Menomonie News Net

June 18, 2025, Issue 31

Author

Local News Group
June 18, 2025

Issue 31 of Menomonie News Net. To visit past issues you can click HERE.

Featured today are highlights of Saturday June 14; news about a new home for Kaleidoscope; and more about July 4th at Wakanda.

Editors: Layne Pitt & Becky Kneer; MNN Staff & Contributors; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz

In this Issue…

June 14 in Downtown Menomonie

Flag Day Ceremony, NO KINGS March, Mabel Tainter Celebration

By MNN Staff

Saturday, June 14 saw several events in downtown Menomonie.

The Annual Flag Day Ceremony was held at Veteran’s Memorial Park at 10 a.m.

Members of the Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard raise the flag at the 25th Annual Flag Day Ceremony. Photo: Submitted

The event included the advancement of the colors by the Honor Guard; pledge of allegiance and the National Anthem led by Jim Anderson; an explanation of the meaning of Flag Day by Melissa Kneeland, Dunn County Historical Society; flag ceremony by the Honor Guard with a reading by Jim Anderson; a musical salute to the Armed Forces; and dedication of the 2025 bricks. Seven bricks honoring David L. Bachman, Robert A. DeLong, Roy M. Larson, Larry Allen Putman, James W. Wildner, John C. Wildner and Judy M. Wildner were added to the nearly 700 memorial and business sponsored bricks found at the memorial. The ceremony concluded with the reading of all names on dedicated bricks; retirement of the colors and playing of taps; and ceremonial pealing of the bells in UW-Stout’s Bowman Hall bell tower. Music was provided by members of the Ludington Guard Band. The Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated in 2000, and is governed by a committee under the direction of Downtown Menomonie, Inc. with support from an endowment fund managed by the Community Foundation of Dunn County.

Source: MNN Contributor

Emcee Dana Brunstrom with Honor Guard and Ludington Band members. MNN Staff Photo

A Golden Retriever pup checked out the memorial bricks. MNN Staff Photo

The NO KINGS Rally began in Wilson Park at Noon and ended at 2 p.m. along the lakeside on Crescent Ave. An estimated 450 - 500 participated in Menomonie. Rallies were held in approximately 2,000 locations.

Rally in Wilson Park Staff Photo

Rally lining Crescent Avenue MNN Staff Photo

The Mabel Tainter Annual Celebration held Saturday from 4 - 10 p.m. ended the day with events on the blocked off street next to the theater. The rain ceased making way for a pleasant evening of music, food and fun.

Tribute band ABBASolutely Fab from the Twin Cities performed 8-10 p.m. with crowd-pleaser ABBA songs. MNN Staff Photo

July 4th at Wakanda

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We’re looking for volunteers to help. Shifts are available in 2-hour, 4-hour, 8-hour, or all-day options. To sign up to volunteer…visit the event Facebook page. Or email Jack Schaefer at [email protected]; phone 715-505-5483

Event coordinated by West Central WI Workforce Development.

Kaleidoscope Center Has a New Home

LiUNA Local 268 assists with move to Wilson Ave

Members of LiUNA Local 268 left to right: Dominic Garr, Joshua Garr, Dirk Bathke, Scott Geissler, Joey Geissler, Allen Bradford. Photo by Andrew Garr.

By Andrew Garr

In a powerful display of solidarity and community spirit, members of LiUNA Local 268 volunteered their time, energy, and muscle to help relocate the Kaleidoscope Peer Recovery Center to its new home at 809 Wilson Avenue in Menomonie. This generous act of service marks more than just a physical move—it’s a celebration of what can happen when community members come together to support spaces of healing, connection, and hope.

The Kaleidoscope Center, operated by Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance, Inc., is a peer-run drop-in center offering support to individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Kaleidoscope is a vital community hub where people can come as they are, find peer support, participate in activities, and build meaningful connections without judgment or barriers.

