Menomonie News Net

September 3, 2025, Issue 42

Author

Local News Group
September 03, 2025

Welcome to Issue 42 of Menomonie News Net. If you missed previous Issues, you can catch up HERE.

Please join us next Tuesday, Sept 9 for our Chamber Ribbon Cutting and Open House starting at 1:30 p.m. and continuing until 2:30. We’ll be at the Menomonie Public Library meeting room. Stop by and say hi.

Thank you for donating as you are able…online OR by mail: checks payable to MNN, Address: P.O. Box 63, Menomonie. We are moving toward hiring a part-time editor.

Help us Inform-Connect-Engage….

Editorial Team: Layne Pitt, Becky Kneer, Marsha Biggs; MNN Contributors; Advisory Team; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz

In this Issue…

Park It for a Purpose to Benefit Menomonie’s 4 Tables

4th annual family event Saturday at Woodwind Park

Event Facebook Page

By MNN Staff

Saturday, September 6th - An Entire Day of Fun - Admission is Free.

Park it for a Purpose is an event to benefit the 4 Tables of Menomonie which provide free community meals every Monday through Thursday.

  • Monday’s Meal (United Methodist Church)

  • Tuesday’s Table (St. Joseph Catholic)

  • Wednesday’s Table (Christ Lutheran)

  • Thursday’s Table (First Congregational UCC)

Schedule

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Gates Open - Car Show Starts - Live music - The Cutaways - craft fair - car show - bounce house and games - face painting - silent auction

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Disc Golf Ace Race

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Live music concert - Mojo Lemon. A blues-infused rock n roll band. Food drinks, and a night of music.

Woodwind Park is located at E7115 1058th Ave near Wheeler.

Proposed Data Center Information

City of Menomonie FAQ Page

By MNN Staff

Here are two sources to find out more about the data center being proposed for the Hwy B area east of Menomonie.

- City of Menomonie Data Center FAQs

You can view FAQs on the City’s website at www.menomonie-wi.gov and receive updates on Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofMenomonie/. If you have additional questions, please email our staff at [email protected]

- Volume One Aug 26 Article

You’re Invited: Menomonie News Net - Chamber Ribbon Cutting/Open House

Join us Tues Sept 9 at the public library meeting room 1:30 pm

By MNN Staff

Join us Tuesday, September 9 for a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at 1:30 and an open house until 2:30 p.m. To be held at the Menomonie Public Library Meeting Room. Hope you can stop by.

Dunn County Jail Garden

Benefits felt by many including food pantry recipients, inmate ‘helpers’, community volunteers

Several of the Jail Garden participants (not named in order): Kati Wolf, Danny Lee, Steve Harmston, Riley McLemore, Ben Berg and Heather Pyka, Jail Program Director. Photo: Sue Foxwell

By Sue Foxwell, MNN Contributor

Did you know? Lots and lots of fresh produce is arriving daily at Stepping Stones Food Pantry due to hard work by inmates at the Dunn County Jail Garden and community volunteers.

Located directly behind the Dunn County Courthouse/Jail on on Hwy 12 east of Menomonie, the Jail Garden has four food plots each measuring about 30 X 50 feet growing a variety of fresh produce such as tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, and squash.

One hundred percent of the produce is donated to Stepping Stones who then distributes the fresh produce to local food insecure neighbors.

Since 2010 over 40,000 pounds, one semi-load, has been hand-harvested and delivered. In 2024 alone 160 volunteer hours by community members and 125 hours by inmate helpers provided 2700 pounds of fresh produce, where the normal diet is heavy in processed carbs and canned foods.

The Jail Garden has expanded to include a chicken coop with 6 resident birds and apple trees that provide delicious apples, all to benefit Stepping Stones.

How does all of this happen? Volunteer coordinator Kathie Metzger and Jail Garden Program director Heather Pyka, work together to connect community volunteers and Huber inmates who maintain the Jail Garden. The helpers (inmates) benefit by learning a skill, being productive in providing food for others in the community and at times enjoy sampling the fresh produce they help grow. The program also offers the helpers the benefits of spending time outdoors, taking pride in their work and working side by side with community volunteers.

How you can help? Volunteering at the Dunn County Jail Garden involves general gardening tasks - planting, weeding and harvesting as well as directing and educating our helpers on these tasks. Help others to learn skills to serve them later in their own gardens and their lives. More help is always appreciated.

