Here’s Menomonie News Net Vol 2, Issue 33. You can read and search for archived issues and articles HERE.

In today’s issue: Menomonie’s July 4th Celebration is back; MHS Grad Jenna Wood ‘06; Shakespeare in the Park and more.

Happy 4th of July…

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

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Website: www.menomonienewsnet.org 

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In this Issue...

• July 4th Celebration in Menomonie

• ‘Looking Back: July

• ‘Downtown Menomonie’ Seeks Public Input: Complete …

• Blue Caps Base Ball: Tournament & Mural

• Red Cross Announces July Blood Drives in Menomonie

• Mayor Crowe: Data Center Ordinance Update

• MTG Presents Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ in the …

• Safe & Healthy Housing: Menomonie Residents, City …

• Glimpse of a New Mural in Menomonie

• MHS Grads: Jenna Wood - Class of 2006

• Public Meetings July 1-8

• Menomonie Events at a Glance July 1-8

• Menomonie Collegians

July 4th Celebration in Menomonie

Entire Day of Events at Wakanda Park from 10am to Fireworks

On the heels of last weekend’s Murals in Menomonie Project…

this weekend’s 250th 4th of July Celebration at Wakanda Park is coming this weekend! From live music and food vendors to baseball, pickleball, disc golf, kids activities, bounce houses, the famous pudding feed, and a fireworks show at dusk, there will be something happening all day long.

We're looking for volunteers to help make this celebration a success. Whether you can give 2 hours, 4 hours, or more, every helping hand makes a difference.

MUSIC

From country favorites to blues, funk, and rock, there will be live music all afternoon and evening.

Featuring The Sue Orfield Band from 4:00–6:00pm.

2:00–4:00 PM – One More Shot
4:00–6:00 PM – Sue Orfield Band
7:00–10:00 PM – Shirts & Skins

Bring a lawn chair, grab something to eat from one of our food vendors, catch up with friends, and enjoy an afternoon of great music before the fireworks light up the sky.

Pickleball Tournament Sign Up

Source: 4th of July at Wakanda Park Facebook page

‘Looking Back: July

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

ADDING TO HER FAME

Menomonie's parks bask in a flush season. Their soft green mats feel the tingling tread of thousands, bent on a day in the open to lift their vim and vigor. Sunday swarms of seekers of outdoor joy devour the delightful scenic diet that nature lavishly loads on to our platters of parks. From far and near they come for these thrills. And they carry away gladdened hearts and happy recollections. They will want to come again —- they’ve had such a good time. And they will pass that word on others who too may drink deeply with their own eyes the charm that nature has conveyed to these park pictures. All Menomonie’s parks had their fill Sunday. Wakanda won thousands on that day, as it always does on a summer Sabbath when throngs of picnickers wend that way. Tables at Tourist Park tempted many to spread their basket contents. Young and old reveled at Riverside. Many patronized Point Comfort. The charm of Menomonie’s parks is adding to her fame. July 1, 1937 Dunn County News

BOLTS SNAPPED IN TWAIN

While the planing machine in Olson’s mill was running, last Saturday, a bolt that holds one of the huge knives in its proper place became loosened, and before the machine could be stopped the chunks of cold steel began to fly around in a manner not at all pleasant to the men at work in that room. An inspection of the planer after the accident revealed the worst demoralized piece of machinery imaginable. Bolts nearly an inch in diameter were snapped in twain like pipe-stems, and the powerful steel knives were broken or bent to their utter ruin. The edge of one of the knives penetrated the cast iron bed nearly half an inch, and another slashed away a large slice of the heavy oaken frame in its wild flight. Men were working around the machine at the time of the accident, and it is an instance of rare good fortune that no one was injured. July 3, 1875 Dunn County News

UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENON

A beautiful sight was presented to stargazers at about 10 o'clock last Saturday evening. In addition to the comet and the usual array of heavenly bodies, there streamed up from the Northwestern horizon, quite to the zenith, a bright ray of light, appearing like a ribbon or scroll slightly twisted. From the zenith to the southwestern horizon the outlines of the ray's were less distinct, yet nevertheless easily traceable. Our astronomical reporter being out on a ply, we are unable to explain the phenomenon. July 9, 1881 Dunn County News

LIEDERKRANZ MAKES MERRY

The beautiful weather of Sunday afternoon was enjoyed to the limit by the members of the Liederkranz and their families in a boat ride and picnic on Lake Menomone. Carl Pieper’s steamboat and barge conveyed about three hundred to the Point during the forenoon and a basket picnic was enjoyed by all. After dinner there was singing and band music to while away the hours most pleasantly. Everybody enjoyed the work of the Liederkranz band, a newly organized institution composed of members of other musical organizations, and all members of the Liederkranz. July 23, 1908 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.

‘Downtown Menomonie’ Seeks Public Input: Complete a Short Survey

As we embark on our next round of strategic planning, we'd love to know what amenities you enjoy downtown and what you'd like to see added in the future. Whether it's better seating, more green space, or improved bike lanes, please take a moment to complete this short survey and share your feedback.

