Smooth sailing ahead
Hwy. 51 road resurfacing set to complete this week
The months-long U.S. Highway 51 repaving project between Minocqua and Woodruff is on schedule to end this week, bringing a close to weeks of traffic slowdowns as road crews work round the clock to provide a smoother ride for Northwoods motorists.
Woodruff YMCA proposed in partnership with Lakeland Fitness and Golf
Both parties collecting input, gauging local interest
The owners of Lakeland Fitness and Golf are in discussions with YMCA of the Northwoods to establish a local YMCA expansion to their current Woodruff facility, both parties announced last week.
Beef bonanza
60th Beef-A-Rama boasts biggest numbers
The 60th Beef-A-Rama on Sept. 27 drew a record herd to downtown Minocqua, according to early estimates from the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau.
Using art to heal
Minocqua tattoo artist offers pro-bono nipple tattoos to breast cancer survivors
A local cosmetic and paramedical tattoo artist is offering mastectomy patients a way to restore confidence in their bodies and help complete their healing journey this month. Kelsey Hinterleitner, owner of Carabelli’s Beauty Co. in Minocqua, is offering free hyper-realistic nipple and areola tattoos to mastectomy patients every Saturday in October.
A lasting legacy on Wisconsin waters
Gene Allen’s contributions built a musky destination
Fifty years ago, lifelong musky fisherman Gene Allen of Kaukauna made the catch of a lifetime: a 53 and 1/2 inch musky weighing 51 pounds on Flambeau Lake in Lac du Flambeau. It’s only one of an estimated 2,000 muskies Allen caught in his lifetime, but it’s hard to imagine the catch of Sept. 21, 1975 not being his most memorable.
Compassion is key
Caritas grows alongside ‘staggering’ community needs
The Northwoods is known far and wide as a vital tourist destination that draws its fair share of wealthy visitors and seasonal residents, but that hardly paints the full picture of our community. While there is great prosperity in the Northwoods, there is also significant need and financial hardship. Correspondingly, another element that remains largely unseen is the compassionate work being done to help those in need.
Rinse and repeat
Outer lane work to begin on Hwy. 51 project
It ought to be a familiar sight (and site) in the coming weeks along the three-mile stretch of Highway 51 between Minocqua and Woodruff, as road construction crews begin milling the outer lanes of the busy Northwoods corridor.
Holy COW! 60th Beef-A-Rama moo-ves into town Saturday
This year, Minocqua’s Beef-A-Rama presents a roast worth boasting about, as the perennial fall festival celebrates its 60th event on Saturday, Sept. 27.
How I learned to stop worrying and love the zipper merge
Let me pose a situation we’re all too familiar with: You’re driving down a highway and you come across a single lane of traffic that stretches, seemingly, into infinity. The other lane is open, but temporary signs indicate that lane will end soon and merge with the backed up lane.
Slow Lanes, Fast Crews: Minocqua-Woodruff roadwork grinds on
Milling and paving underway on Hwy. 51
Road construction crews from American Asphalt were milling about Minocqua and Woodruff last week — literally. Workers began the process of milling — or grinding up and removing — the top layer of asphalt of the interior lanes of U.S. Highway 51 between Minocqua and Woodruff.
Bright sun, cool nights leads to brilliant fall colors
Early color forecast: peak colors in second week of October
Fall is just around the corner, as signalled by chilly weather at the start of the month, shorter days, the absence of migratory birdsong and the return of pumpkin spice lattes on coffee shop menus. But the most visible marker of the coming season has yet to come out in full force: as the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, the trees that blanket the Northwoods begin the process of preparing for the long winter months ahead.
Together Forever
Couple celebrates 76th wedding anniversary
Plenty of words and phrases change their meaning over three-quarters of a century, but for Dewey and Faye Bartel, “I Do” means the same thing it did back in 1949: “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Preparing for the worst
What’s the plan when a large-scale emergency overwhelms local health care?
