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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

Rhinelander, Merrill Among ‘Carnegie Libraries’ to Receive Foundation Grants

Published on 12/04/2025 under News More than a century ago, Andrew Carnegie helped fund the construction of more than 1,600 public libraries around the country. Now those libraries are set to receive a substantial gift from his Foundation including some Northwoods locations. Between the 1880's and 1910's, there were 65 Carnegie-funded libraries built in Wisconsin. Currently 47 buildings remain, but just 22 still operate as libraries. As part of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Carnegie Foundation pledged $10,000 gifts to the approximately 1,280 Carnegie libraries. Among the recipients is the Rhinelander District Library, built back in 1903. Library Director Virginia Roberts says, "This gift honors the history of Carnegie Libraries and the role they have played in communities nationwide for more than a century." Roberts called the grant a 'timely gift' as the library is in the midst of a fundraising campaign. They are currently planning a multi-phase renovation and restoration project including the original Carnegie entrance. They aren't the only Northwoods library set to receive funding. The TB Scott Free Library in Merrill is another Carnegie library that announced they will be receiving a grant. The funds will be awarded to the libraries in January.Photo provided by the Rhinelander District Library-A composite photo of the current library (left) and the original library (right)

Published on 12/04/2025 under News With winter weather now upon us, there are plenty of adventures awaiting in Lincoln County. The ongoing partnership between Lincoln County and Discover Wisconsin continues. They have now released another video focused on Winter in Lincoln County. The narrator describes the area as a 'playground of snow and ice,' while exploring some of the many recreational opportunities available once the weather turns cold. The segment highlights two popular events specifically. The first half of the video is dedicated to the family-friendly Alice in Winterland ice fishing tournament which is held each February on Lake Alice. For the second half, they head south to Lake Alexander for the Ice Drags racing weekends. Both segments provide interviews with organizers and participants along with some scenic shots including drone footage. The video went live on the Discover Wisconsin YouTube Channel Wednesday evening. We'll include a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 12/04/2025 under News While many elves already have a jump start on their Christmas decorations, others may use this first weekend in December to hang lights. Officials are encouraging people take safety seriously for a happy holiday season. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average there are about 160 holiday decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of the injuries involving falls. Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says, "Holiday decorations should bring joy and not danger into people's homes. By taking a few extra moments to prevent hazards in your homes, you can create a joyful and safe environment." Ready Wisconsin offered a few quick tips:Choose a sturdy ladder that is the correct height and weight limit, and make sure it is placed on level grounds. Wear shoes that allow for good traction. Avoid standing on things likes chairs, counters or tables.Clear pathways including outdoor sidewalks of trip hazards, such as clutter, power cords and extra furniture.As for the lights, inspect both the bulbs and the cords for damage. Avoid overloading the circuits and outlets.Be mindful of fire dangers, keep trees watered and turn off the lights when you go to bed.

Published on 12/04/2025 under News An Athens man accused of cutting the brake lines of another man's vehicles on multiple occasions has reached a plea agreement. David Genrich pleaded no-contest to one count of attempted first-degree recklessly endangering safety and three counts of criminal damage to property. In exchange 5 other charges were dismissed, but will be considered during sentencing. The 24 year old was arrested in April of 2023 after an investigation into multiple instances of vehicle brake lines being cut. Following the second incident, the victim set up a surveillance camera capturing an individual, that matched the description Genrich. The plea agreement before a jury trial scheduled for later this month. According to the court calendar, a sentencing hearing was scheduled for April 2.

Published on 12/04/2025 under News A chilly week has ice forming on area waterways, but officials are reminding folks to stay off until more ice forms. It's important to note that no ice is completely safe and many factors affect ice strength. This includes fluctuating temperatures, water levels, snow cover and currents. With that in mind, a general rule of thumb is 2 inches or less, stay off entirely. When ice reaches 2-4 inches it may support some activities by foot. Any equipment such as ice shanties, ATVs, and snowmobiles should wait for at least a half foot of ice. When in doubt, it's best to wait. Whenever you venture onto the ice, let someone known where you'll be and when you plan to return. They also recommend some emergency tools including a segment of rope, a life preserver and a cellphone in a waterproof case.

