Welcome to Issue Vol 2, Issue 8 of Menomonie News Net. If you missed previous Issues, you can catch up HERE.

With today’s issue we are back on our Wednesday at 11am weekly rhythm. Today we share some of what 2026 brings in the way of opportunities for Menomonie. There’s lots happening in your community!

Today, we’d like to take an opportunity to acknowledge and THANK our fiscal sponsor, The Community Foundation of Dunn County, for providing MNN the opportunity to operate as a nonprofit (501 c 3) without which we couldn’t do what we do. Georgina and staff, you are so appreciated!

Another group we acknowledge are our dedicated MNN Advisory Board Members: Marsha Biggs, Renee Carrell, Kate Edenborg, Pat Eggert, Sue Foxwell, Steve Hanson, Becky Kneer, Barbara Lyon, Pam Manor, Sali Mounce, Ellen Ochs, Layne Pitt, Pat Reisinger, Lynn Shaw, Bruce Siebold, Don Steffen and John Wilkerson. Thanks for showing up…you are our anchor. Also thanks to photographers, Deb Bell & Vicky Sinz; tech support, Tracy Glenz and others who volunteer along the way!

And….thank YOU our subscribers and donors! Donations welcome online or by mail: checks to MNN, P.O. Box 63, Menomonie. (Options for tax-deductible gifts: in memory or in honor of, recurring, anonymous, RMD).

Thanks for trusting us on this local news journey…Happy 2026!

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

Website: menomonienewsnet.org Submit News: [email protected]

In this Issue…

• Parade of Lights Winners Announced

• Grant Opportunities + Free Workshop for Dunn County Nonprofits

• Local Authors Visit Public Library

• Menomonie Public Library Foundation Receives Large Donation

• Vibrant Voices Memory Choir Announces Spring Schedule

• Spring Election Updates

• Looking Back: January

• Dunn County 4-H: There’s Alot Happening

• Menomonie Rec Dept: 2026 Winter/Spring Sign-Up + Adult Pickleball

• MHS Grads: Where are They Now? Marsha Klatt Biggs - Class of ‘73

• Public Meetings: Week of Jan 7-14

• Events at a Glance: Jan 7 - 14

• MHS Extracurricular Activities

• Menomonie Collegians - Kellan Aure, Cody Kwak

Parade of Lights 2025 Winners Announced

Thank you to everyone who decorated, voted, and visited displays throughout Menomonie and Dunn County. Your holiday spirit helped make this season shine!

Sponsored by Explore Menomonie, Dunn County & Menomonie Parks and Recreation.

Source: Explore Menomonie Facebook page

Grant Opportunities + Free Workshop for Dunn County Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Dunn County is now accepting Community Impact Grant applications for projects that strengthen Dunn County in areas like arts and culture, health, education, environment, recreation, basic needs, and more. Applications are due Feb 1, by 5 PM.

Apply for a grant: https://cfdunncounty.org/receive/grants/

To help you prepare, we’re also hosting a free Pop-Up! Workshop: Grant Writing 101 on January 13th from 3:00-4:00 PM at the Menomonie Market Food Co-op. This session is perfect for organizations new to grant writing or anyone wanting a quick refresher. We’ll cover the 7 Steps to Writing a Successful Grant, evaluation criteria, CFDC funding opportunities, and other Dunn County funding resources.

Who should attend? Nonprofits, government and public agencies, and community groups serving Dunn County.

Have questions? Contact Ray Pagenkopf at 715-232-8019 or [email protected].

Register for the free Grant Writing Workshop https://cfdunncounty.org/pop-up-grantwriting101/

Let’s make 2026 a powerful year of community impact! Join us, apply, and help move Dunn County forward!

Source: CFDC Facebook page

Local Authors Visit Public Library

Travel writers Tom Manus & Kristi Flick Manus talk about Wisconsin

Join us in the library meeting room on Tues, Jan 13 at 6pm as Eau Claire authors and travel writers, Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manus for "Where the Road Takes You: Unlocking Wisconsin's Historic and Secret Places." They'll talk about their books, Secret Wisconsin and Historic Wisconsin Roadsides, and sign copies for attendees. The couple has been featured on TV and radio stations across the Midwest, including WGN Chicago and NPR.

Find out where you can still ride Elvis’ favorite roller coaster, visit the 1964 and 1965 New York World’s Fair Wisconsin Pavilion, eat a Friday MORNING Fish Fry, and and whether the Wizard of Oz really had its worldwide premiere in Oconomowoc.

