Community
What Children (and Everyone Else) Need to Read
What Children (and Everyone Else) Need to Read
Join us Tuesday, December 13 at 6 PM for In Your Own Backyard. We will watch a Ted Talk and discuss Book banning. Recently book banning affected the Marathon County Public Library.
Children’s author, Donna Jo Napoli, has received over 23 book awards most notably from the Parents’ Choice Silver Honor for her book “North” and “The King of Mulberry Street”. She was the keynote speaker in November, 2011, at the United Nations “Awake Not Sleeping” program which honored the collection of feminist fairy ...
Knock it Off With the Greenwashing
I must commend the many people who are stepping up to the plate in Marathon County with concerns about their drinking water. Recently Green Light Metals has again tried to put themselves in the forefront saying they are here for the green economy. Marathon County residents are too smart to be “green-washed.”
The Inflation Reduction Act itself is not a cure-all for bad mining practices of the past. I only hope the IRA monies will go for education and technology. Let’s try to learn better and less invasive techniques for mining, not hand out subsidies to mining ...
Leave Rib Mountain Alone
In 2018, 5,000 signatures were collected to oppose the proposed Granite Peak ski hill expansion on Rib Mountain State Park. Did someone not hear the voice of the people?
Fast-forward to now, 2022, the DNR released the Rib Mountain State Park Master Plan Revision, allowing an additional 100 acres for the ski hill expansion.
Rib Mountain, without a doubt, is one of Wisconsin’s most precious resources. It is a gem – a wonder – and it is right in our backyard. Rather than preserving and protecting the very fragile natural environment that exists on this ...
Happy 10-Year Anniversary Middle Wisconsin
As we move toward the end of another year, I find myself reflecting…..
I received the greatest phone call one night. It was my activist buddy Matt. I hadn’t heard from him in a year or so. Times and causes change, people change interests, people move. This was a flood of memories for both of us from Act 10 to the early days of Middle Wisconsin. Matt, his wife, Jen, and I go way back. There was a trip to the Penokees once with nothing but a bag of honey crisp apples. To this day, those were without a doubt the best apples I ever ate. We talked about everything ...
Life is Better With a Union
Life is certainly better when you belong to a union. We were so fortunate to have Congressman Mark Pocan speak at our AFSCME Convention. His message was loud and clear: get out and vote. There is so much on the line.
Union members generally make more money. We fight for fair wages and equal rights for women. Union members believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Our group of retiree’s support Medicare and Medicaid so seniors and the most vulnerable have access to quality care. Anyone who works all their life should be able to retire with financial ...
If You Can Walk, You Can Snowshoe!
The Friends of Rib Mountain State Park announce our Candlelight Snowshoe Hikes will be January 7 and February 4. The event is co-chaired by Karen Graff and Nancy Stencil. Snowshoe rentals will be available from Joel Braatz.
We are REALLY excited since these are the first snowshoe hikes we've been able to host since January and February, 2020 due to COVID. It will be good to be able to see all those smiling faces. The Friends of Rib Mountain State Park have hosted these snowshoe hikes for over 20 years, giving people the opportunity to try something new without ...
ACT 134
To Marathon County Board of Supervisors:
I am writing in support of the resolution, titled: RESOLUTION TO CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO
PROTECT MARATHON COUNTY FROM THE IMPACTS OF METALLIC SULFIDE EXPLORATION AND MINING.
I currently live in Madison, Wisconsin and am a Political Scientist, specializing in federalism and
intergovernmental relationships. But I spent much of my early life living in Colby, Wisconsin in Marathon
County and still have extended family living all around the county. I know many farmers and small
business owners who live in the area around ...
Drilling in the Chequamegon Forest
Drilling plans underway for gold deposits near Wausau and in Chequamegon National Forest
(Wausau, WI) If Toronto-Ontario, Canada based GreenLight Metals has its way, the winter of 2022-2023 will be a busy time for metallic sulfide mine development in Wisconsin. GreenLight has submitted plans to start exploration drilling at many of Wisconsin’s most loved natural features – The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, The Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and The Dells of the Eau Claire State Natural Area, are all being targeted.
Project documents here: https://dnr.wi...
Book Banning
An important issue right now is the potential banning of the book Gender Queer from the Marathon County Public Library shelves. The topic is likely to be brought up at the Library Board meeting Monday, Oct. 17, 12 noon in the Community Room at the Library. Many people who think the book is inappropriate for young people have spoken up to the Board members. People with different views may be unaware this issue is even going on.
Gender Queer: A Memoir is a 2019 graphic memoir written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe. It recounts Kobabe's journey from adolescence to ...