Your responses will help us shape a plan for improvements and partnerships over the next few years!

Click HERE to complete the survey.

Source: Downtown Menomonie Facebook page

Blue Caps Base Ball: Tournament & Mural

The Menomonie Blue Caps had a beautiful day for hosting their vintage base ball tournament on Saturday June 20 at Phelan Park. Check out Menomonie Blue Caps Facebook Page to see highlights of the day.

And visit the newly created Blue Caps mural located at 516 South Broadway.

Note: the organizer of Murals in Menomonie, Wade Lambrigtsen, is himself a member of the Blue Caps team. See Wade below on the right, with his son.

For a schedule and to follow the Blue Caps season this summer, visit their Facebook Page.

Red Cross Announces July Blood Drives in Menomonie

• Tue Jul 7: New Hope Lutheran Church (N2698 460th St, Downsville), 11am - 5pm

• Tue Jul 14: Stout Craft Company (1501 N Broadway, #1500), 10am - 4pm; Sponsor: Menomonie High School

• Tue Jul 28: Phillips Medisize (428 Technology Dr), 11am - 5pm

Click below to check the website for additional blood drives that may have been added.

Source: American Red Cross website

Mayor Crowe: Data Center Ordinance Update

Click HERE to read Mayor Matthew Crowe’s statement providing an update on the new data center ordinance.

Source: City of Menomonie

MTG Presents Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ in the Park

MENOMONIE - Menomonie Theater Guild is thrilled to announce the return of Shakespeare in the Park for the summer of 2026!

Join us as a talented cast of local actors bring William Shakespeare’s As You Like It directed by Alice Langby to life under the summer sky at Wilson Park, Menomonie on the weekend of July 10th and 11th.

Banished from court, Rosalind escapes to the Forest of Arden, a magical woodland where the rules of society are left behind. Here, amidst mistaken identities, unexpected romance, and plenty of laughter, she finds both freedom and self-discovery.

One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, As You Like It is a heartwarming, timeless celebration of love, the enduring power of friendship, and the joy of finding yourself in the most unexpected of places.

Pack a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of live theater in one of Menomonie’s beautiful outdoor spaces. Fun for Shakespeare lovers and newcomers alike, all ages will enjoy this show.

Tickets:
Attendance is free - donations are welcome.

Location:
All performances take place at Wilson Park, 800 Wilson Avenue, Menomonie.

Performance Dates & Times:
● Fri July 10 @ 7:00 PM
● Sat July 11 @ 2:00 PM
● Sat July 11 @ 7:00 PM

About Menomonie Theater Guild:
Menomonie Theater Guild is a nonprofit community theater organization committed to bringing high-quality theatrical productions to the Menomonie area. Since its founding, the Guild has fostered local talent, nurtured creativity, and provided a space for the community to come together through the power of live theater.

For more information: MTG Facebook page

Source: News release

Safe & Healthy Housing: Menomonie Residents, City Leaders Mark Community Win on July 1

MENOMONIE — On Wednesday, July 1, community leaders, GROWW members, Menomonie City Council President Cody Gentz, and Menomonie Mayor Matthew Crowe will gather to celebrate the SHIELD (Safe Housing, Inspections, Enforcement, and Landlord Development) ordinance officially taking effect in Menomonie.

Passed by the Menomonie City Council in February, 2026 by a 9-1 vote after months of community organizing, SHIELD restores local authority to proactively inspect rental properties and strengthens protections designed to ensure more residents have access to safe and healthy housing.

The event will highlight the grassroots effort that led to the ordinance's passage and the hundreds of renters, homeowners, students, landlords, and community members who helped win the victory.

Organizers say the implementation of SHIELD demonstrates what is possible when neighbors come together to solve problems and build power around issues that directly affect their lives.

The event will also connect the local victory to broader efforts to expand access to safe, healthy housing across Wisconsin.

WHAT: Community and Press Event Marking SHIELD Taking Effect

WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Outside the Leisure Services Center, 1412 6th Street East, Menomonie

WHO: Community leaders, members of GROWW (Grassroots Organization for Western Wisconsin) and impacted residents

BACKGROUND
What began in 2024 as conversations with neighbors about housing conditions grew into a citywide effort to improve housing health and safety in Menomonie. Over the following year, residents organized meetings, collected stories, testified before elected officials, and built broad support for change.

In February 2026, more than 70 residents packed Menomonie City Council chambers and overflowed into the hallway as the SHIELD ordinance passed 9-1.

On July 1, those protections officially take effect.

For more information: [email protected], GRO-WW.org, on Instagram at @GrowWisconsin, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GROWWisconsin

Source: News release

Glimpse of a New Mural in Menomonie

To view photos of all 15 murals in stages of creation: Murals in Menomonie or The Walldogs or MuralsinMenomonie.com 

MHS Grads: Jenna Wood - Class of 2006

By Judy Foust

This week’s interview with Jenna Wood has been a particularly fun one to do. Not only is Jenna a former student, she and her family have also become my friends over the past two years. Learning more about her has been truly interesting.

