiative - 03/16/09 07:24 AM
Award winning breweries.  CSAs.  Cheese factories.  Catalog classic The Swiss Colony.  Family farms.  Market gardeners. 
Obviously, food plays a large role in our lives here in Green County.
There is a new initiative beginning that has the goal of getting more of our local foods into local homes as well as helping people start the value-added food businesses they have always dreamed of, but never had the resources or support to begin.
The group, sponsored by UW Extension, is currently doing a survey to assess demand for a community kitchen in order to secure funding. If you currently have a small … (3 comments)

events: February events with the Young Professionals of Green County - 02/06/09 08:26 AM
Young Professionals of Green County is a group with a mission: "Our mission lies within our motto of 'Connecting, Celebrating, and Developing Green County's Young Professionals.' Our purpose is to provide existing and future YPs who live or work in Green County with a means to network while having fun."
The group is sponsoring two events in the month of February.
Their scheduled event is a trip to Rockford to watch the Icehogs play the Lake Erie Monsters on February 20. They will meet at the Swiss Colony parking lot at 5 pm, with a stop at the Culvers in Winnebago … (0 comments)

events: Things to do in Monroe, WI - 02/04/09 04:12 AM
Come out, come out, where ever you are! There is always something going on here in Cheese Country.  In addition to the regular recreation opportunities like cross country skiing or enjoying a book and a mocha at Fat Cat Coffee or Café Claudeen, consider the following:
~ The 22nd annual Wisconsin Regional Arts Program Competition and Exhibit opens at Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center on Thursday. The exhibit will run for the entire month of February. The program will culminate with an artist’s workshop from 10 am until 3 pm on Saturday, February 28. The workshop is open to … (2 comments)

events: Roller skates anyone? - 02/03/09 06:55 AM
We all need to get out and exercise this time of year. With that in mind, our family spent the afternoon roller skating at The Den in Monroe for the first time in far too long. It was such a great place for the entire family.  Skating at The Den is much more fun than a treadmill, and the kids will love it too. The Den changed hands a while back, and the new owners are certainly doing a wonderful job making their establishment a place that is fun for kids of all ages as well as adults.They have a choice … (0 comments)

events: Things to do in Monroe, WI - 01/21/09 02:28 AM
Looking for something to do in and around Green County in the upcoming week or so? Here is a sampling of events going on in the area:~ Classic? Vodka? Dirty? Chocotini? Appletini? Here is another plug for the Young Professionals of Green County and their first gathering for the New Year. They are sponsoring a Martini Tasting on January 22 starting at 5 pm. Come meet at Flanagan's Shenanigans on the south side of Monroe's Downtown Square. Luis and I will be there, so be sure to say hi if you come.~ Unleash your inner thespian! Monroe Theatre Guild is holding … (3 comments)

events: Things to do in Monroe, WI - 01/14/09 07:52 AM
Don't let the cold winter weather force you to hibernate!
Get out and enjoy the many options for entertainment and education available in the next week.  There are some great events going on in Monroe and Green County.
~ Styles ala Carte takes place again tomorrow, Thursday, January 15. Enjoy lunch and a fashion show at Turner Hall in Monroe from 12 until 1:30.
~ This weekend in New Glarus is the annual Winter Fest Veterans Reunion. The early bird gathering is on Thursday evening, and events take place throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
~ Feel like karaoke? You can warble … (2 comments)

events: Help improve the quality of life here in Green County - 01/07/09 03:31 AM
Future Forward! is a group dedicated to improving the quality of life in Green County to help attract and retain young professionals to our area.
If you are curious about their mission or would like to help in any way, consider coming to the next meeting. Future Forward! will be meeting on Thursday, January 8 from 5:30 until 7:30 pm at Minhas Brewery. There will be a social time from 5 until 5:30 that will include a sampling of Minhas products and a light supper.
The meeting will include a workshop to list Green County's many assets for young professionals. They … (3 comments)

events: Ringing in 2009 in Green Country, Wisconsin - 12/20/08 03:41 AM
It feels like I am skipping head in the holiday scheme of things, but I just realized that it is already December 20.
If you have not made your plans yet for New Year's Eve, there are a few events going on in the area.
Tofflers New Year's Eve with Joel Pingitore and the Play Ground of Sound:  Toffler's in New Glarus often features live music, and New Year's Eve is no exception. Their blue moon blacklight party will have live blues inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, and there will be free party favors and champagne at midnight. … (3 comments)

events: Things to do in Monroe, WI - 11/25/08 04:10 AM

Winter activities are starting in full force, and with them come the annual holiday events. There is a lot to do in and around Monroe in the upcoming weeks!
The annual Christkindlemarkt is happening this weekend, November 28 and 29, at Turner Hall in Monroe. The Christkindlmarkt is a German tradition dating back to the 14th century. Ours features unique items from hand-selected quality vendors for your holiday gift-giving. A European cafe and Swiss baked goods round out this special shopping experience.
Rainbow Fleece Farm in New Glarus is having their annual holiday Open House on November 29 and … (2 comments)