Secrets, stories, and chat with the authors. Don't miss it!

Source: Menomonie Library Facebook page

Menomonie Public Library Foundation Receives Generous Donation

MENOMONIE - The Menomonie Public Library Foundation (MPLF), an independent nonprofit organization that supports the Menomonie Public Library, is pleased to announce that it has received an unexpected and very generous donation from the Wahl Family Trust. This contribution is the largest single gift in the Foundation’s history and represents a significant investment in the Foundation’s efforts to support and strengthen the Menomonie Public Library. Foundation leaders have expressed deep appreciation for the donor’s confidence in the Library’s vital role within the Menomonie community.

Consistent with its mission to “sustain, enhance, and ensure the continuing development of the Menomonie Public Library,” the MPLF will thoughtfully steward this historic gift from the late Eva Wahl to support future library-related needs and opportunities. In keeping with Eva’s vision of a library as a cornerstone for knowledge and lifelong learning, this landmark donation will help ensure that the Menomonie Public Library continues to serve current and future generations.

For more information on the MPLF, visit https://menomonielibraryfoundation.org/

Source: News Release

Vibrant Voices Memory Choir Announces Spring Schedule

Rehearsals & Social Time: Thursdays 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

January 15 - April 9 (no rehearsal April 2)

Concert & Social Time: April 16 at 1:00pm

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 9th Street E, Menomonie

Music Director: Dominique Stewart Accompanist: Oxana Khramova

Join our choir for those living with memory loss, their care partners and singing volunteers. No musical experience necessary to participate.

If interested, please contact Dominique at [email protected]

Source: Submitted information

Spring Election Updates

Candidates for Dunn County Board of Supervisors have just been finalized. View the Dunn County Clerk website’s recently updated information.

Candidates for Dunn County Board of Supervisors

Notifications of Non-Candidacy for County Board

Source: Dunn County Clerk website

Looking Back: January

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

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

Mary Vorhes was one of the many townspeople ringing in the Bicentennial Year at midnight New Year’s Eve. Mary took turns pulling the rope at Peace Lutheran Church with her father, the Rev. Arthur Vorhes, and Rudy Schleusner, Rt. 2, Menomonie. While many city churches and UW-Stout sounded their bells and carillon in the cold night, Peace Lutheran rang theirs the longest — 11 minutes. The bell ringing was the first county wide Bicentennial project of the year. The bells were also rung at noon on New Year’s Day. According to Mrs. Conrad Curry, president of Dunn County Church Women United, all 46 county churches were requested to participate. The project resulted from an idea provided by Mrs. Donald Anderson, Menomonie. January 7, 1976 Dunn County News 

ICE HARVEST BEGINS ON LAKE

Ice cutting on Lake Menomin is in full swing this week. Four crews under F. Numan, C. Kirch, W. Werdeman and A. Haefner are hard at work every day cutting ice into square blocks. Kirch and Werdeman employ about ten men, Numan seven, while Haeffner is alone for the time being. About 20 teams are kept on the go when ice cutting is at its height. Numan has cut up-to-date 7,000 cakes, which average 16 cakes to a ton. The ice is 16 inches thick. About 4,000 cakes have been put up at Tainter Hall and Senator Stout’s ice house. This year's ice is the best in many years as it is very clean and clear. Ice cutting usually keeps on until the last of February. January 7, 1909 Dunn County News

BELL PLACED IN TOWER

The workmen are engaged this week in installing the electric clock in the tall tower of the Stout Manual Training School. Last Saturday afternoon the big bell was easily raised to its place by two men with the aid of a block and tackle. It was late before the hoisting arrangements were made, but at half past four the bell started on its upward journey. A large crowd of bystanders had assembled to witness the novel spectacle. It took about three hours to land the bell safely in the tower. By Tuesday noon the bell was in place and twelve strokes announced the hour. The bell weighs over 7,000 pounds and is the largest in use in the west outside of Milwaukee or Chicago. It gives forth a deep, clear and musical tone on the key of A b. January 14, 1898 Dunn County News

LIVE SNAKE IN ROAD

A live snake in the road Jan. 2, is a gentle reminder that Dunn County is moving closer to the banana belt. Frank Themis of town of Dunn, is reported to have seen a garter snake two feet long in the road on that day while teaming. Tim Manore, a neighbor farmer in the same town, told the News the story Saturday and is ready to make affidavit that it is authentic. A snake on the cold snow is an unusual sight in Dunn County at this time of year and has caused considerable comment. January 10, 1907 Dunn County News 