When the time came to move into a new and expanded location, the task felt daunting—until LiUNA Local 268 stepped in with open hearts and strong hands. Volunteers from the union showed up ready to help, moving furniture, supplies, and setting up the new space with care and enthusiasm. Their support turned a potentially overwhelming challenge into a moment of celebration.

“This move would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of LiUNA Local 268,” said a Kaleidoscope team member. “They didn’t just show up—they poured their hearts into making sure our center felt ready and welcoming. We’re so grateful to be part of a community where this kind of kindness and solidarity is possible.”

LiUNA Local 268 represents construction workers across 22 counties in Western Wisconsin, including Dunn County. As an affiliate of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, LiUNA is known for being one of the most progressive and rapidly growing construction unions in the country. Members of Local 268 are committed not only to advocating for fair pay and safe working conditions but also to building stronger communities through acts of service like this one.

“Our members live and work in the communities we serve, and giving back is part of who we are,” said a representative from Local 268. “Helping Kaleidoscope get settled into their new space is just one way we can show support for those doing important work in mental health and recovery.”

The new location at 809 Wilson Avenue offers expanded space and greater accessibility, allowing the Kaleidoscope Center to grow its programming and welcome even more guests in a warm, comfortable environment. The move reflects the ongoing commitment of Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance to peer support values—mutuality, self-determination, and creating spaces that are truly inclusive.

We warmly invite the public to visit the new Kaleidoscope Center. Whether you’re seeking support, want to learn more about peer recovery, or are simply curious about what we do, all are welcome. The center’s new home is a symbol of what can happen when compassion and community come together—and thanks to LiUNA Local 268, that vision is now a reality.

Andrew Garr is the Program Director at Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance, Inc., and is a passionate advocate for peer support, reentry services, and community-based healing initiatives. Contact

MHS Grads: Where are They Now?

Anna Mahoney - Class of 2018

By Judy Foust

Thank you to all the kind readers who not only wrote to tell me how much you enjoyed last week’s article, but also to give me 8 more suggestions for MHS grads to contact. I’ve made initial contacts to all and am looking forward to sharing the lives of our hometown “kids!”

Today I’ll introduce you to Anna Mahoney—Class of 2018—in her own words….

After graduating from MHS, I spent an extra year of high school in Brussels, Belgium with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. While there I lived with two French-speaking host families, went to a French-speaking school with other Belgians, and was able to be in a community choir. This experience was absolutely incredible and has been very influential in helping me make decisions about my future.

After that year, I came back to the States where from August until I started college, I lived with my aunt in California as a live-in nanny, babysat for other families and taught swimming lessons. During COVID, I had the good fortune to come back to Menomonie and live with my family for 3 months.

In the fall of 2019 I started school at Community College of San Mateo, located in the Bay Area of California. Here, in the winter of 2021, I earned an Associate Degrees in both Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies: Contemporary Issues. I was also very active in the student association and a music club called the More Than Music Club which my friend and I founded where students gave concerts at nursing homes.

From here I transferred to California State Long Beach and finished school in August of 2024 with Bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and Sociology. While in college at Long Beach, I worked as a nanny, waiter and a community outreach and advocacy facilitator with Food Finders, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating food waste, hunger and improving nutrition in communities in need. I learned a lot about advocacy, food systems, community development and grassroots organizations. This job was initially a 450-hour paid internship through College Corps, and I was then invited to be a staff member before I started my next adventure.

My goal? I just really hoped to make a positive impact on my community. After graduating from college, it was time for another adventure after lots of hard work and saving up.

Currently I am working as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I started off in Peru and Ecuador for a total of 6 months. For the first 2.5 months I volunteered for Hilo Rojo, a nontraditional school for children in need in Trujillo, Peru. Here I taught English, helped work on a project to get kids glasses, did volunteer coordinating work, traveled and spent time with friends.

