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“Main Street Mania”: Downtown Tomahawk Celebrating Successful Summer with Cookout, Sales

Published on 08/14/2026 under News As another successful summer season winds down in Tomahawk, local businesses are celebrating strong crowds with a refreshed downtown event. "Main Street Mania," a newly rebranded celebration that kicked off Thursday and runs through Saturday, combines the town's traditional sidewalk sales and annual customer appreciation day into a single three-day festival. Throughout the weekend, downtown merchants are featuring outdoor sidewalk sales, vendor meet-and-greets, and exclusive store specials. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz notes that downtown foot traffic remained strong all summer, with both locals and visitors filling the district. For organizers, Main Street Mania is both a celebration of a successful season and an open invitation for newcomers to discover what the historic district has to offer. Turkiewicz says, "We want to say thank you for helping keep our downtown vibrant. And for folks who aren't familiar with our downtown, what an amazing opportunity to come take a walk around and see what we have to offer." Today is an ideal day to attend, as organizers are hosting a community picnic and family activities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As Turkiewicz puts it, "There's a little something for everybody."

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Between school, sports, and busy schedules, getting the entire family around the dinner table can be tricky. However, healthcare providers at Aspirus Health emphasize that families don't need a nightly, formal routine to see real results. Research shows that sharing just three meals together a week, whether a quick Monday breakfast or a weekend pizza night, can make a big difference. While gathering around the table can improve physical health, the benefits extend far beyond nutrition. Sitting down face-to-face helps kids build crucial social skills, navigate conflict, and unplug from screens in an increasingly digital world. Dr. Gretchen Karstens, an Aspirus pediatrician says, "Kids tend to have a significantly lower risk for depression, anxiety, and disordered eating habits when they are able to eat together," says. Kids aren't the only ones who benefit. Studies show that 91% of parents report that family meals reduce stress in their household. Dr. Karstens emphasizes that the atmosphere matters far more than the menu. Simple sandwiches or takeout provide the exact same mental and emotional benefits as an elaborate home-cooked meal.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Over the past decade, a dedicated group of community organizers has turned a simple backyard cookout into one of the largest regional fundraisers for children facing critical illnesses. The annual Wishes for Kids Pork Roast returns this Saturday to Surewood Forest on Lake Alice. The family-friendly event serves as the organization's primary fundraiser, benefiting the northern chapter of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Last year alone, the single-day event drew around 500 attendees and raised a record $30,000. Since its inception, Wishes for Kids has raised over $211,000 and granted wishes for 32 children living right here in the Northwoods. Organizer Dave Duranceau, "We have a beautiful community here that helps make all of this work." For organizers, the heart of the event is captured on the "Wall of Wishes" inside Surewood Forest, which displays framed photos, letters, and stars sent back by wish recipients and their families. While many children request trips to theme parks or sporting events, organizers say other wishes are deeply personal such as wheelchair-accessible home decks or local hunting trips. Festivities for tomorrow's event get underway at 2:00 p.m. with games, raffles, and live entertainment. The cookout-style meal follows at 4:00 p.m., featuring food donated by local sponsors to keep the ticket price locked at $10.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Lake Minocqua is buzzing all summer long with boats of every shape and size, but this weekend, paddlers hit the water for a purpose. Marking "a decade of the dragon," the 10th Annual Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival takes place this Saturday. Since launching in 2016, the free, family-friendly event has drawn thousands of spectators and hosted more than 100 teams from 13 states and Canada. Powered by 20 side-by-side paddlers, a steerer, and a rhythm-keeping drummer, the 45-foot-long dragon boats will race in heats across Lake Minocqua. The competition features a variety of divisions, including competitive clubs, community teams, and a breast cancer survivors division. Beyond the spectacle, there is a clear mission behind the paddling. Having raised over $1 million for regional healthcare initiatives over the past decade, this year's festival is raising funds for a remote trail ambulance to support local emergency medical services. Festivities actually get underway later today with team practices, food vendors, and live entertainment. The main action takes place throughout the day on Saturday, kicking off at 8:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony, the traditional "Awakening of the Dragon." They race out of Torpy Park in Minocqua, and admission is free for all spectators.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Persistent dry conditions across the Northwoods continue to expand, according to the latest data released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Climatologists report that precipitation deficits across the region have grown significantly over the past six weeks, pushing large swaths of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas counties deeper into moderate-to-severe drought status. Overall, dry conditions now cover most of the northern half of the state. Local agricultural producers are reporting stressed crops, while forestry officials warn that drying timber, brush, and leaf litter are creating an elevated wildfire risk. Waterfront property owners across the region have also noted receding shorelines and declining water levels on many inland lakes. With rain chances diminishing in the weekend forecast, residents and visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution with outdoor fires, equipment, and anything that could ignite a spark.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Four local agricultural leaders have been named statewide finalists for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's prestigious 35 Under 35 Award. Presented by the Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) Program, the awards recognize outstanding young farmers and industry professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to the future of agriculture across five categories. Out of 35 finalists selected across Wisconsin, four represent the Northwoods. From Langlade County, Samantha Solin is a finalist in the Sustainable Future category, which honors those dedicated to preserving generational success and farm sustainability. Fellow Langlade County native Mary Fronek is a finalist in Sustainable Service, recognizing leaders who serve the agricultural industry through trade skills or advisory roles. In the Sustainable Environment category, both Ben Sosnovske (Lincoln County) and Nathan Utecht (Marathon County) are in the running. Ashley Lisowe, Chair of the YFA Program says, "We are excited to recognize these outstanding young leaders who are making a difference on their farms and in their communities." The overall category winners will be announced during the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference this December.