GOOD JUMPING AT COLFAX SKI MEET

At Colfax Tuesday the ski tournament of the Holmenkollen Ski club drew a large crowd, Menomonie being well represented: There were a large number of participants in both the professional and amateur classes. In the former Ole Feiring of Duluth made a total of 229 feet in two jumps, Anders Haugen of Chippewa Falls 228 feet and Christ Bjornson of Colfax 226 feet. In the long standing jump Jacob Gjestad of Stoughton and Christ Bjornson each made 116 feet, the longest on record. Among amateurs Barney Riley made 212, Ted Larson of Chicago 198, Willie Fjelsted of Colfax made 196, Sigard Bergarson of Virginia, Minn., 195 and Alvin Olson of Colfax 191 in two Jumps. January 26, 1911 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.

Dunn County 4-H: There’s Alot Happening!

By Ann Lee, Dunn County 4-H Assistant

It has been a busy month for Dunn County 4-H’ers.

On Saturday, Dec 6, a group of 4-H’ers from Dunn County along with members from Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties participated in a Robotics Day at UW-Stout. They were not only given a demonstration by the UW-Stout Robotics Team and a tour of the campus, but they had the opportunity to work in teams to build and program robots to compete against each other in a robotics challenge.

On Dec 7, Dunn County 4-H members and their families attended the musical White Christmas at the Mabel Tainter Theater hosted by the Menomonie Theater Guild. Following the performance, the enthusiastic 4-H’ers were given a backstage tour along with a quick dance lesson on the stage by members of the cast.

Upcoming 4-H Activities

We are fortunate to partner with UW-Stout to provide unique opportunities for our 4-H members through their outreach programs. Our next partnership with them will be UW-Stout’s 4-H STEM Days on January 10 & 17 for 4-H members in grades 6-9 where they will learn about 3D printing, laser cutting, and soldering in the UW-Stout “Fab Lab” as they make a Lithophane Box.

We look forward to another event with UW-Stout in February called Art U. It’s a collaboration between Dunn, Chippewa and Eau Claire County 4-H and UW-Stout’s Art Department which provides art lessons given by Art Education Students to youth in grades K-12. Youth grades K-6 will have virtual instruction while youth 7-12 will attend classes on campus at UW-Stout. These sessions will be held on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. from February 12 - March 12. There will be a nominal fee of $5 for enrolled 4-H members and $10 for those not enrolled for the five classes. Registration closes January 13. To register: go.wisc.edu/artu2026.

Being able to speak in public and give presentations are valuable skills to learn. To provide our 4-H youth with motivation to research, plan and present topics that they find interesting, we have organized a Tri-County (Dunn, Chippewa and Eau Claire) 4-H Speaking and Demonstration Festival. The festival held on Sat, Jan 31 at Elk Mound High School will give 4-H youth a chance to practice their communication skills in a supportive environment while bolstering their self-confidence.

Featured Dunn County 4-H Group – Youth Activities Council

The Youth Activities Council (YAC) is a group of Dunn County 4-H members who are in the 6th grade or older that get together to do community service and fun activities. It is a great way to get involved in the community and to meet other 4-H members. It is easy to join. All you need to do is join 4-H, come to a meeting or an event and you can be a part of the YAC and its exciting activities such as the Battle of the Clubs.

The Battle of the Clubs is a county-wide event on Feb 21 where each club forms teams of 5-10 youth to compete for awards in a variety of activities chosen by the Youth Activities Council. The Youth Activities Council meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie at 6:30 p.m. If you want to learn more, please call our office at 715-232-1636. Or visit our Facebook page.

Ann Lee is the Dunn County 4-H Assistant. She can be reached at 715-232-1636 to learn more about 4-H activities and how to get involved in 4-H.

Menomonie Rec Dept: 2026 Winter/Spring Sign-Up Now Open + Adult Drop-In Pickleball

2026 Winter/Spring Registration opened Monday, January 5.

To access the Winter/Spring 2026 Recreation Dept Brochure click HERE.

To register click HERE.

Adult Drop In Pickleball Play starts Wednesday Jan 7 at 6-9pm in the Menomonie Middle School Gym. Pay $5 cash or check at the door. (A 12-round punch card is $50)

Beginners to experienced players welcome to join in. Paddles, pickleballs, & nets provided by Menomonie Recreation Department.

