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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

Aspirus: Knowing the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Published on 06/30/2026 under News With the Northwoods in the middle of one of its hottest stretches of the summer, Aspirus Health is reminding residents that extreme heat can be more dangerous than many people realize. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Dylan Wyatt says extreme heat claims more lives each year than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes because high temperatures put tremendous stress on the heart and the body's ability to cool itself. Dr. Wyatt says it's important to recognize the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps. Moving to a cool place and drinking water or electrolyte drinks can help. Heat stroke, however, is considered a medical emergency. 911 should be dialed immediately, while attempting to cool the victim. Warning signs include confusion, slurred speech, fainting, and a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher. To prevent heat-related illness, Aspirus recommends staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water (even before you begin to feel thirsty) and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest portions of the day. Finally, take a moment to check in on friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who are older or more vulnerable to the heat.

Published on 06/30/2026 under News A Gleason man was hospitalized after his motorcycle struck a deer in Lincoln County over the weekend. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders were called to Highway 17 near County Road X in the Town of Russell on Saturday. The caller reported that the motorcyclist was breathing but had sustained a head injury. Deputies determined that the motorcycle was traveling northbound on Highway 17 when a deer ran into the roadway. The 24 year old driver was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The Sheriff's Office noted he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No update on his condition was provided. Sheriff's deputies remind drivers that deer remain highly active in the Northwoods, and fawns are on the move. This crash was one of 13 vehicle-versus-deer collisions reported in Lincoln County over the past week.

Published on 06/30/2026 under News A 67-year-old Prentice man has died following a search on Worcester Lake in Price County over the weekend. According to the Price County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a report of a missing man, believed to be on Worcester Lake in the Town of Hackett, at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Multiple agencies responded to the scene and conducted a thorough search of the lake. The man's body was eventually located and recovered; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are currently withholding the victim's name pending the notification of family members. No further details have been released, and the incident remains under investigation. The Price County Sheriff's Office was assisted in the search and recovery efforts by the Prentice Fire Department, Prentice EMS, Pike Lake Fire Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, the Price County Coroner's Office, and local residents.

Published on 06/30/2026 under News Visitors to Park City Credit Union's Tomahawk branch may notice a new tribute honoring a longtime community leader. The credit union recently dedicated its newly renovated office area as the Dr. Bobbi Voermans Business Center. While widely known for her work at Hometown Chiropractic, Dr. Bobbi also served on Park City Credit Union's Board of Directors from 2014 until her passing in 2021. In a social media post, credit union officials shared that Voermans played an important role in guiding Park City's growth while remaining deeply committed to serving both members and the local community. The newly renovated area will provide the additional office space needed to support the organization's ongoing growth while keeping her legacy alive. A plaque outside the business center recognizes Voermans' passion for improving the lives of others. It also highlights a message she frequently shared: to begin and end each day with positivity, gratitude, and the encouraging reminder to "Have your best day."

Published on 06/30/2026 under News With temperatures climbing over the next few days, state officials are reminding residents about crucial laws designed to protect utility customers. We regularly discuss the winter disconnection moratorium which prevents utilities from disconnecting service during the winter heating months. But the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin also notes that similar rules go into effect while a heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency is issued by the National Weather Service. Much of the state is under advisories, and temperatures are expected to remain elevated here in the Northwoods into the weekend. In addition to halting scheduled shutoffs, the PSC states that utilities must make a reasonable attempt to restore service if a combination of extreme heat and a lack of power poses a potential threat to human health. Utilities are explicitly encouraged to err on the side of human health and safety when making these reconnection decisions. However, the protections are temporary. According to the PSC announcement, once the heat advisory, warning, or emergency expires, service may be disconnected again if the customer has not established a payment arrangement.