Every day there are new national headlines detailing the latest natural disasters, mass shootings, building collapses, bus collisions and other large-scale emergencies. This, naturally, leads responsible adults to think: what if that happened here?
Golden memories
Camp Golden Eagle reunion draws more \than 70 former campers from 1960s to 1980s
Despite what may look like simple fun in the sun, the purpose of many summer camps is to foster personal growth and new meaningful experiences in adolescents. Sometimes those summers are so transformative that the memories and lessons learned live with campgoers for the rest of their life.
Intertribal Manoomin Camp highlights the tradition and ecology of wild rice
Manitowish Waters event draws ‘inter-generational’ interest
Despite reports that wild rice harvest is down this year, interest in the Northwoods crop remains high, as seen by the crowd attending a four-day wild rice camp in Manitowish Waters on Labor Day weekend. The event, held at the North Lakeland Discovery Center, was funded by a federal America the Beautiful Challenge grant issued to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Trout Lake Research Station, which co-hosted the event.
Dr. Zorba Paster to speak at Campanile Center Oct. 6
Free event will offer ‘concrete’ health tips to improve life
Over the past 35 years, anyone who’s spun the radio dial on weekend afternoons has likely, at some point, come across a light-hearted chat show with practical health information and an entertaining host.
‘Do not eat:’ Fish, deer consumption advisory issued for Stella, nearby waters
PFAS contamination sparks health concerns
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is warning Oneida County residents and visitors to limit consumption of fish and deer in the town of Stella and nearby waterbodies due to the contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
‘Cousins Camp’ brings families from 9 states to the Northwoods
Camp Zeck marks 10 years on Tippecanoe Lake
For 20 families in the Zeck family, Tippecanoe Lake in Lac du Flambeau isn’t just a peaceful place to spend an August afternoon — it’s the lifeline that’s tethered a family together for the past decade.
Coloring the community canvas
Joan Christgau tells the story of the Northwoods through murals
Murals are one of the oldest art forms, dating all the way back to ancient times, when early artists painted on cave walls and rock faces, depicting and affirming the stories and values of their culture. Some millenia later, murals still serve the same purpose and one of the Northwoods’ most prominent storytellers is Minocqua artist Joan Christgau.
Minocqua plan commission gives narrow roads wider scrutiny
Private, easement roads required to be 18 feet wide
Minocqua plan commission members last week indicated they will be requiring stricter adherence to road width requirements when approving easements and private roads in the future.
Update: Hwy. 51 repaving scheduled into mid-October
Road work resumes after Labor Day
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and American Asphalt released an updated plan for the final phase of road work on U.S. Highway 51, the details of which were shared at an Aug. 26 informational meeting at the Minocqua Public Library.
Convicted sex offender released homeless in Eagle River
Stardust on supervision for 7 years, remains on sex offender registery for life
A convicted sex offender released in Eagle River last week will remain under supervision of the Department of Corrections (DOC) for seven years, under the terms of a 2008 sentencing.
Hwy. 51 road work resumes after Labor Day
Project scheduled to conclude Sept. 14
As the weather turns a tad cooler and tourism slows after Labor Day, sightings of ice cream cones will be replaced with traffic cones in downtown Minocqua and Woodruff. Final road repair work on U.S. Highway 51 between Minocqua and Woodruff is set to commence immediately after Labor Day, on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Four women reunite at Northwoods resort every summer
A time of great isolation, spring 2020, ended up being the start of a great reunion for four families that had been traveling to the Northwoods for decades. The reunion was between four women, representing four families that had been visiting Dillman’s Bay Resort in Lac du Flambeau, since 1939 at the earliest. Those women are Carolee (Bezazian) Kalter, Madeleine (Sarley) Spatz, Lisa (Shanks) Schoenrock and Eileen (Strenk) Hofstetter.
Are we living up to it?
First it was pennies, then it was millions. Now what’s needed to improve Northwoods health care?
