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This Weeks Articles for 7/10/2025 ...

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Strawberries are just the beginning at White Pine Berry Farm

Farm is also known for its blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins, sunflowers, zinnias, corn maze, vegetables, wedding barn, seasonal events

RIVER FALLS – After flourishing as a dairy farm for four decades, Andrew Zwald said in 2012, his parents – Greg and Irma – decided it was time for a pivot, trading dairy for berries with the launch of White Pine Berry Farm.

“My dad was looking at something else to do on the farm, and he always loved working with people – talking directly with consumers,” he said.

Starting out with strawberries, pumpkins and a corn maze, Zwald said the next 13 years brought significant growth – both in crop size and products offered.

“Strawberries take two years to mature, so we didn’t have plants ready for picking until 2013,” he said. “Then, Dad started planting blueberries and raspberries, a small orchard and a lot of different kinds of vegetables.”...

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Shemekia Copeland to Headline 2025 Blues on the Chippewa

Festival leverages the power of music to promote positive change, features contemporary blues artists.

Blues on the Chippewa will return to the shores of the Chippewa River this year, with an expanded lineup of national and local musicians alike — all incorporating contemporary influences.

Shemekia Copeland is set to headline the free-to-attend festival at 8:30pm on Thursday, July 31. Copeland will be the first headliner to perform, followed by Hot Like Mars on Friday, Aug. 1, and Rico McFarland on Saturday, Aug. 2...

Blues on the Chippewa will be held from July 31-Aug. 2 in Durand, Wisconsin. Visit the Blues on the Chippewa festival website online to learn more about the event lineup and new announcements.

Event Website:

https://www.bluesonthechippewa.com/

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Ken Notes: Please See our events calendars below or HERE for complete list of the events in your community.

Fundraising campaign for new La Crosse apartments gets $1 million head start

A new La Crosse housing development which will offer apartments to both people with disabilities and able-bodied tenants has started a public fund-raising campaign. The Haven on Main is seeking $500,000 in donations from the community to help build 70 housing units.

Lansing, Iowa native Michael Rea and his wife Brandy attended a fund-raising meeting in La Crosse on Monday, and announced they have already donated a million dollars to the Main Street housing project. The Reas live in the Kansas City area, and they head a foundation that helps families with special needs, mostly in that metro region. They have a teenage son with special needs, and Brandy Rea says her interest in the Haven arises from concerns about how to help him live more independently...

Stop and smell the lavender at Lavender Bluff Farm

Stockholm farm offers a variety of lavender-, hemp- and honey-infused products

STOCKHOLM – It all started with a bike ride through Stockholm.

Kim Kirmeir said that is truly how the idea behind Lavender Bluff Farm blossomed.

“We went for a bike ride, saw the place and wanted it, but I didn’t know how to maintain it – it’s a lot of land,” she said. “So, we were looking for ideas for what to do.”

Running a home care company at the time, Kirmeir said she often used essential oils when working with seniors with dementia for prompting – including lavender oil.

Describing herself as quite ignorant at the time, she said, “I told myself, I am going to grow my own lavender.”

“I found that it’s way easier to buy lavender essential oil than it is to make it, because it takes a ton of work,” she laughed...

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Turtles on the move in La Crosse despite overall decline in the past 50 years

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – Turtles are on the move! You have probably seen them when out and about in the La Crosse region.

It is nesting season for Turtles across Wisconsin. The state`s 11 species of turtles breed in late May through the month of June.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said this year looks like a sustained event.

Usually, there is a push for about a week, and then you are likely to not see many turtles after that. This year, however, turtles have been on the move for about three weeks straight—and it`s not because we had a mild winter, the DNR said.

The slight increase proves to be a positive.

The DNR`s Andrew Badje said the La Crosse region has actually seen a decline in the amount of turtles over the last 50 years...