Published on 12/03/2025 under News Fire stations around the Northwoods have become a bit more festive in recent days, but there's a reason behind the decoration. It's all part of the annual 'Keep the Wreath Green' campaign. During the holiday season, participating fire departments hang wreaths on their stations outfitted with green bulbs. When the agency responds to a fire, they change one of the green bulbs to a red one. The wreath serves as a visual reminder of the fire risks over the holiday season, one of the busiest stretches for fire departments nationwide. We saw that here in the Northwoods over the most recent Thanksgiving holiday. In just a few years, crews responded to life-changing fires in Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties. Here in Lincoln County, both the Tomahawk and Merrill Fire Departments participate in 'Keep the Wreath Green'. A few fire safety tips for the holidays...keep your Christmas tree watered and be careful not to overload electrical outlets. Keep an eye on food cooking, and avoid open flames and candles near flammable materials. These wreaths will remain up through the New Year's holiday, hopefully remaining green during that time.

Published on 12/03/2025 under News The 2025 Wisconsin gun-deer season has come to a close, and the harvest was just shy of last year's totals. The DNR provided a recap of the nine-day gun deer season Tuesday. According to the data, hunters registered 182,000 deer. That's down less than a percentage point when compared to last year's total, and 1.5% below the five year average. But hunters have seen a bit more success when factoring in the archery/crossbow seasons. As of Tuesday, the overall deer harvest including the bow hunts came in at approximately 295,000. That's up 1.1% from last year. Among factors that may have impacted the season was the relatively late start on the calendar, which traditionally has led to a slight drop. Weatherwise, after a quiet opening weekend, hunters across the state had to contend with major winter storms that crossed the northern portions of the state mid-week and central and southern Wisconsin during the second weekend of the season. The purchase of hunting licenses also saw a decline of less than a percentage point. Across all seasons, 790,000 hunters purchasing a tag. And it was a relatively safe 9-day gun/deer season. After two opening weekend firearm incidents, the DNR says there were no additional incidents reported for the remainder of the season.

Published on 12/03/2025 under News The Rhinelander Community will be celebrating a special birthday during an annual community event this evening. The Rhinelander School District and their partners will be hosting their 4th annual Hodag Day at the Dome celebration. Each December, they inviting the community to come enjoy the Dome with games, activities and entertainment. This year's theme is the 132nd Birthday Bash for the Hodag, the iconic, mythical beast that has become a symbol of the community. Organizers invite community members young and old to stop by and enjoy some of the activities they have planned. As part of the celebration, the district will host a Youth Entrepreneur Market. They explained this as an opportunity for students from the Rhinelander schools to sell some the products they produce. Doors open at 3:30pm and the Hodag Day at the Dome runs through 6pm.

Published on 12/03/2025 under News It's looking a little more winter-like outside. It serves as a good reminder that winter parking rules are now in place across many Northwoods communities. Here in the City of Tomahawk, winter parking rules went into effect as of December 1. That means no parking on city streets between 2:30am and 5am. While the goal is to allow room for plows to operate, the rules apply whether there is snow or not. A first offense ticket is $25. The winter parking rules here in Tomahawk run through March 15. Most other Northwoods communities have their own overnight winter parking rules in effect. These rules may vary, and drivers are encouraged to check local rules before parking.

Published on 12/03/2025 under News A Northwoods deer has a second lease on life following a water rescue. According to the St. Germain Fire Department, resident on Lost Lake reported that a deer had ventured out onto the newly formed ice and broke through. Responders arrived on the scene and assessed the situation, which they noted is a key step in any ice/water response. After determining it would be safe to proceed, a pair of responders suited up with their ice rescue gear. They broke up the ice to reach the struggling deer and created a path back to shore. In addition to rescuing the deer, they noted it provided a good training opportunity ahead of the ice rescue season. And the department noted the incident also serves as a good reminder to exercise good judgment and decision making when traveling on the ice throughout the winter season.

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