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Rhinelander Chamber Director Receives 'Rising Star' Tourism Award Published on 03/21/2022 under News

A Northwoods chamber director has been dubbed a 'Rising Star' by the state's tourism department.

At the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism, eight individuals and organizations were presented with Tourism Awards. Among them was Lauren Sackett from the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce. Sackett received one of two 'Rising Star' awards.

In the announcement panel said of Sackett, "Her leadership played a crucial role in helping many local tourism businesses survive through the pandemic. Described as the perfect blend of local pride, fearless advocate and compassionate peer, Sackett works tirelessly to bring tourism in the Northwoods to the next level."

In addition to her position with the Rhinelander Chamber, Sackett also contributes to the Northwoods Tourism Council.

Tourism secretary-designee, Anne Sayers. "As tourism continues to rebound, it's the inspired work and brilliant execution from these individuals and organizations that keep Wisconsin on the right path toward recovery. Congratulations to our award winners and all of this year's nominees."

2022 Governor's Tourism Awards winners:

Arts, Culture and Heritage Award - Create Waunakee Committee, Village of Waunakee 

The Village of Waunakee and its "Create Waunakee" Committee celebrate its innovators, creators and artists that make Waunakee a vibrant place to live and explore. Since February 2020, this committee of nine dedicated community volunteers and four village staff members has gone above and beyond to bring amazing programs, ideas and opportunities to Waunakee. Examples include, "Waunakee is Home", a series of monthly interviews with local community members, and the Waunakee Artisan Market, which emphasizes the talents of local artists.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Award - Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower, Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society 

As a recent expansion of the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, the landmark Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower offers ten floors of interactive educational exhibits highlighting maritime history, people and industries. The space is designed to provide accessibility to a lighthouse experience that can accommodate everyone regardless of physical abilities and provides a must-see maritime experience that will draw visitors and create a significant economic boost to the region.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Award - Unique Unites, VISIT Milwaukee 

Unique Unites is an ongoing campaign designed to highlight Milwaukee's eclectic and diverse community with a focus on inclusivity and representation for all who live, work and visit the city. The campaign encourages visitors and locals alike to branch out, explore the city, learn about its diverse community and find their Milwaukee. With this initiative, visitors from all walks of life can feel like they belong in a city where they are represented and included. 

Innovation Award - Wisconsin River Trail Organization 

The Wisconsin River Trail Organization (WRTO) Board formed in 2014 to create a 20-mile hiking and biking trail in the Boscobel/Woodman/Wauzeka area. In addition to the trail creation, there are plans to continue to reinvent the community by converting old feed buildings into a hostel, brew pub, theater, indoor farmers market and much more. The WRTO is made up of community members including nurses, insurance representatives, teachers and secretaries who together serve as mentors in the community and will leave a legacy that will be built upon for years to come.  

Rising Star Award - Amy Albright, Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau 

Amy Albright continuously displays her passion for Oshkosh while leading the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau to ensure economic development through tourism. She has elevated the marketing strategy for the Oshkosh area by jumpstarting its presence on social media, radio and other media outlets. Her unwavering commitment to establish partnerships and foster relationships have longstanding impacts throughout the community.

Rising Star Award - Lauren Sackett, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce 

Since becoming Executive Director of the Rhinelander Area Chamber in June 2018, Lauren Sackett has served as the Treasurer of the Oneida County Tourism Commission and has worked to uplift the entire area by advocating for increased commitment in tourism investment. Her leadership played a crucial role in helping many local tourism businesses survive through the pandemic. Described as the perfect blend of local pride, fearless advocate and compassionate peer, Sackett works tirelessly to bring tourism in the Northwoods to the next level. 

Service Excellence Award - The Racine Zoo 

The Racine Zoo is a 28-acre, accredited zoo along the shores of Lake Michigan that works to create a safe, fun, enriching and educational place for all ages. The Zoo incorporates animals and wildlife conservation education into every part of their work. From guided scout hikes and preschool classes to summer camps and special events, they strive to connect the community with nature. As a result of its ongoing efforts to remove barriers to access, the Racine Zoo recently became the first certified sensory inclusive zoo in Wisconsin.

Legacy Award - Sherry Quamme, Mississippi River Parkway Commission/WI Great River Road 

Sherry Quamme has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving and uplifting numerous municipalities, including her own community of Ferryville. She has been a driving force for tourism and economic development in southwest Wisconsin and has collaborated with more than eight destination marketing organizations to promote the region. She has served on the Mississippi River Parkway Commission/Wisconsin Great River Road, including as Chair, since 2008. Quamme led the efforts to author Wisconsin's first successful All American Road application to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, with the designation being awarded in 2021. No matter the project, Quamme is a forward-thinking leader, and her efforts go above and beyond.

In Other News

Preparing for Potential Ice Storm; Power Outages

Published on 04/01/2026 under News A wintery mix of precipitation isn't unusual at this time of year, and with an ice storm in the forecast overnight officials are reminding residents to take some precautions. In addition to a potentially difficult Thursday morning commute, icing can also lead to power outages. The weight of ice can weigh down or break branches which can fall on power lines or electric equipment. Wisconsin Public Service offers a handy online guide for those looking to cover all the bases before, during, and after a major storm that may result in power outages. We frequently cover home emergency kits, and that remains important. It should include food, water, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit. WPS recommends downloading their app and storing their phone number for any emergency communication. It's a good idea to charge up phones when severe weather approaches. If you have a generator; check that it is accessible, working, and full of gas. Coincidentally, we had a similar ice storm one year ago, almost to the day, that left more than 100,000 people without power, some for several days.