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault Places 3rd in 400 meter dash

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

Published on 06/03/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfing season would end in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Spooner Wednesday, placing ninth at the Spooner Golf Club. Tomahawk would finish with a 345, 13 strokes behind St. Croix Central. The top Hatchet golfer in the Sectional meet was Jake Albert, who placed 28th overall with an 82. Rounding out the top three were Rocco Carew with an 83 and Oliver Childers with an 87. Jaxon Kaiser finish with a 93 and Brayden Lamer finished with 100. This concludes the Tomahawk golfing season.

Published on 05/29/2026 under Sports Junior Athlete Elise Gibeault and Sophomore Athlete Ellie Micke would become the only Hatchets to qualify for the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next weekend. Gibeault would finish second in both the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault would re-set personal bests and school records in both events. The Junior finished with a run of 25.74 seconds in the 200 meter dash and a run of 56.39 seconds in the 400 meter dash. Gibeault would place behind only Hayward's Harper Sheehan in both events. As for Micke, she was the last qualifier in the field in the High Jump. Micke tied for the 4th spot in the sectional and would advance by way of tiebreaker. Micke's leap in the High Jump was 5'3". Gibeault and Micke will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in La Crosse Friday. Field Events begin at 3:00 PM. Running events begin at 3:30 PM.

Published on 05/28/2026 under Sports Despite coming back from down four runs in the fifth inning, Tomahawk's baseball squad would fall in extra innings in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field to the Crandon Cardinals, 8-5. The Hatchets trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning before tying the game up behind two-run hits from Nick Arndt and Max Larson. After the Hatchets stranded the winning run on third in the seventh, Crandon rolled off three runs off Hatchet pitcher Logan Norman to take the lead. Tomahawk would bring the tying run to the plate, but Arndt flew out to center to end the game and the season. Arndt finished two for five with a triple and two RBIs. Max Larson finished one for five with a double and two RBIs. Despite pitching five scoreless innings and retiring ten straight, Norman absorbed the loss on the mound. The Hatchets finish the 2026 season with a 9-11 record and a 7-7 Great Northern Conference record. Tomahawk graduates Norman, Arndt, Jonah Dickens, Wally Horabik, Colton Seslar, and Brody Hilgendorf.

Published on 05/27/2026 under Sports The Marawood Conference Champion Prentice Golf Team won the WIAA Regional Championship on Tuesday at the Inshalla Country Club. The Bucs set a school scoring record with a 297. Ladysmith finished 30 strokes behind Prentice. Eliah Harding led the way with an even par 70, Matti Heikkinen shot a 74, Hagan Isaacson a 76, Evan Lord a 78 and Jackson Isaacson shot a 79. Prentice will compete in the WIAA Sectional Meet on Tuesday at Big Fish Golf Club in Hayward. The first tee times are at 9:00 am.

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