The Dunn County Jail Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For more information, contact Heather Pyka, Dunn County Jail Program Director, [email protected]v or Kathie Metzger, Dunn County Jail Garden Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected] 

Braver Angels Workshops Offered to Bridge the Partisan Divide

Free sessions seek to curb polarization and promote civil discourse

By Karen Miller

Menomonie, WI - Braver Angels, a national nonprofit organization made up of Republican, Democrat and Independent members with a mission of “bridging the partisan divide,” will conduct three workshops at two Menomonie churches on Saturday mornings in September and October. Workshops are free and open to the anyone with a genuine interest in contributing to depolarization by learning and practicing communication strategies. Registration is required. Participants may register for one, two, or all three workshops. Register HERE.

A light snack and beverage will be provided. Childcare available upon request.

The first workshop, “Christian Response to Political Polarization,” will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 420 Wilson Ave, Menomonie on Saturday, Sept 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This workshop focuses on understanding why political polarization is a serious moral problem for Christians and non-Christians alike. We will identify how our faith or spiritual teachings can help address polarization and specific ways we can act as peacemakers. You will receive email confirmation of registration.

The second workshop, “Depolarizing Ourselves,” will be held at Menomonie United Methodist Church, 2703 Bongey Drive, on Saturday, Sept 27 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This workshop teaches participants how to be more aware of their own “inner polarizer,” and how to interact without demonizing, dismissing, or stereotyping large groups of the population.

The final workshop, “Skills for Disagreeing Better,” will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ on Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically and teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.

Register HERE for one, two or three workshops.

For more information contact Karen Miller, Director of Faith Formation, First Congregational United Church of Christ, [email protected] 715-235-5838

September Housing Clinic

The next Housing Clinic is Thursday September 4 at 4 pm - 5 pm Kaleidoscope Center, 809 Wilson St. Menomonie.

Brought to you by Health Dunn Right and Dunn County Local Housing Advocates Team (LoHAT)

For more info: Dunn County Health Dunn Right Facebook page

Free Yoga at the Library

In-person or via zoom every Monday

The library teams up with Mayo Clinic Health System to bring you FREE Yoga. Join us in the meeting room every Monday to bring some calm to your busy days.

Sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System and Menomonie Public Library.

Yoga provides great benefits, but only you know your own body and limits. As with any exercise, please consult your health care professional with any questions or concerns before starting any exercise program. 

Source: Menomonie Public Library Facebook page

MHS Grads: Where are They Now?

Sally Nystuen Vahle - Class of 1983

By Judy Foust

When Sally suggested we do our interview via Zoom, I was thrilled. That’s as close to a face-to-face as I could get from a woman who has homes in Grand Marais, MN, and Dallas, TX.

Sally Nystuen Vahle - current photo

Sally’s family moved to Northfield, MN (where her dad grew up and Sally’s parents had been married) when she was too young to remember the move. From there, her dad completed his degree in Architecture from the University of Minnesota. The Nystuens continued to live in Northfield where her father worked for an architectural firm. In 1967, when he was offered a teaching position in the Design and Building Construction program at UW-Stout, the family moved to Menomonie and has been there ever since. Sally has two brothers, Arne and Peder. Arne lives in Boston and Peder lives in Eau Claire.

Sally started school at UW-Stout’s Early Childhood Learning Program when it first opened. Even then it had a reputation for being an innovative program. Sally loved it! Because her family lived in Woodland Terrace, she attended River Heights Elementary School. Sally noted that, since her family stayed in the same house their entire time in Menomonie, she never bounced around to other elementary schools. She is still close to some of those River Heights friends.Sally went on to Menomonie Junior/Senior High School (both in the same building at that time).

Knowing that Sally’s professional life has revolved around the performing arts, I asked her when she first knew that she wanted to go into that world. “The very first experience I ever had doing a play was when I was little, probably… 9, maybe? We did a production of ‘South Pacific’ at the Mabel Tainter. Lucy Weidner played the lead—Ensign Nellie Forbush. And I played the little girl, Nanya. That was the first time I ever got to do a play, other than the little plays we did at River Heights.” Throughout her time in Menomonie Sally continued to perform at the Mabel Tainter, working with Karen and Noel Falkofske as well as Marion Lang. This is when she got the true acting bug.

“Some high school teachers really stand out in my memory. There was Karen Peterson, the choir teacher. She was amazing. Drama teacher Terry Motschenbacher came to Menomonie my Freshman year as a first-year teacher. There had been a drama department at the high school previous to that, but Ms. Motschenbacher and Miss Peterson really got it going, embedding it permanently into the school’s curriculum with their enthusiasm and new ideas. Ms. Motschenbacher later went on to teach in Minnesota where she was honored as ‘Teacher of the Year.’”