On this day in 1972, the Lakeland community was honored with a gift that continues to bestow the area with its benefits today. Weeks earlier, on June 23, 1972, New York art dealer and multimillionaire investor S. Howard Young died at age 94. Young owned a home on Lake Minocqua and was a dedicated visitor and seasonal resident for 65 years.
Nurturing nature
When and how to seek help for orphaned or injured wildlife
One of the signature joys of living in the Northwoods is seeing a variety of wildlife right outside your window. But with that joy also comes the difficulty of sometimes coming across injured or orphaned wildlife.
Presque Isle board considers formal attorney contact policy
Board may limit who can contact town attorney
The Presque Isle town board may limit which board and committee members can contact the town attorney, following a discussion at the board’s Aug. 7 meeting, where town chair Al Eschenbauch raised the issue.
Hazy prognosis
Scientists still researching the long-term effects of wildfire air quality
“Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” — used to be the saying, but Canadian wildfires may have removed some agency from that sentence, as recent research suggests it may be more accurate to say “smoke ‘em if you go outside.”
Sayner Church renovation effort gains traction
First phase fully funded, restoration work in progress
In just six weeks, efforts to renovate the 109-year-old Sayner Community Church raised nearly $100,000. “The support is unbelievable, the support is fantastic,” said Shane Zaruba, president of the church’s board of directors.
Parks expert to speak on conservation ‘golden age’ at Minocqua library Aug. 9
Learn about Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir’s contributions to national parks, conservation
Take a journey through national parks, American history and environmental history at the Minocqua Public Library tomorrow morning with Jeff Olson, author of “Kindred Spirits: The Story of the Extraordinary Nature conservation of Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir.”
Stephen King references The Lakeland Times, Minocqua in latest novel
Novel includes a fictional headline citing local newspaper
While The Lakeland Times is committed to truth and objectivity in its own pages, it has now made a foray into fiction — by being included in bestselling author Stephen King’s latest novel, “Never Flinch.”
Prominent Land O’ Lakes dentist dies
Dr. Peter Schindelholz dead after head injury
A prominent northern Wisconsin business owner, community member and dentist, Dr. Peter Schindelholz, died this past weekend, according to Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath.
Borderline breathable
Canadian wildfires elevate Wisconsin air quality to ‘very unhealthy’ levels
Rhinelander was ranked the city with the sixth worse air quality in the nation on Thursday morning, according to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, with an air quality index (AQI) score of 175. Six of the ten worst AQI cities were located in Wisconsin that morning.
Aqua Bowl historical marker unveiled at 75th anniversary show
Boyer: ‘The Aqua Bowl will always be the Aqua Bowl’
Downtown Minocqua’s Aqua Bowl — the home of the Min-Aqua Bats and the longest running amateur ski show in the world — was recently recognized by the Wisconsin Historical Society with historic marker status.
The sky’s the limit
Nicolet College’s new flight simulator breaks barriers to aviation careers
One of the newest additions to Nicolet College’s White Pine building is a mock airplane cockpit, complete with accurate controls and instrument panels. While its flights may not be real, the lessons learned abord this simulator are.
Living a dream
Local actor performs Shakespeare in France
All actors have their dream role — but few get the opportunity to perform them by age 21, in the picturesque countryside of southern France.
A pest with a purpose
Even mosquitos are important
Just about any fun summer activity — a lazy afternoon on the water, an adventurous hike, a satisfying day fishing, brews and bites outdoors with friends — are an open invitation for nature’s party crasher: the mosquito.
Garden Fest continues to grow
Annual hospice fundraiser is July 19
Few things in the Lakeland area bring more joy to those who need it most than the Seasons of Life Hospice Garden in Woodruff. “They have eight rooms there and they’re all filled right now. The rooms that face the garden are always taken first, they’re never vacant because people like to look out at the flowers,” said Kathy Kavemeier, president of the Lakeland Gardeners.
Almost 200 sex offenders reside in Oneida, Vilas counties
Wisconsin sex offender rate ranks fifth in nation
Wisconsin has the fifth highest rate of sexual offenders per capita in the nation, according to data compiled by SafeHome.org. While Oneida and Vilas counties fall below the state average of 459 per 100,000, they remain above the national average of 241 per 100,000.