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Regional Economic Development Entities

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commision	SouthWest NorthWest State	Coulee Regional Business Center	THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE
	Vernon Co. Economic Development	La Crosse Area Development Corporation	SBDC La Crosse
Economic Development	Community Development	Economic Development	Economic Development

Trempealeau County Economic Development	The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)	Vernon Economic Development Association	Workforce Connections, Inc.
The Pierce County EDC	Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council	Job and Business Development (JBD) Program
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority	USDA Rural Development Wisconsin	Xcel Energy Economic Development	Economic Development

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Vernon Trails awarded $48K grant to expand trail signage across Vernon County

VIROQUA, Wis. (WXOW) – Vernon Trails is getting a major upgrade thanks to a $48,390 grant from a T-Mobile initiative aimed at funding small-town community projects.

According to a news release, the Viroqua-based nonprofit plans to install seven trailhead kiosks and 80 wayfinding signs across three of the county’s most-used trail networks and an 18-hole disc golf course.

Organizers say the project will improve safety, accessibility, and navigation while reinforcing the region’s identity as an outdoor recreation destination.

"We`re thrilled T-Mobile recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation access in rural communities,” Vernon Trails Executive Director Alycann Taylor said in the release. “The new kiosks and wayfinding signs will enhance safety, welcome newcomers, and showcase the natural beauty of Vernon County`s Driftless Area."...

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ORA seeks sustainable support through "Powered by People"

LA CROSSE, Wis. — The Outdoor Recreation Alliance is launching a new initiative to boost support for trail maintenance and development in the Driftless Area.

The group is encouraging sustainable monthly contributions to its "Powered by People" campaign to assist with projects like the new Community Trail Farm in South La Crosse.

"We`re asking a lot of our community to show up in different ways, and we don`t always love to ask for money, but we do love to ask for people to be involved and show up and support the things that they love," Willow Pecha, Development Director of ORA Trails, said.

The Powered by People initiative is running alongside the ongoing Trail Farm Capital Campaign. The efforts aim to ensure that outdoor activities remain enjoyable and accessible for all...

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New apartment buildings proposed at Bridgeview Plaza on La Crosse`s north side

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Developers are looking to build two five-story apartment buildings on La Crosse`s north side.

Plans are set to be reviewed by the City of La Crosse`s Commercial/Multi-Family Design Review Committee on Friday for new buildings that would add roughly 200 housing units at the site of La Crosse`s Bridgeview Plaza.

Plans show the two structures occupying the space between the existing Blue Zone Pickleball and Harbor Freight buildings.

Each would feature a mix of studio, one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments across five floors, per the concept designs. Each would also include more than 90 underground parking stalls.

In addition, developers would also revamp the existing structures at Bridgeview, featuring a courtyard with multi-use paths between the new apartments.

No price tag is currently attached to the plans, which were submitted by Knothe-Bruce Architects, a Middleton, Wisconsin-based firm. The design review committee meets Friday at 9:00 a.m...

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Raising Cane’s sets opening date for La Crosse store… and they are officially hiring!

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – As soon as it was announced that La Crosse was getting a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers franchise, the Coulee region was all aflutter.

“Have you ever had it?” “Where is it going?” “When is it opening?” “They only serve chicken fingers?” “Are they hiring?”

In order, yes, 3740 State Road 16, August 19th, yes… well… and sides, and yes!

For those of you who prefer more linear journalism, Raising Cane’s is… “one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands, with over 900 restaurants in over 40 states. They are known for their ONE LOVE® – craveable Chicken Finger meals – that include the iconic ‘Cane’s Sauce’… named the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry and most craveable chicken.”...

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UW-River Falls associate professor receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award

Chris Holtkamp, associate professor of community and environmental planning at UW-River Falls, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award. Beginning in January, he’ll spend five months in Reykjavik, Iceland developing a graduate course at Agricultural University.

RIVER FALLS – Chris Holtkamp, an associate professor of community and environmental planning at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to bring his expertise in sustainable development and regional planning to the Agricultural University of Iceland.

Holtkamp will travel to Reykjavik, Iceland next January and spend five months working with the planning and design program at the Agricultural University, developing a graduate course focused on sustainable regional development to ensure activities align with the values and priorities of rural communities...

For more information about the community and environmental planning degree program at UWRF, visit uwrf.edu/programs/community-and-environmental-planning. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org.

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Ken Notes: Congrats Chris! But Iceland in January? I would have thought a sustainable regional plan for Hawaii...

Are we at an inflection point in community economic development? The 4th Wave.