Besides drama, Sally also participated in debate and forensics during her entire junior/senior high school career. She highlighted longtime MHS English teacher Ellwyn Hendrickson who coached Debate and Forensics as well as Bobbi Tylee who also coached Forensics.

When I asked Sally about other memorable teachers in her life, she was quick to say, “We had such a great cohort of teachers throughout my time in Menomonie. Dave Maves, junior high

History teacher, made a lasting impression on me, and I’ll always remember Pat Reisinger (junior high Home Economics teacher) as an excellent teacher and as a neighbor.”

But the performing arts weren’t Sally’s only interest. She was a runner who fondly remembers coaches Ed Roethke and Dale Dahlke as influential people in her high school life.

In addition, Sally loved being outdoors. Summers she would often go to Camp Widjiwagan near Ely, MN. The camp was sponsored by the Minneapolis-St. Paul YMCA. The summer between her high school graduation and her enrollment at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Sally attended an ambitious 60-day canoe trip to the Arctic! She noted that since she was gone almost all summer, her mom and dad had to register her for her classes at UMD.

High School photo

“They knew that I had to take the basic classes, of course, as a freshman. But they also knew that I loved theater, so they signed me up for a theater class, just because, you know, why not? I stuck with it when I realized how much I loved performing. During my time at UMD. I performed in lots of plays, doing a variety of kinds of shows-musicals, comedies and dramas. It was a great training program. We had many outstanding professors. And, just like my high school days in Menomonie, I was so fortunate to have had such great mentors and guides.”

“By then I really felt like I was clear in wanting to make acting my profession. I’d already had experience doing plays, along with the characterization side of it, and the emotional investment side of it, and all of that sort of stuff. What I gleaned, for whatever reason, was that I might need more training when it came to the technique side of acting. So I made the decision to go directly from earning my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree into graduate school to get a Master of Fine Arts degree."

“That's what brought me to Texas. I ended up getting into the theater training program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. I had gone immediately into graduate school for two reasons: 1) I thought that I needed to be more skilled when it came to techniques, so that I could maybe be more competitive out in the world, and 2) I also had a pretty strong regional Wisconsin/northern Minnesota dialect. That still slays me because we don’t think we have an accent; we just think that everyone else does! I felt like I probably needed to learn how to be able to play roles other than roles that were regional, you know?”

….click to finish reading the article HERE on the MNN website.

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]

Looking Back: September

News items from Dunn County’s past compiled by the Dunn County Historical Society   

Photo: Dunn County News, Sept 9, 1980

GOURMET SPECTACULAR ON ‘28’

A line of waiters dressed in tuxedos prepare to serve frozen blueberry soufflé in a scene from the annual UW-Stout haute cuisine dinner. Highlights of the 14 course dinner and its preparation can be seen on C’EstSiBon on Monday, September 8 at 9:30 p.m. on WHWC-TV, Channel 28, Menomonie. September 9, 1980 Dunn County News

NEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE RED CEDAR

The town board of Menomonie has let the contract to build the new bridge across the Red Cedar to the Clinton Bridge Company, of Clinton, Iowa. The bridge is to be an Iron Truss, of a single span, 160 feet long, resting on substantial stone abutments. It is to be completed in every particular, ready for use by the public, at a cost of $4,750. Work will be commenced on the structure sometime in December and will be finished before Spring opens. We profess to know very little about bridges, but from an examination of the plans and specifications we should think it was a very good kind of a bridge and a cheap one, for that amount of money. September 1, 1877 Dunn County News 

 ZAZA, THE EAST INDIA CLAIRVOYANT, AT HOTEL ROYAL

 Zaza, the world's greatest clairvoyant, is here. She tells your full name, tells names of friends, tells what you called for, reads your entire life instantly and correctly without asking a question. The past vividly recalled. The present unmistakably given, the future clearly foretold. Do not miss this great opportunity to consult Zaza as she remains here only a short time. She has been taught by the great, adepts the development of the more subtle forces of the human organism, or what may be termed the science of the soul. This study leads to the acquisition of powers which appear mysterious to the ordinary senses, but which are only the result of knowledge of natural laws of a more delicate kind than those which are more generally understood. September 1, 1899 Dunn County News

JAMMED HEAD

 Sever Everson imbibed too freely of intoxicating beverages last Wednesday night, and with several other rapid youths, became engaged in a drunken brawl at one of the saloons in town. From high words the bibulous individuals came to blows. Clubs and stones were freely used, some one remarking meanwhile “Jam your jammed head!” and the result was that Sever came out of the fracas with his head covered with bumps utterly unknown to phrenology and his scalp about as thoroughly punctured as an ordinarily colander is. The wounded man was taken to Tonnar’s Drug Store and Doc. Nichols plastered up the hurts scientifically.  September 6, 1873 Dunn County News