After finishing my time with Hilo Rojo, I traveled around to see the other amazing sites in Peru for another month,

either alone or with friends. Then I came back to Ecuador for a total of 2.5 months. In the last month and a half in Ecuador, I visited the Amazon with a Waorani family, where I helped out with their tour agency. While staying with them, there was a large national protest where I was able to work with a nonprofit journalism organization and photographed the protest. This was probably one of the most impactful times of my life. I learned about many other cultures; about journalism, politics, social issues and the power of the people.

In March 2025, I embarked on my biggest journey yet – the Peace Corps in Guatemala. Since March I have been a Food Security Extension Facilitator, which is part of the Rural Extension program working with local farmers and womens groups in the community. For the first 2.5 months I did in-service training with the other amazing volunteers, while living with a wonderful host mom and grandma.

In May we learned where we would be living next. A week later I was dropped off here at my permanent 2-year site, Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sacatapequez, Guatemala. I live with a host family (mom, dad and 2 younger sisters). I work with the Ministry of Agriculture Rural Outreach Team. My work is first and foremost to integrate as best as I can, so right now I am meeting new people and organizations. I’m taking lessons to learn the native language, Kachiquel, which over 90% of the population speaks along with Spanish.

Apart from that, our main goal is to help improve food security in our community; facilitate group and community development, empower women, youth and indigenous communities and engage in cultural exchange. I’m on month one of my 2-year commitment so am still mostly learning and trying to get a better grasp of the community, their assets and needs, to learn how I can most effectively use my time and make the best and most sustainable impact.

So far, I’ve met with some women’s groups (we call CADERS) where we made soaps, detergents, or shampoos, helped create small community gardens, attended community meetings and agricultural fairs and helped vaccinate chickens.

I’m interested in a lot of different areas related to social issues, community outreach and community development so have thought about jobs from research, nonprofit or advocacy work, and journalism to US AID (U.S. Agency for International Development).

I’m thinking of attending grad school after my Peace Corps stint, if it makes sense for my decided career path (and if I can get a really good scholarship through the Peace Corps—“heehee”). We will see where life takes me!

Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected]

The Baskets are Up!

Donations requested for hanging flower baskets by GFWC- Menomonie Woman's Club

Photo: Submitted

By Linda Rundle

If you have driven through downtown Menomonie recently you have probably noticed the hanging flower baskets that adorn the historic light poles along Main Street, Broadway and Crescent.

We hope you are enjoying this colorful addition to our downtown area – but did you ever think about what it takes to hang these baskets year after year?

For over 25 years, the GFWC – Menomonie Woman’s Club has raised the funds to purchase these baskets. This is without a doubt, the largest project that the small club of just 13 members undertakes – and they don’t do it alone. Each fall, club members work with Josh Bergmann from Season’s Harvest Greenhouse to determine how many baskets will be needed for the next summer.

A mailing list is prepared and letters are sent out to area businesses as well as individuals asking for donations to cover the cost of the baskets. Donations are collected by the Community Foundation of Dunn County, which provides the donor with a tax deduction. The City of Menomonie hangs the baskets and provides staff to water the baskets daily.

As you can see, this is no small project and the club is still looking for donations to help cover the cost of the 180 baskets that were purchased this year. If you are interested in making a donation, you can send a check to the Community Foundation of Dunn County, 800 Wilson St., Ste. 235, Menomonie, WI 54751; or go online to the Community Foundation website and the GFWC Flower Basket Fund.

Cost of a basket is $65, but donations of any amount are gratefully accepted.

To learn more about the club or this project, please reach out to Linda Rundle, club president at: [email protected]

MENOMONIE - Family Friendly Workplaces is happy to announce that Dunn County has earned a gold-level certification as a Family Friendly Workplace, recognizing its commitment to supporting employees' well-being and work-life balance.

“In Dunn County, we recognize that a healthy work-life balance is essential to the well-being and long-term success of our employees,” said Jenalee Nutter, Dunn County Human Resources Director. “Earning this certification reinforces our commitment to fostering a workplace where our team is empowered to thrive both professionally and personally. We believe that when our employees are supported, our entire community benefits.”