Communities are rethinking how they approach economic growth and development. Instead of focusing solely on jobs and businesses, many are asking, “What makes this a great place to live? Why would people want to live here?”

During this webinar, we will explore a growing trend in community economic development where investing in people, places, and quality of life is just as important as traditional business and job-focused strategies. Drawing from 50 years of national data, Steven Deller, Ph.D., will explore evidence that jobs increasingly follow people, and what that means for the future of community economic development practitioners and, more importantly, our communities.

Presenter: Steve Deller, Ph.D.

Event information
Date Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Time 1 - 2 p.m. Central time
Location Webinar
Cost Free

Contact

Brandon Hofstedt, University of Minnesota Extension program leader, community economics hofstedt@umn.edu or 612-624-2281

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Driftless Music Fest set for eclectic Saturday

This Saturday July 12th

VIROQUA, Wis. (WXOW) — The Driftless Music Festival is set to return to Eckhart Park in Viroqua, offering free family fun this weekend. The festival promises a blend of music and community spirit.

"It`s super family-friendly and there`s just music all day long," Christina Dollhausen said. "There`s something about being under those oak trees in Eckhart Park in Viroqua and along with the community and visitors that come. It`s just there`s smiles everywhere from the way back of the park all the way to the road."

Dollhausen highlighted the diverse lineup of performances that attendees can expect.

"That`s the beauty of the Driftless Music Festival," Dollhausen said. "We bring in five different eclectic bands, all different genres. So you may hear something that you`ve never really heard before."...

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The Great River Road

MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video

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7 Rivers News

PDFmyURL converts web pages and even full websites to PDF easily and quickly. Today, many of those villages and towns have empty storefronts, aging housing, and declining school enrollment. There may be a lack of local leadership or a plan to revitalize the community.

That’s why the 7 Rivers Alliance is once again accepting applications for strategic planning services and plans to continue offering the assistance. We invite communities and organizations within our region to apply to develop a strategic plan to focus on a specific project involving community-wide economic growth or organizational goals with the support of experienced professionals and engaged citizens.... ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: Lot of data in their newsletter...

This Small Village Is The Cheese Curd Capital Of Wisconsin

In the rolling fields of Western Wisconsin, there`s a town where cheese curds are a way life. Ellsworth, with a population of just over 3,000, proudly claims the title of Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. The designation was made official in 1983 by former Governor Anthony Earl. This vibrant village in Pierce County draws visitors from across the country, thanks to a cooperative creamery that transformed a humble dairy product into a regional icon.

The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery began in 1910, when local dairy farmers banded together to process their milk with purpose and precision. More than a century later, 200 farms supply the creamery with milk, which is converted into over 160,000 pounds of curds daily. Considering the surprising amount of milk it takes to make cheese (10 pounds of milk per pound of cheese), that`s an impressive yield of rich, comforting goodness. The golden bites — mild, squeaky, and lightly salted — are best savored when their signature bounce is at its peak. The distinctive squeak comes from elastic proteins that briefly resist the bite, a sign of impeccable freshness.

Each curd is a marvel of Midwestern agriculture. The milk travels only a short distance from farm to vat, where it`s swiftly shaped into its final form. From production to packaging, the process moves quickly to ensure every curd retains its signature quality. Devoted fans often eat them straight from the bag — slightly chilled, subtly salty, and full of charm...

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Ken Notes: Worth the trip! The cheese store is also fantastic! MMMMMMMMMMM...

Hidden Hills: Petting farm, paintball, non-GMO meat, more

Stoddard family of seven’s ‘hidden gem’ has family friendly entertainment, haunted house

June 23, 2025 -- STODDARD – Farm animals, paintball players, commerce, a battle course, a haunted house and a murder mystery game – Deb Bolstad said her family of seven takes care of all of the above and more at Hidden Hills on their property in Stoddard.

Yet the hardest part, Bolstad said, isn’t necessarily managing the attractions – it just might be the marketing.

“People ask, ‘Who is (Hidden Hills) for?’” she said. “I tell them, ‘We’ve got something for everyone.’”