Source: Parks & Rec Facebook page

Marsha Klatt Biggs - Class of 1973

By Judy Foust

One of the joys of writing this column is that people often come to my rescue if I need information. This is exactly what happened in this week’s column. When Marsha Biggs found out that I was having difficulty getting articles during the holiday season, she stepped up to the plate. Not only did she volunteer to participate, but she actually wrote her own story! So this week’s feature is in her own words….

Growing up in the early ‘70s meant a quite different high school experience than today. Girls were not offered machine shop or competitive sports, so we learned sewing, baking and homemaking skills in FHA (Future Homemakers of America) while boys took FFA (Future Farmers of America) and played basketball, football, and tennis. Looking back more than 50 years later, it’s remarkable how much has changed.

After graduation, I wasn’t ready for college, so I worked as a waitress and played casual pick-up softball games at Wakanda Park. I also played 4-H softball. In addition, I spent a summer giving tours at the Mabel Tainter and taught dog-training classes for 4-H members. A friend’s move to the Twin Cities inspired my own move, so I found work at the Humane Society in Golden Valley. However, I only lasted a year as the shelter was not a no-kill facility at that time. Therefore, it was too hard for me to know that pets were being euthanized.

I then moved on to work at an insurance agency where I met my future husband, Bill Biggs, an Eau Claire native attending college after completing his Army service. We married in 1978 and made Menomonie our home for the rest of our lives.

I worked a variety of jobs before joining the newly built 3M plant in Menomonie. Bill followed five years later, and we both built long careers there. Bill retired after 25 years, but my own path shifted when my CD ROM product line got sold and my position was eliminated after 16 years.

That change pushed me back to school, where I graduated summa cum laude from UW-Stout in 2000. During that time, I wrote the “Lifestyle” section for the Dunn County News and also volunteered at the Dunn County Humane Society.

In an unexpected twist, I was hired back by a 3M subsidiary based out of Maryland (3M HIS) in 2006. That job had me working remotely when I was not flying around the country installing medical software as an Implementation Consultant and later as a Project Manager. I stayed with 3M HIS for 18 years, continuing on after losing my husband in 2021, and finally retired at age 70 in December 2024.

Retirement has been full and meaningful. My husband and I cared for twelve dogs over the years, and my current companion is Choncho, an 8 year old German Shepherd. I also volunteer as a copywriter for Menomonie News Net, joined a (UW-Extension) Homemakers group, and discovered a new passion—writing lyrics and creating song videos. I post them on Facebook and Vimeo and have somehow gathered quite a following, which still surprises me. For anyone curious, my song videos can be found on my Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/showcase/11938626?fl=so&fe=fs

Menomonie has shaped so much of my life, and even after all these years, I still feel it’s the perfect hometown.

……Thanks, Marsha, for sharing your story. I really appreciate you volunteering to provide the first “MHS Grads” article of 2026!

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]

Public Meetings: Week of Jan 7-14

City of Menomonie

Mon Jan 12 Recreation Advisory Board, 7pm, Leisure Services Ctr, AGENDA  

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Mon Jan 12 Mid-Year Budget Hearing, 5pm; School Board Meeting, 5:45pm, ASC

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Tues Jan 13 Housing Workgroup, 11am

Wed Jan 14 Executive Committee, 3:30pm

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance

Thur Jan 8 City Christmas Tree Recycling (Curbside Pickup), 6am; Housing Clinic, 4-5pm, Kaleidoscope Center; Kids Makerspace, 4-5pm, Menomonie Public Library

Fri Jan 9 LGBTQ+ Community Social, 9:45 am, 809 Wilson Ave; Red Cross Blood Drive, YMCA East, 12:30-5pm; Wolske Bay Park S’mores, Hot Choc, Coffee, 7-9pm Hosted by Believers City Church

Sun Jan 11 Red Cedar Pheasants Forever Community Event, 3-5pm, The Yard

Mon Jan 12 Yoga at the Library, 9am, Public Library (Mondays through May 11); Chamber Business After Hours, 5-6:30pm, Gentle Dental;

Tue Jan 13 Grant Writing Workshop, 3-4pm, Menomonie Market (by Community Foundation); Authors Visit, 6pm, Public Library

MHS Extracurricular Activities

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

By MNN Staff

Mon, Jan 5

Over the break, the Boys Varsity Hockey played against Black River Falls winning 7-3. Then the boys took it to Siren for a tournament and went undefeated, winning 6-2 & 3-0.