20 WHOLE BEEVES SIZZLE FOR CROWD

 Today is barbecue day at the big Dunn County Fair. Twenty whole beeves, prepared by Col. Thomas D. Wilson of Shelbyville, Ind., master of the art, are sizzling over a glowing fire in trenches, and will be handed out to the big throng of spectators. Fifteen hundred gallons of burgoo will he served in tin cups. Ten thousand sandwiches, prepared from 1,000 loaves of bread, will be passed out to the multitude. On the track the 2:15 trot is the first event. Then comes the free-for-all pace, burlesque mule race and gentlemen's double team race. The races will be interspersed with acrobatic exhibitions. September 14, 1906 Dunn County News

AUSTRALIANS HERE TO SEE SCHOOLS

Allred Williams, director of education, Southern Australia, and Frank Tate, director of education at Victoria, arrived this morning for a two days' inspection of the Stout Schools. They are in this country to study its educational system. They had planned to spend two days in St. Paul; but learning of Menomonie's famous schools, decided to devote that time here and will not go to St. Paul. They are thoroughly surprised and delighted with the excellent advantages which Menomonie has to offer. September 19, 1907 Dunn County News

SATURDAY DANCES GROW IN POPULARITY

Last Saturday night's party at the Boathouse was unusually well attended, and it proved to be one of the most enjoyable of the season. The weather was perfect and all conditions were ideal. The floor was in excellent shape, and the temperature was just cool enough to be comfortable for dancers and yet sufficiently warm to be pleasant for those who cared to enjoy the intermissions in the fresh air of the bright moonlight evening outside. A number of Stout students were present, and more are expected next Saturday evening, Sept. 24. Those who attended found the opportunity an excellent one to become acquainted, and every effort will be made to give all a thoroughly “at home” feeling. They are all invited. While this fine weather continues these novel parties should grow in popularity. September 22, 1910 Dunn County News

Do you like “old news?” Follow the Dunn County Historical Society on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dunnhistory for a daily dose.

Public Meetings: Week of Sep 3 - 10

Photo: MNN Staff

By MNN Staff

City of Menomonie

Mon Sept 8 - City Council Meeting, 7 p.m. ; Recreation Advisory Board, 7 p.m. 

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Mon Sept 8 - School Board Meeting, 5:45 p.m. ASC

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed Sept 3 - CJCC Executive & Operations Committee, 11 a.m.

Thur Sept 4 - Fair Board Meeting, 5 p.m., Fair Office, 620 17th St SE

Tues Sept 9 - Dunn County Housing Workgroup, 11 a.m.

Wed Sept 10 - Transit Committee, 8 a.m.; Highway Committee 8:15 a.m., Hwy Dept, 3303 Hwy 12 E

Wed Sept 10 - Executive Committee, 3:30 p.m.

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance

Photo: Debra Bell

By MNN Staff

Wed Sept 3 - Farmer’s Market 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Blood Drive, New Hope Lutheran, Downsville, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sat Sept 6 - Farmer’s Market 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Park for a Purpose (fundraiser) Starting at Noon at Woodwind Park;

Mon Sept 8 - Free Yoga at the Library, 9 a.m.; Blood Donation Drive, Noon - 5pm; Brewery Nonic, 621 4th St W.

Tue Sept 9 - MNN Ribbon Cutting/Open House, 1:30 p.m. Public Library;

Wed Sept 10 - Farmer’s Market 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Blood Drive, 10 am to 4 p.m.; UW-Stout, 302 10th Ave E

MHS Extracurricular News

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

By MNN Staff

August 28

Girls Golf  – The team is traveling to New Richmond for competition. Girls Varsity Tennis – The Mustangs are hosting an invitational starting at 10 AM. Football – Freshman and Varsity Football teams are both traveling to Marshfield. Kickoff for the Freshman game is at 4 PM, followed by Varsity at 7 PM. Boys Soccer – Menomonie is hosting Stevens Point for their home opener. JV kickoff is at 4 PM, followed by Varsity at 6 PM. Girls Swim & Dive – The Mustangs are hosting Wausau East. The meet starts at 6 PM.