Published on 06/30/2026 under News There is good news for pheasant and ruffed grouse populations in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released data from its annual spring surveys of the two popular game birds. For the third consecutive year, pheasant observations tracking above the five-year average. Because the Northwoods is not a typical territory for these birds, pheasant surveys are not conducted here; instead, the strongest populations were observed in western Wisconsin. Meanwhile, ruffed grouse survey results showed a slight decrease from 2025, an expected dip due to the birds' historic 10-year population cycle. According to DNR ruffed grouse specialist Alaina Roth, the population trough typically occurs in years ending in 4, 5, and 6. Roth noted that numbers from the previous two years remained strong largely due to "exceptional nesting and brooding conditions in prior years." The grouse population is tracked via a roadside drumming survey. Multiple survey routes were completed in each county within the Northern priority area, and this region ultimately recorded the state's strongest numbers. The full reports are available on the Wisconsin DNR wildlife survey website.

Published on 06/29/2026 under News For many people, the sounds of a Fourth of July parade are part of the celebration. But this year in Rhinelander, organizers are also setting aside a quieter stretch of the route so even more people can enjoy the holiday tradition. The Rhinelander Fourth of July Committee has announced it will designate a sensory-friendly area along this year's parade route, extending from City Hall to Rives Street. Parade participants are being asked to avoid using sirens, loud horns and confetti cannons while traveling through that section of the route. Music from parade units and marching bands, however, will still be welcome. The committee says the sensory-friendly area is intended to better accommodate individuals with sensory concerns, helping make the community celebration more accessible and inclusive. Organizers are asking all parade participants to honor and respect the request as the parade makes its way through the designated quiet zone.

Published on 06/29/2026 under News With the Northwoods' first real stretch of summer heat settling in this week, many residents will be looking for ways to stay cool without sending their electric bills soaring. Wisconsin Public Service is offering several simple, low-cost tips to help keep homes comfortable while reducing energy use. One of the easiest ways to beat the heat is to keep the sun out by closing blinds or curtains during the day. WPS also recommends keeping windows closed while outdoor temperatures are highest, then opening them overnight to let cooler air inside. Ceiling and portable fans can helps circulate cool air. WPS reminds homeowners to make sure ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise during the summer, creating a cooling downdraft. Another tip is to avoid creating extra heat indoors during the daytime hours. Instead of using the oven or stove, consider grilling outside, and swap the dryer for a clothes line. For those looking to save money over the long term, WPS recommends choosing energy-efficient appliances when it's time to replace older models and installing a programmable smart thermostat to help manage cooling costs more efficiently.

Published on 06/29/2026 under News A Fourth of July cookout in Wisconsin is expected to cost a little more this summer, according to the annual Wisconsin Farm Bureau Market Basket Survey released this past week. To determine the average cost, the survey tracks the prices of a dozen cookout essentials—including burgers, hot dogs, buns, and sides—at a sample of grocery stores across 20 communities statewide. This year, the survey found that the average cost to host a typical summer cookout for ten people is around $75.50, a 7.5% increase from last year. This total is roughly two dollars higher than the national average and marks the highest cost since the survey was established in 2013. Farm Bureau spokesperson Cassie Sonnentag says, "From availability to inflation, we are seeing increases across many of the food items on the shopping list." This includes supply chain issues and rising fuel costs. The largest jump was in ground beef, up 23% from last year. The spike is driven largely by the cost of ground beef, which is up more than 23% from last year due to supply chain price increases, particularly rising fuel costs. However, there are still ways to save. Sonnentag noted that identifying local brands, taking advantage of sale prices, buying in bulk, and shopping in season can significantly reduce overall spending. Other cookout tips include creating a menu beforehand, sticking to your grocery list, and spreading the cost by inviting guests to bring a dish to pass. In addition to its summer cookout report, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau also conducts an annual Thanksgiving dinner survey.

Published on 06/29/2026 under News Two people were found dead in a Lac du Flambeau home on Saturday evening. Responders were called to the residence at around 9:00 p.m., where they discovered a man lying on the garage floor and a woman inside the home. The male subject, identified as Gilbert "Barney" Chapman, was already deceased. Life-saving efforts were attempted on the woman, identified as Natalie Poupart, but were ultimately unsuccessful. In a statement, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police said, "While the causes of death are unknown at this point, there is no indication that either victim sustained any sort of physical injury, nor is there any indication that there is any threat to the community." Autopsies will be performed, and the investigation is ongoing.

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