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YMCA of the Northwoods Continuing Indoor Winter Farmer's Market Published on 02/09/2024 under News

Despite the recent stretch of weather, it isn't growing season here in Northern Wisconsin. Up in Rhinelander, they're continuing a farmer's market in what many would consider the off-season.

Each Saturday morning, local vendors set up at the YMCA of the Northwoods which continues to expand their indoor farmers market during the winter months. Organizer Marilyn Duschl. says, "The market gives the community the opportunity to purchase locally produced items."

Of course the products being sold at this time of year have changed from the summer months. Root vegetables and preserved items heavily featured. This includes jams, salsas, sauces and pickled foods, and even some baked goods and gluten free options.

Duschl says they have around a half dozen local vendors that participate depending on the week. She encouraged people to stop by and check it out on Saturdays from 9am to noon at the YMCA of the Northwoods in Rhinelander.

In Other News

DNR Continues Venison Donation Program

Published on 11/03/2025 under News Each fall, families in need benefit from the generosity of Wisconsin hunters who contribute venison through a DNR Deer Donation program. With the archery season underway, and the gun deer season quickly approaching, the DNR is encouraging hunters consider donating once again. Since the Wisconsin Deer Donation program began in the year 2000, the DNR says hunters have donated 100,000 deer, totaling over 4 million pounds of venison, to help Wisconsinites in need. DNR Secretary Karen Hyun. "Our Deer Donation Program helps provide nutrition-packed options like venison and we are optimistic hunters will continue their role in combating hunger in Wisconsin through this program." The DNR works with a number of partners including county agencies, food pantries, charitable organizations, and meat processors to run the program. For those hunters don't want to donate venison, but still want to support the program, a monetary donation can be made when purchasing a license to help cover program costs. Additional information including participating processing locations is available on the DNR website.

Published on 11/03/2025 under News A special land transfer took place in the Northwoods on Friday afternoon. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration signed over the Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the original caretakers of the land. According to the announcement, this is the first known return of Catholic-owned land to a Tribal Nation as an act of repair for colonization and residential boarding schools. Sister Sue Ernster, FSPA President says, "The return of Marywood is both a conclusion and a beginning. We honor the decades of FSPA ministry, and we see this transition as a hopeful step toward healing and right relationship." Tribal President John D. Johnson Sr. says, "The Franciscan Sisters' act of generosity and courage stands as an example of what true healing and partnership can look like." According to the announcement, the property, located on Trout Lake, will serve as a site for Ojibwe culture and traditions, re-establishing vital lake shore access, and potentially providing housing for healthcare workers. The property was sold to the tribe for $30,000, the amount of cash the sisters paid for the property in 1966, just over 1% of current market value.

Published on 11/03/2025 under Sports In the WIAA Division 5 Football Playoffs, #1 Seed Tomahawk would advance to the Sectional Championship for the first time since 2007, defeating #5 Seed Spencer/Columbus Catholic Halloween Night at Hatchet Field, 34-12. The Hatchets jumped out to a 21-0 Halftime lead thanks to a stout defense and two time-consuming touchdown drives. After Spencer/Columbus Catholic cut it to nine heading into the fourth, Tomahawk forced two of the Rockets' three turnovers on the night. Jonah Dickens would come up with a key interception that would pave the way for touchdown runs by Tiegan Sarazin and Max Larson. Sarazin would rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Hatchets also got a touchdown run from Rex Reilly and a 19-yard scoring pass from Jett Reilly to Jonah Dickens. The win gives Tomahawk its first double-digit winning season in school history, moving to 10-1 on the season. The Hatchets will play for their first state semifinal berth since 1990 in the Sectional Championship next week against four-time defending state champion Stratford. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 and the opening kick at 7:00 next Friday. Alex Koch and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 10/31/2025 under News A local theater group is returning to the stage this weekend with a murder mystery classic. The Tomahawk Community Theater will be offering up two performances of their latest production, the Agatha Christie whodunit, 'Murder on the Orient Express.' We recently spoke with Ken Lusty who is pulling double duty as actor and director and Tomahawk Community Theater co-founder Terry Bucaro, who's also helping with the crew. Without offering too many spoilers, the adaptation finds detective Hercule Poirot aboard an early 19th century European train investigating the death of one of the travelers when everyone aboard is a suspect. This will be the fourth production for TCT. They've been rehearsing since back in August. The cast and crew will feature many faces and voices that will be familiar to the community including past performers as well as veterans from the Tomahawk High School Drama Department and even the Tomahawk Community Theater Youth program. Lusty says the actors have been doing a really good job of bringing their characters to life. He also highlighted the train set design and 1930's era costumes which he described as phenomenal. They'll be back at the Tomahawk School Auditorium for a Saturday evening show at 6pm and a Sunday matinee at 2. Tickets can be purchased online through 5pm today. Links are available on their website and Facebook page. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. They also encourage people to bring along a non-perishable food item to help stock the local food pantry.