Research suggests heart-related deaths have risen 17 percent since Covid
Heart-related deaths at home grow more common
Heart attacks are the leading cause of death globally — and that rate appears to continue growing in the United States. Research emerging from Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham hospital shows heart-related deaths have risen 17 percent in the years following the covid pandemic.
You’ve heard of Lyme disease, but ... What is Powassan virus?
Tick-borne illness sees record number of WI cases in 2024
Wisconsin residents are familiar with Lyme disease, but many are hearing about Powassan virus for the first time following reports that a Bayfield County man died after contracting the virus last month.
Snowhawks, Pukall Lumber Studs entertain a packed crowd with a fun game
The Lake Tomahawk Snowhawks defeated the Pukall Lumber Studs in a 21-1 contest Monday night at Snowshoe park. Despite the runaway score, the game was filled with big hits and exciting moments.
Hazelhurst exhausts annual state funding to repair only 800-feet of road
State funding remains stagnant as construction costs skyrocket
The town of Hazelhurst can only afford to repair an 800-foot stretch of road this summer as road construction costs continue to skyrocket and state funding for road projects remain stagnant. On June 19, the town board voted to request bids for the mill and paving of approximately 800 feet of Wildwood Drive from West Kaubashine Road. The pavement will be milled with an additional 2 inches of gravel.
‘This is My Life’
Local artist Art Long celebrates 50 years at Arbor Vitae studio — and home
For Arbor Vitae artist Art Long, art isn’t just an occupation, a hobby or his first name — it’s his life. “I always wanted to be an artist and I’m not sure where that came from,” Art said. “I had no idea you have to make a living as an artist, when you’re 12-years-old you don’t understand you have to pay the bills.”
A Compassionate Vision
After 45 years in the Northwoods, Dr. Kirby Redman retires from eye care practice
In the 45 years Dr. Kirby Redman has served the Northwoods as an optometrist, he’s garnered a reputation as a compassionate, responsive care provider with an endless list of loyal patients, plenty of whom have been seeing Dr. Redman for decades.
Saving Sayner history: Congregation works to restore 109-year old church
Rummage sale fundraiser is Saturday
On Sunday mornings in the quiet community of Sayner, church bells can now be heard ringing out from a building that was silent for years. The bells are rung by two third-graders every week at Sayner Community Church — a place of worship that faded into obscurity for years despite its rich 109-year history.
Klinke brings a lifetime of golf experience to Timber Ridge
New golf director is thrust into busy season
Jeff Klinke has been in the golf business all his life — from playing with his dad and grandpa as a kid, to working at courses in his hometown Fond du Lac, St. Germain and Arizona. Now, Klinke brings his decades of knowledge and expertise back up to the Northwoods as he started work as the director of golf operations at Timber Ridge Golf Club this spring.
Hazelhurst approves town’s first food truck
Decision to be re-evaluated after one year
A new dining option will occasionally be coming to Hazelhurst after the town board voted June 9 to allow a locally-owned food truck to operate in town over the next year. The decision, which was passed unanimously by the three-member board, marks the first time a food truck has been approved for use in Hazelhurst under the town’s existing transient merchant ordinance.
Two-day Minocqua Antique Boat Show starts today
One of Wisconsin’s top boat shows is in Torpy Park this weekend
The Minocqua Antique and Classic Boat Show has become a Father’s Day weekend tradition in the area — but it’s not only a great event for dads, there’s also great fun for the whole family. The 34th annual Minocqua Antique and Classic Boat Show returns to Torpy Park in downtown Minocqua on June 13 and 14.
Spelling error postpones Hazelhurst wake boat discussion
Cushing: ‘I’m not going to violate the open meetings law’
Nearly 40 people were in attendance at the June 10 Hazelhurst town board meeting, but about half of them left at the start of the meeting when town chairman Ted Cushing announced there would be no discussion or action on the “wake board” agenda item.
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