Open annually May through October, Bolstad said Hidden Hills offers the following:

A petting farm, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, or by reservation during the week for field trips and private parties
Paintball, by reservation
Poultry, eggs, pork, beef and lamb raised on non-GMO feeds and pastured in non-GMO fields, available either in Hidden Hills’ shop or by order
Baked goods and handmade crafts, also available at the shop
A haunted house, operating in October
A fully original murder mystery, available by appointment ...

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New exhibit showcases historical La Crosse landmarks

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - The La Crosse County Historical Society will soon be giving community members a trip down memory lane with a new exhibit.

“Reflections of La Crosse” will show 27 paintings created by local document painter Marion Biehn.

A majority of the pictures show historical buildings that are not around anymore. Others are paintings of local iconic landscapes.

Historical society officials say the exhibit is a tribute to the nostalgia of La Crosse.

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Cheese Curds for a Cause raises $3,715 to support UW-River Falls students

IVER FALLS — A local partnership turned comfort food into campus impact this spring, raising $3,715 for student support at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls through the “Cheese Curds for a Cause” campaign.

The effort—led by Junior’s Restaurant and Taphouse during UWRF’s Giving Days—pledged $5 for every basket of cheese curds sold from mid-March through April. Proceeds from the campaign go directly to the UWRF Impact Fund (formerly known as the Falcon Annual Fund), which provides flexible, unrestricted dollars to meet urgent student needs, enhance academic programming and support underfunded areas across campus.

“This kind of giving goes beyond covering costs—it creates possibility,” said Mandy Jeppesen, annual giving manager. “Unrestricted gifts allow us to act quickly, seize new opportunities and support students in ways we often couldn’t through designated funds alone.”...

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Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Due Soon

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is the State of Wisconsin’s program for what is now the federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) set-aside Program. With certain exceptions, projects that met eligibility criteria for the Safe Routes to School Program, Transportation Enhancements, and/or the Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Program are eligible TAP projects...

2026-2030 Solicitation Timeline

Please note, the project review and awarding timeline are an anticipated schedule and is subject to change.

Project solicitation opens: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Application deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025 by 5:00 pm

MPO Project Ranking/Prioritization Deadline: Refer to your respective WisDOT region and MPO contacts

Local Resolution of Support due to WisDOT Local Program Manager: by December 29, 2025

Statewide Committee Review and Selection: January – April 2026

TMA Review Committees: Projects located in a TMA are ranked and scored by TMAs committees which have their own timeline

Awards Approved and Announced: May – June 2026

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Ken Notes: Many more details at the link. ALL applications are now submitted online.

This Wisconsin bakery has been voted America`s best pie shop

Wisconsin takes the cake in a national pie competition — with the winner of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.

Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest across a wide range of categories. Editors vet nominations, select final nominees and ask the public to decide in a four-week voting period. For the second consecutive year, Stockholm Pie and General Store has been voted America`s Best Pie Shop. Another Wisconsin favorite, Norske Nook, took fourth place this year...

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Timeline for Vernon County Landfill expansion approval clarified following meeting with legislators, DNR

VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Following a series of meetings between Vernon County officials, state legislators and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, it appears Vernon County may have a little wiggle room on the timeline for state approval to expand their facility, but they could also run out of space before they get that approval.

Vernon County’s Landfill is running out of space and the county started the process of getting DNR approval about five years ago, that seemed like plenty of time to get state approval for about a five acre expansion to the existing 10 acre facility. At last months Vernon County Infrastructure Committee meeting, Solid Waste Administrator Stacie Sanborn said their recent assessment of space at the facility estimated they have about one year worth of “air space” left before they are full based on current volumes...

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Tourism Resources and Events in Our Region

Monroe County Events Calendar	Crawford County (Driftless Wisconsin) Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Vernon County Events Calendar Visitor Guide
La Crosse County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Trempealeau County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Buffalo County Events Calendar
Pepin County Events Calendar Visitor Guide	Pierce County Events Calendar	Jackson County Events Calendar Visitor Guide

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Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC)

Working together to make the Mississippi River Region a great place to live and work.

The Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission provides planning and economic development services to improve the region`s environment, economy and quality of life. We serve a nine county region, providing studies and planning services, resources and data to help with your grant applications or reporting needs, and business loans.