New year, new traditions
With every new year comes the chance for one to reinvent oneself. Whether mentally or physically, the possibilities for renewal are endless. It can mean anything from correcting past mistakes to trying something new. One only has to ponder their circumstances and determine the best way to proceed.
Holidays and family
In a time as special as this holiday season, the importance of family is greatly amplified. No matter which holiday you celebrate, the general spirit of togetherness is common throughout. Whether your loved ones are close by or in another part of the country, now is the time to give them a visit.

LUHS choir students sing with state honors band
Ada Ernst and Isaac Olson sing wide range of songs
For many high school students, being able to go to state in their chosen extracurricular or sport is considered an honor. With no exception, two choir students from LUHS took their singing talents to the state honors band.
New year, new beginnings
With every passing year, there will always be ups and downs. For many people, the downs are more likely to be recognized. Despite this, there will always be room to improve upon or move on from them going into the next year.
Another Northwoods winter holiday season
The holidays have come to the Northwoods once again. With it, there will be many times when the streets will be covered with snow and ice. Every Wisconsinite knows that all too well.
Gratitude in the face of adversity
From the day they left England to the landing of the Mayflower in 1620, the Pilgrims had only the very limited resources given to them and the clothes on their backs.

Minocqua dance team spreads spirit of ‘Aloha’ in Hawaii
On March 17, the Minocqua Dance team performed the ballet "Finding Oz," a story with an anti-bullying message, at the 490-seat Kahilu Theater in Hawaii. "Finding Oz" has previously been performed at LUHS in the spring of 2022, and now, Minocqua Dance took the show to Hawaii as part of a trip hosted by studio owner Dana Bostrom.
Philanthropic Education Organization to hold ‘Palette to Palate’ fundraiser
The EO chapter of the Philanthropic Education Organization will be holding a fundraiser called "Palette to Palate" at the Minocqua Country Club on Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event's main goal is to raise money for financial aid for the women of Cottey College in Nevada, Mo.

Polish exchange student participates in CIEE
Local organization looking for new members
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) recently collected donations for the Northwoods Animal Alliance, a shelter for puppies rescued within the Northwoods. This event took place on Feb. 11 at the Trig's in Minocqua and on Feb. 12 at the Trig's in Eagle River.

Lake Tomahawk Lions donate used glasses to third world countries
Not every country has access to proper medical care, but there are those who are more than willing to provide it. For the Lake Tomahawk Lions, they are more than willing to throw their hats into the ring to donate glasses to third world countries as part of their Eyeglass Recycling Project.
Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music announces 2023 European tour
LUHS band joins tour
The Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music (WAM) has recently announced they will be preparing for their annual European tour for 2023. This will be their first tour after a temporary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CIEE exchange student to hold a ‘Love Across Cultures’ fundraising event
NOTE: This is the first part of a two-part series in association with the Wisconsin chapter of the Council on International Educational Exchange.

AV-W custodian creates carpet art and classroom smiles
They say that cleanliness is next to godliness, but what if there was an art form specifically for that sentiment? Custodian Will Foss at Arbor Vitae Woodruff Elementary School has made a hobby out of making artwork in one of the classrooms every morning, using only a vacuum cleaner and a large carpet.

Movie Review: ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’
A delightful sequel of a murder mystery
Written and directed by Rian Johnson, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” was produced by Netflix and T-Street. It was released on Netflix on December 23, 2022, after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10 and a limited week-long theatrical release on Nov. 23.
Winter wonderland in the Northwoods
Even with terrible circumstances around the world, the winter holidays are a great time to restore peoples' hope and happiness. Regardless of whether these holidays are celebrated from a religious or secular perspective, this is a great time to be with your loved ones.

LUHS class presents checks to local breast cancer survivor
Donations from community and school total $450
On Monday, Nov. 14, Adam Bremer’s leadership class at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) hosted a check presentation ceremony for breast cancer survivor Karen Johnson-Beyersdorf.

Boulder Junction Chamber announces retirement of Mr. and Mrs. Claus
Their final appearance tonight during the town’s Christmas Walk
The Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce has announced that Harold Eick and Barbara Ann Just will retire from their respective roles as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for this year's annual Christmas Walk.

Two LUHS choir students perform with state honors band
LUHS students Ada Ernst and Brecken Karegeannes put their singing skills to the test when they performed with the state honor band and choir at the Overture Center in Madison on Thursday, Oct. 27. Led by LUHS band director Bill Richter, the lineup of songs for the program ranged from bombastic fanfares to slower-paced pieces.

6th Annual Turkey Trot 5K returns
The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K returns to the Lakeland area for its sixth year, with Faith Evangelical Free Church reprising its role as the event’s host and Faith Evangelical’s pastor Rick Goff managing the event.

Minocqua resident displays pumpkin family
Around Halloween, a woman like Lori Butkus doesn’t simply put together a pumpkin patch; she puts together a pumpkin “family.” Specifically, she arranges a special pumpkin patch with unique carvings and designs. She has been doing this for many years, but this time around, decided to make it more visible to the public.

LUHS WINGS: Rising from the ashes
LUHS’ special education program grows after August fire
Led by special education instructor Jeannine Pfeifer, the WINGS program (Working Independently and Gaining Self-Determination) is a special education program designed for Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) students aged 18-21 to receive job training at any number of local businesses in the Northwoods.

Book Review: 'At the Lake' by Jim Landwehr
An inviting collection of lake adventures
NOTE: This review is of an advance copy of “At the Lake.” The book is set to officially release in November of 2022. “At the Lake” is a memoir by nonfiction writer/poet Jim Landwehr. It is published by Cornerstone Press, an independent publishing house from UW-Stevens Point, and distributed by Ingram Lightning Source. This memoir recounts Landwehr’s numerous fishing trips to various lakes throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, and in one case, Ontario. These accounts show how each fishing trip affected him as a person and his peers, focusing on themes of renewal, reflection, relaxation, and slowing down in a fast-paced world.

Meet Your Library: Plum Lake Library
The sixth in a resurrected series
At Plum Lake Library, its director Emilie Braunel has been making changes to the library, both inward and outward. Since this library is an essential part of the Plum Lake community, they have strived to make sure that they can provide to their fellow citizens in different areas.

Children’s author discusses new minicomic at Winchester Public Library
Wasuau-based Hmong American children’s author Duachaka Her decided to share her story in more ways than one when she promoted her newest minicomic titled “Tradition” at the Winchester Public Library on Tuesday, July 26. “Tradition” is an autobiographical comic that shares Duachaka’s experiences involving the preservation of Hmong customs practiced by her family. In particular, the comic focuses on how traditions can change and the importance of adapting with those changes.

Freedom from sea to shining sea
Independence Day returns to the Northwoods
In spite of everything that has transpired in this country, especially in recent times, we as Americans have always found the resolve to maintain our sense of freedom. Many people use Independence Day as a perfectly innocent excuse to host barbecues and go on fun vacations, but even so, it's important to remember what led us to this moment.
Hazelhurst town board OKs road bid, tourist rooming house permit applications
The Hazelhurst town board Tuesday approved two administrative review permits for tourist rooming houses. The applications for the permits were submitted by Margaret McSheehy and Robert Loether.