Published on 04/01/2026 under News Last week we highlighted the success of downtown Tomahawk in the Wisconsin Main Street Awards, but they weren't the only Northwoods community that shined. In Eagle River, local businesses and community leaders earned multiple Wisconsin Main Street honors highlighting their impact on downtown revitalization. Andy's Pontoon Saloon took home the Best Business Marketing Campaign award for its popular "Run Club." What began as a simple two-mile group run quickly grew into a weekly event drawing more than 1,500 participants over the season, boosting foot traffic and business activity throughout downtown. This is the second year in a row that Andy's Pontoon Saloon has been recognized; last year, it was named Best New Business. Longtime community leader Jim Holperin was inducted into the Wisconsin Main Street Hall of Fame. Holperin was recognized for decades of leadership, volunteerism, and investment in Eagle River's downtown, including his work with multiple committees and fundraising efforts that helped strengthen the local economy. Another Eagle River honoree, Byron McNutt, was named a 2025 Wisconsin Main Street Community Champion for his ongoing contributions to projects like Rotary Square and his continued support of downtown initiatives. The success of Tomahawk and Eagle River is more impressive competing against 37 Main Street Districts including in larger cities like Wausau, Green Bay and Milwaukee. Local leaders say the awards reflect the strength of community involvement across northern Wisconsin, with volunteers, businesses, and organizations all playing a key role in building vibrant downtowns. Elsewhere, Wausau was also recognized, with the Wausau Night Market earning Best Special Event. The monthly summer gathering has grown into a major attraction, drawing more than 2,000 visitors per event and featuring dozens of vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment.

Published on 04/01/2026 under News Families in the Northwoods have a fun incentive to plan a museum visit this week, with a little baseball bonus. The Northwoods Children's Museum in Eagle River has been selected to participating site for a new statewide promotion through the Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation. As part of the promotion, children ages 17 and under who visit a participating museum this week can receive two free ticket vouchers to select Milwaukee Brewers home games at American Family Field. Coinciding with the start of the MLB season, organizers say the promotion is designed to encourage family learning and play during spring break, while also making it easier for kids to experience Major League Baseball at AmFam Field. The Northwoods Children's Museum is open daily during the promotion, which runs through Saturday. The Children's Imaginarium is also participating in this program.

Published on 04/01/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for outdoor enthusiasts to step up and help keep recreation safe across the state. The DNR is currently recruiting volunteers to serve as safety education instructors for programs like hunter education, ATV and UTV safety, snowmobiling, and boating. Officials say instructors play a key role in shaping safe habits for the next generation. Hunter Education Administrator Lieutenant Renee Thok says instructors leave a lasting impression on students and help create a safer environment for everyone who enjoys Wisconsin's outdoors. The need goes beyond hunting. DNR leaders say safety programs for off-highway vehicles and water recreation also rely heavily on volunteers. Lieutenant Jacob Holsclaw says Wisconsin is safer because of instructor dedication, but more help is needed. To qualify, volunteers should have experience in their area of interest, have completed a Wisconsin safety education course themselves, and be willing to commit time to teaching and mentoring others. Anyone interested in becoming an instructor can learn more through the DNR's website.

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Published on 04/01/2026 under News The case will move forward for a Tomahawk woman charged in connection with her young daughter's death. Katelyn Nardi was back in Lincoln County Court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing and arraignment. The 27 year old is facing two felony charges: 1st degree reckless homicide and neglecting a child resulting in death. Investigators say Nardi's five year old daughter died last October after being left alone in the bathtub for at least five minutes while Nardi prepared the young girl for bed. At Tuesday's hearing, Judge Galen Bayne Allison ruled there is probably cause for the case to move forward. Nardi then entered a plea of 'not guilty'. A scheduling hearing was set for June 4. Nardi is being held on $150,000 bond.

Published on 03/31/2026 under News -Photo provided by Pine River Fire Department A shed used for maple syrup production was burned in a weekend fire in Lincoln County. According to the Pine River Fire Department, crews were called to a structure fire on Highway 64 in the Town of Pine River Sunday evening at shortly before 8pm. Within minutes, a Lincoln County deputy was first on the scene and reported the shed was fully engulfed and beginning to collapse. While no other structures were at immediate risk, the fire began spreading into the nearby woods. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire. No injuries were reported. The shed, along with it's contents were a total loss. The homeowner reported the shed was part of his maple syrup production and suspected that was the cause of the fire. This is actually the second recent incident involving a sugar shack or maple syrup production following an incident in Marathon County earlier this month.

+ Read More Fire in Nokomis Shed

Published on 03/31/2026 under News A shed is a loss following a fire in Oneida County Monday morning. Crews with the Nokomis Fire Department were called to a property on Siemering Drive at shortly before noon for a report of a structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find the building engulfed. They were able to contain the fire to the storage building, and prevent it from spreading to other structures or further into the nearby wooded areas. The shed and its contents, which included a boat, were lost in the fire. It wasn't immediately known what caused the fire.

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Published on 03/31/2026 under News The Tomahawk Public Library continues to benefit from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. The Foundation recently highlighted an investment in outdoor themed activities at the Tomahawk Public Library thanks, in part, to a NRF grant. The library often takes advantage of its scenic river-side location with nature-themed investments. According to the announcement, the Tomahawk Public Library recently stocked up on new nature-themed books for both the children and adult areas! They also installed a birdfeeder with a camera and led multiple youth reading and library enrichment programs. The Tomahawk Public Library Natural Resources Education Fund established by David and Joyce Weizenicker and continuously supported by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

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