Published on 10/31/2025 under News It's Halloween, and children across the Northwoods will be hitting the streets in the search of tasty treats. Both state and local safety officials are encouraging parents to ensure the day is safe for everyone involved. First and foremost, officials say to "know before you go." In other words, know the dates and times your community trick or treating takes place and stick to them. Some communities like Tomahawk host their community Trick or Treating on Halloween, while others may host theirs tomorrow, the Saturday closest to October 31. As far as safety goes: Make sure kids are supervised appropriate for their age. Officials recommend children under 12 have a responsible adult. Regardless of age, children should trick or treat with a group whether friends, family, or neighbors. And ensure someone knows where you're going and when you plan to return.When it comes to costumes, avoid flammable materials. Masks shouldn't block vision, and skip any long trailing fabrics that can be a tripping hazard.Utilize flashlights or glow sticks and reflective tape to ensure drivers can see you.And of course, for drivers, use extra caution when on the roads today. There is likely to be an increase in foot traffic in your community especially this afternoon and evening.(A reminder the City of Tomahawk and the Tomahawk Chamber will team up for their second annual Trunk or Treat event in Washington Square near the Dream Park from 4pm to 6pm. While trick-or-treating hours are 4pm to 7pm.

Published on 10/31/2025 under News Daylight savings comes to an end this weekend. When setting your clock back, local emergency officials are encouraging people to check home safety. In addition to enjoy an extra hour of rest Sunday morning, it's time once again to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, around 500 people are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in Wisconsin emergency rooms each year. This typically occurs during the winter months with furnaces and home heating. In addition to checking batteries, make sure the units are in-date. Carbon monoxide detectors are typically good for five years, while smoke alarms are recommended for 10 years. Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says, "When clocks change twice a year, it's the perfect time to check and refresh preparedness measures that keep us safe. He added, "This seasonal shift allows us a moment to make sure we are ready for the unexpected, from house fires to power outages." Engle also offered a reminder to check home emergency kits this weekend. Look for expired products or items that may have been borrowed and need to be replaced.

Published on 10/31/2025 under News A local bird rescue facility has some new wheels thanks to a generous contribution. While known for their rehabilitation efforts, the Raptor Education Group Inc. or REGI also offers educational outreach as well. They recently shared that they were able to purchase a new van thanks to generous grants from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and the James Dutton Foundation to purchase a new van. The Community Foundation serves local non-profits while the James E Dutton Foundation donates to organizations that benefit wildlife, the environment, or that provide environmental education to the public. REGI said in the announcement, "Our old van had seen better days, especially during the harsh Wisconsin winters…" They called the new van a game-changer. They said, "It enables us to safely and efficiently reach even more communities across Wisconsin, ensuring that our dedicated staff and beloved education birds can continue to inspire and educate safely, all year round." This year the educational outreach at REGI has already surpassed their goal of reaching 10,000 people. They said, "...with this new van, we're thrilled to continue expanding our programs throughout 2025 and beyond."

Published on 10/31/2025 under News Throughout the month of October, we've been talking about Breast Cancer Awareness. That can be a comprehensive screening that includes both regular mammograms and self-exams at home. Hannah Grawey, APNP, a family medicine nurse practitioner with Aspirus Health. She says, "A lot of women catch their breast cancer before a mammogram does. Especially for women in their 30s who are not yet at the age threshold for regular mammograms, self-breast exam is going to be your best friend." Dr. Cecilia Stroede added that while most women are aware of feeling for a lump or pea sized abnormality, she says other breast cancers manifest as more of a textural difference rather than a defined mass. In addition to monthly self-checks at home, all women aged 40 and older are urged to get a yearly mammogram, which can detect abnormalities early. Stroede added, "There is a definite benefit in finding smaller things at an earlier point."

Published on 10/31/2025 under News With FoodShare benefits being delayed starting this weekend, local agencies are looking to assist those impacted. The lapse in FoodShare payments by the federal government during the shutdown is expected to affect around 700,000 people in Wisconsin. According to the Oneida County Health Department, these benefits assist approximately 3,300 Oneida County residents, more than a third of which are children. It's a similar number here in Lincoln County. Those local partners provided a little bit of guidance. For current people receiving assistance, any benefits still on the Quest Card can still be spent. They said that local food pantries are here to help, though starting in November, some food pantries may require registration verification. They also encourage people to consider helping their neighbors. This can include donating food, money, or time to your local pantry, or consider organizing food drives at your local school, business, community group or church. The Lakeland Pantry has already announced a community-wide food drive for next weekend where they will team up with their area fire departments to serve as drop off locations and recruiting students from Lakeland High School to lend a hand.

Published on 10/30/2025 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation brought back a campaign encouraging seat belt use and an end to distracted driving. That campaign is known as "Buckle Up, Phone Down." According to DoT data, distracted driving factored into more than 9,000 crashes around the state. One of the leading causes of distracted driving is cell phone use. DoT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, We know folks are busy and technology touches many aspects of our lives but behind the wheel is not the place to reply to a text or read an email." Boardman added,"The number of distracted driving crashes and crashes with unbelted drivers in our state is unacceptable. The DoT compares texting for five seconds at 55 miles per hour to driving the length of a football field blindfolded. Cell phone use behind the wheel actually involves three types of distracted driving: -Taking eyes off the road -Taking your hands off the wheel -Taking your mind off driving. The Buckle Up, Phones Down initiative is borrowed from a number of other states, the campaign first launched in Missouri in 2017.

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