August 29

Freshman Football – Menomonie’s Freshman Football team kicked off their season with a strong 42-20 win over Marshfield. The team returns to action next Thursday against Hudson.Varsity Football – Congratulations to the varsity football team on their 30-16 win over Marshfield. The Mustangs will host Hudson next Friday night. Girls Golf  – The Mustangs placed 8th at the season’s first 9-hole BRC meet at New Richmond Links. Team score was 226. Scoring players included Maggie Winsand, Evy Asher, Cierra House, and Zoey Cleveland. Boys Soccer – Menomonie battled Stevens Point to a 1-1 draw. Carlos Flores scored his second goal of the season. The team travels to Eau Claire North tomorrow for matches against Sparta and Holmen. Girls Tennis – The Mustangs went 3-0 at Thursday’s home tournament, defeating Holmen, Winona, and River Falls. Emma Lorenzen, Dylan Watkins, Kylah Gilbertson, and Elodie Long now hold a 7-2 season record. The team has two more matches today—good luck!

September 2

Boys Cross Country - Congratulations to the boys cross country team for an excellent opening performance on Saturday at the Husky Invite in Eau Claire. The boys placed 3rd overall in the 15 team meet, with six award winners, including Luke Ray, Logan Topper, Evan Olson, Noah Winder, Owen Pelzel and Karter Livingston. The guys have this weekend off, but will be on our home course the following week for the 50th annual Menomonie Relays on September 13th. Girls Cross Country -
Congratulations to the MHS girls cross country team for their outstanding performances at the Husky Invite on Saturday. The girls finished 1st of 14 teams, defeating all conference schools as well as Minnesota powerhouse Stillwater. The Mustangs had four girls finish individually in the top 10. Lauran McCalla won the meet, finishing the 5k course in a time of 17:52. This is the 2nd fastest time in school history. Bennett Schmitt finished 2nd overall. Bree Barfknechtfinished 5th while Bella Drake finished 9th. Rounding out the scorers for the Mustangs was Lexi Thalacker with a 21st place finish. Great job girls team, and a wonderful start to the season.

Menomonie Collegians

Menomonie’s Brewer Earns Preseason All-America Honors

UW-Stout's football player No. 5, in a white uniform, reacts to a play. The D3football.com logo is in the lower left corner.

UW-Stout's Brooks Brewer, a Menomonie High School graduate, earned D3football.com Preseason All-America honors. Photo: UW-Stout Sports Information

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE – UW-Stout junior defensive back Brooks Brewer has earned a spot on the D3football.com Preseason All-America second team, as the Blue Devils prepare for the 2025 season.

Brewer, a Menomonie native and 2025 UW-Stout team captain, was one of the WIAC’s most dominant defenders in 2024. He played in all 11 games, leading the league with 103 tackles, including 44 solo stops. Brewer also tied for the conference lead with four interceptions while adding 1.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups. His performance earned him second-team All-WIAC and D3football.com second-team All-Region honors as a sophomore.

As a freshman in 2023, Brewer saw action in seven games, recording eight tackles and a fumble recovery. A 2022 graduate of Menomonie High School, he was a first-team all-conference running back and an all-region linebacker before joining UW-Stout.

The 6-foot, 195-pound mechanical engineering major enters his junior year as a cornerstone of the Blue Devil defense.

The Blue Devils were one of seven WIAC to receive votes in the AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Blue Devils last season advanced to post-season play for the first time since 2000.

UW-Stout opens the 2025 season on Saturday, Sept. 6, when the Blue Devils host the University of Dubuque at Williams Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Stout will play a pair of non-conference games Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 before opening league play Oct. 4 at UW-Eau Claire. Stout will host UW-Oshkosh Oct. 11 in the conference home opener. The season concludes Nov. 15 as the Blue Devils host UW-River Falls.

A Blue Devil Season Preview

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) released its preseason football predictions for 2025, with UW-Stout selected sixth in one of the nation’s toughest Division III leagues.

The Blue Devils are coming off a 6-5 campaign, their first winning season since 2018, and advanced to postseason play for the first time since 2000. Stout is also one of seven WIAC teams receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll, under 15th-year head coach Clayt Birmingham.

Senior quarterback Adam Moen, a 2024 All-WIAC second-team pick, leads the offense with his dual-threat ability. He will be protected by veteran linemen Sam Brouillet and TJ Scott, while senior running back Ben Tolkinen and junior wide receiver Devonte Evans headline the skill positions.

Defensively, junior defensive back Brooks Brewer returns after earning second-team All-WIAC honors and being named to the 2025 D3football.com Preseason All-America Second Team. Junior defensive lineman Walker Beyerl and senior linebacker Blaine Siedl add leadership and depth to a defense that will be tested weekly in the WIAC.

UW-La Crosse, ranked No. 10 nationally, was picked to win the conference, followed by UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Whitewater, and UW-Oshkosh. UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point round out the poll behind Stout.

The Blue Devils open the season Sept. 4 in nonconference play, with league action beginning Oct. 4.

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

“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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