Dunn County earned this certification after a comprehensive evaluation of its workplace policies, including flexible work options, parental leave, healthcare benefits, and family-centric support programs. As a certified employer, Dunn County is now entitled to use the Family Friendly Workplaces logo in their talent attraction and retention work, as well as access a range of other benefits.

“We’re proud to recognize Dunn County as the fourth county to be certified as a Family Friendly Workplace,” said Neil Kline, Executive Director of Family Friendly Workplaces. “Their commitment to supporting employees and strengthening the community truly reflects the core values of a family-friendly organization.

Family Friendly Workplaces, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Woodville that focuses on addressing western Wisconsin's workforce shortage, strengthening western Wisconsin families; certifying businesses as Family Friendly; encouraging the adoption of family-friendly workplace practices; and raising awareness and building a sustainable funding model to support family-friendly workplaces and practices.

Their primary program is the Employer Certification Program, which helps employers earn a Family Friendly Workplace Certification by offering workplace practices that support families and contributing financially to family-supporting programs.

For more information about Family Friendly Workplaces and its certification program, visit www.familyfriendlyworkplaces.org.

Public Meetings: Week of June 18-25

City of Menomonie

Wed June 18 Urban Forestry Board - 1 p.m.

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Mon June 23 School Board Meeting - 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. - Board Room

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed June 18 Board of Supervisors - 7 p.m.

Thur June 19 Committee on Administration - 3 p.m.

Fri June 20 Traffic Safety & Emergency Medical Services Committee - 9 a.m.

Mon June 23 Judiciary & Law Committee - 4:30 p.m.

Wed June 25 Facilities Committee - 5 p.m.

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance

Photo: Debra Bell

Wed June 18 Farmer’s Market - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; WallDog Mural Sneak Peek - Mabel Tainter - 5-7 p.m.

Thur June 19 Phelan Park Grand Opening - 3 p.m.; Music Over Menomin - 7 p.m. (Eclectic Barn Boys)

Sat June 21 Farmer’s Market 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Vintage Baseball Fest - 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Menomonie Hipnic (food, art & music) 2 - 8:30 p.m. - Wilson Park

Sun June 22 Vintage Baseball Fest - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tues June 24 Ludington Guard Band concert - 7:30 p.m.

Wed June 25 Farmer’s Market - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Menomonie Boys Tennis Ends in State Quarterfinals

Mustangs Face Top-Ranked and Undefeated Brookfield Central in First Round

2025 Menomonie High School boys tennis team pose for a team photo.

2025 Menomonie Boys Tennis, Front (L to R): Coach Carla Taylor, Davin Ellis, Harrison Davis, Bruce Behrend, Jake Rue, Caleb Gunderson, Bricin Leisses Back: Coach Bryce Supri, Sam McWithey, Aaron Lambrigtsen, Micah Gunderson, Tristan Webb, Jack Winterfeldt, Coach Paul Simpson. Photo: Dale Moe

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MADISON - The Menomonie boys tennis season came to an end in the quarterfinals of the WIAA Boys Tennis Team Championship where the Mustangs dropped their contest to defending and eventual state champion Brookfield Central, Friday, June 13 at the Nielsen Tennis Center on the University of Wisconsin campus.

The Mustangs (21-7) were making their second consecutive trip to the state team tournament. Menomonie earned their second consecutive Big Rivers Conterence (BRC) team title this season. Menomonie was the eighth seed in the tournament while Central was the top team and would go on to finish their 2025 season undefeated at 25-0.

In No. 1 singles, Aaron Lambrigtsen fell to Andrey Semin, 6-0, 6-0. In No. 2 singles play, Harrison Davis was downed, 6-2, 6-0, by Noah Wertzler.  At No. 3 singles, Bruce Behrend lost to Austin Tilkins, 6-1, 6-0.   And at No. 4 singles, Caleb Gunderson lost, 6-1, 6-1, to Henry Hyde.