The Girls Hockey Team fell to the ECA Stars 2-0 on Monday, Dec 22. The team traveled to Hayward for a holiday tournament losing to the defending state champs Bay City Ice Bears 8-0. They were able to rally back and take the next game in overtime 7-6 over Beaver Dam. Aubrie Dowd stepped it up in the shootout stopping 8/10 shots, then defeating Arrowhead 4-3 in the final game of the tournament.

Over break the Girls Basketball Team won 3 straight games. Starting with a 75-60 win vs Somerset. The Mustangs were led by Jordan Ohman with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists, Lauren Ohman chipped in with 20 points and Reece Barfknecht added 10 points in the Mustang Victory. Next the Mustang took on the Merrill Bluejays and won convincingly 64-24. Emmi Marlett led the Mustangs with 16 points followed by Jordan Ohman with 13 points and Gracie Miller with 10 points. Mari Ramirez tallied 9 rebounds in the win. In their 3rd game during break the Mustang beat a strong Rhinelander team 54-44. Jordan Ohman led all scores with 27 points followed by Emmi Marlett with 14 points.

The Boys Basketball Team also won 3 straight games over break. It began with a decisive 66-48 win over Somerset. Leading the way for the Mustangs was Trevor Robert with 21 points and Jake Rue with 15. The 2nd game the Mustangs took on the Antigo Red Robins winning 71-34. Leading the charge was Jake Rue with 19 points followed by Trevor Robert with 16. The final game of the tournament the Mustangs took on the Merrill Bluejays and came out with a 61-57 win. Leading scorer was Jake Rue with 18 points.

Wed, Jan 7

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team on their 57 to 40 win over Osceola on Monday night. Leading scorer was Jake Rue with 19 points.

Menomonie Collegians

Kellan Aure, Cody Kwak working to get back in line-up

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Central Michigan University’s Kellan Aure, a redshirt sophomore from Menomonie, started the 2025-26 wrestling season off with a bang by winning his weight class at the Michigan State University Open in November.

Aure went 3-0 to win the 141-pound class in the Open Division of the tournament.

Aure opened with an 8-0 major decision victory over Jacob Brennamen of Edinboro, then defeated Indiana's Lucas Peters, 4-1; and then downed teammate Nick Blackburn in the final, 5-2.

Since then, Aure has been locked in a battle with Blackburn to get back into the lineup. Blackburn has gotten all of the starts at 141 in five dual matches and the Midlands Championships at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

While at Menomonie, Aure won a state title at 132-pounds during his senior year in 2023. Aure was the 2022 Wisconsin state runner-up at 132 and a two-time first team all-Big Rivers Conference (BRC) selection (2022, 2023) and a second team all-BRC pick (2021).

Aure is currently posting an 18-19 overall record over his collegiate career. During the 2024-25 season, Aure posted four bonus-point victories including two major decisions. Aure red-shirted his true freshman year but was able to compete in open meets, going 6-4 with three bonus-point victories: one technical fall and two major decisions. Aure finished fourth in the freshman/sophomore division of the Michigan State Open.

Cody Kwak started off his collegiate career at NCAA Division III St. John’s University, but transferred to NCAA Division II Minnesota State, Mankato, last season, seeing action in five matches. Kwak, who is listed at 197-pounds, has yet to see action this season.

At Menomonie, Kwak was a three-time regional champion, two-time team captain and earned first team all-BRC honors in 2022 and 2023. In football, Kwak was a three-time all-conference selection, a team captain and a member of the National Honor Society.

Both Central Michigan and Minnesota State return to action Jan. 9-10 at the NWCA Duals at Northern Iowa University in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

And speaking of Central Michigan University, former UW-Stout men’s basketball coach Jim Lake is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Chippewas. Lake, who was at Stout from 2018-25, came to Menomonie from Ferris University after Ferris won an NCAA Division II national championship. That Ferris team was coached by Andy Bronkema. Bronkema was hired as the CMU coach last spring and tabbed Lake shortly after.

“Bringing Coach Lake back to Central Michigan was a high priority for me from day one,” Bronkema said in a release earlier this summer. “Our history together and his skill set will be vital for our program. Jim is a relentless recruiter but more importantly, his background as an educator and his commitment to teaching and developing our student-athletes will be elite. Jim’s head coaching experience will allow him to be influential in every aspect of our program. His Wisconsin network will also increase our Midwest footprint. It’s great to add a third national champion with head coaching experience to our staff.”

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 Menomonie area 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/

Menomonie Mustangs Athletics and Activities | UW-Stout Blue Devil Athletics

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

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