In doubles, Menomonie's No. 1 team of Micah Gunderson/Tristan Webb lost 6-0, 6-0, to Jacob Smith and Michael Li, who placed third in the individual state tournament a week earlier. Jacob Rue/Jack Winterfeldt at No. 2 fell 6-2, 6-0, to Viraj Bhagut/Diago Trevizen. At No. 3, Darrin Ellis/Sam McWethy lost 6-1, 6-0, to Sam Lodes/Tyshi Oliveda.

Lambrigtsen, Micah Gunderson, Webb, Winterfeldt and McWithey are seniors and wrapped up their high school tennis careers.

To see the complete story, go to Menomonie News Net

Future Menomonie Collegians

Menomonie Area Student-Athletes to Keep Your Eyes On

Menomonie High School Mustang Logo

Photo: Debra Bell

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE - A talented class of Menomonie High School student-athletes will extend their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level beginning with the 2025-26 academic year.

Fifteen graduating seniors have committed to compete in a variety of sports at colleges and universities across the country. Athletes will compete at various levels, from NCAA Division I to junior college, NAIA programs and club sports.

On the gridiron, Isaac Ellison will play football at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, while Brody Thornton heads to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. Brady Johnson will continue his football career at North Central College in Naperville, Ill.

Baseball standouts Owen Welch and AJ Zydowsky will stay in-state, with Welch heading to Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and Zydowsky competing for UW-Eau Claire.

Adison Hasse (Dominican University/River Forest, Ill.) and Keiara Daniel (Rochester, Minn., Community and Technical College) will play collegiate softball.

On the track, three Menomonie graduates are slated to head up to the Lake Superior area with Kieran Bignell competing at UW-Superior and Nolan Bien and Isabella Whitwam set to join the Bulldogs of UM-Duluth. Peter Cimino will stay near home and compete at UW-Stout, running both track & field and cross country. Grant Burns is slated to run both track & field and cross country at Taylor University in Upland, Ind.

Basketball standout Brooklynn Birt is set to join UW-Stout’s program, while Ashley Slupe will hit the ice for Lawrence University’s women’s hockey team in Appleton. Hayden Weir will continue in hockey with the Junior Hockey Minnesota Blizzard.

Rounding out the group, Ruben Dayton-Brantmeier will race at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo., as a collegiate cyclist.

MHS Class of 2025 College-Bound Athletes

  • Isaac Ellison – North Dakota State University, Football

  • Brody Thornton – University of North Dakota, Football

  • Brady Johnson – North Central College, Football

  • Owen Welch – Milwaukee School of Engineering, Baseball

  • AJ Zydowsky – UW-Eau Claire, Baseball

  • Adison Hasse – Dominican University, Softball

  • Keiara Daniel – Rochester CTC, Softball

  • Brooklynn Birt – UW-Stout, Basketball

  • Ashley Slupe – Lawrence University, Girls Hockey

  • Hayden Weir – Junior Hockey MN Blizzard, Hockey

  • Kieran Bignell – UW-Superior, Track & Field

  • Peter Cimino – UW-Stout, Track & Cross Country

  • Nolan Bien – UM-Duluth, Track & Field

  • Isabella Whitwam – UM-Duluth, Track & Field

  • Grant Burns – Taylor University, Cross Country & Track

  • Ruben Dayton-Brantmeier – Colorado Mesa University, Cycling

Editor's Note: This story was written with the assistance of ChatGPT by OpenAI and edited by MNN contributor Layne Pitt

Layne Pitt is the retired UW-Stout Sports Information director and also worked more than a decade at the Dunn County News.

Menomonie Collegians is a regular feature of Menomonie News Net. The column is not limited to student-athletes, but may be a former MHS student in a play, forensics, music or any type of collegiate competition. If you know of a Menomonie Collegian, please email [email protected].

The column Menomonie Collegians by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

For a Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.

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