Jenna’s strongest memories of MHS center around softball. As she says, “Playing softball was definitely a highlight for me in high school. It was a huge part of my life at the time and my biggest passion!” One of her most memorable activities in high school was playing on the Varsity softball team.

Another extra-curricular activity that Jenna participated in was Forensics. She was part of a group performance “How to Talk Minnesotan.” In addition, her solo “Oral Interpretation” piece earned her a trip to the state forensics meet in Madison where she received a Gold Medal!

When asked about her favorite classes and teachers, Jenna responded that one teacher who stood out was art teacher Kristen Puhl Berger. “I always enjoyed having her as a teacher! She is such a fantastic artist herself, so it was fun to learn from her.” This was a perfect match since all her life Jenna has loved being able to create and learn new skills. Her art classes were an excellent outlet for her in high school, and she continues to “draw” on those lessons to this day.

During her senior year of high school Jenna worked at the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street. She loved it there since she got to learn a lot about the community and had opportunities to meet many different people. “I would also help out at my mom’s work, Badger Liquor, and do some graphic design projects as well as work in the print shop.” Jenna noted that her sister Shawna worked there as well, adding “Creativity runs in this family!”

After high school, Jenna spent her first two years of college at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. She absolutely loved the beautiful campus and amazing people she met.

However, once she knew she wanted to focus on art and graphic design, she transferred to UW-Stout in 2008 because of its well-respected art program - and because it was close to home. At Stout, Jenna studied multimedia design with a goal to go into animation. “I loved to design and create characters.” She graduated in 2011.

While at both St. Mary’s and UW-Stout Jenna had continued to participate in softball as a pitcher as well as playing first and third bases, making enduring memories with those teams.

She also worked for UW-Stout Athletics as a tricaster director and graphic designer—videoing and recording sporting events. She created posters and other graphic design items. In addition, she worked at Chippewa Valley Golf Club (now Tanglewood) on the grounds crew.

“I took the spring semester off my senior year of college to work at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom as a driver for Kilimanjaro Safaris. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I’m so glad I took that time to experience something new. It really inspired me!”

After graduating college, her first job was at Big Dot of Happiness in Menomonie. Soon after she began working as a graphic and web designer for a small company in Eau Claire.

Then after almost six years… “I knew that I wanted to own my own business. I wanted to be a full-time artist/owner creating things that made me happy. So I started Wood Creative, LLC, in 2018 and am still going strong!

After doing my first-ever mural for the Eau Claire Color Block in 2020 (Nash the Astro Giraffe), I realized that painting murals was something I really wanted to do. I now specialize in illustration, custom murals, print and digital design, as well as in web design.”

Jenna is currently working on one of the largest murals of her career. She was given the opportunity to design and paint a Milwaukee Brewers mural commissioned by the team itself. Located in Eau Claire on the side of The Pickle on Water Street it will have its final reveal the end of July.

In 2014 Jenna married Mark Wood, a fellow 2006 MHS graduate. Mark is also very creative and works as a graphic designer for Menards. They have two “amazing” boys Nash (9) and Jett (4). Besides her design projects, Jenna is having a blast this summer spending time with her family at T-ball games and getting ready for the hockey season.

The family lives in Menomonie where they can all experiences the qualities that make our city so special. “Menomonie always had and still has a great sense of community that made growing up here so enjoyable. I love all the nature that surrounds the area. I also love the small town feel while still being only a short trip away from Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.”

Jenna closed our interview with “Menomonie is a great place. I feel very lucky to get to work my dream job while also being able to spend so much time with my boys. That’s why Mark and I chose to raise our family here.”

And we’re so lucky that you have chosen to remain here, Jenna, sharing your creative talents and love of family and community with us!

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 July 1-8

City of Menomonie

Fri Jul 3 Independence Day Holiday

Sat Jul 4 Solid Waste Site Open, 7am - Noon

Mon Jul 6 City Council Meeting, 7pm, City Council Chambers AGENDA

Wed Jul 8 Tourism Commission, 10am, City Council Chambers AGENDA

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

No Scheduled Meetings

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Thur Jul 2 Planning, Resource & Development Committee, 8:30am PACKET

Mon Jul 6 Fair Board, 5:30pm

Wed Jul 8 Transit/Highway Committee Meetings, 8am

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance July 1-8

Wed Jul 1 Farmers Market, 10am - 4pm, Wilson Park; Moose Lodge Dance, 1-4pm, Menomonie Moose Lodge

Thur Jul 2 Music Over Menomin (Cathy Reitz & 7Swing) 7pm, Public Library; Moose Lodge Bingo, 7pm, Menomonie Moose Lodge

Fri Jul 3 Friday Night Races, 7pm, Red Cedar Speedway; Fireworks on Upper Lake Tainter

Sat Jul 4 Menomonie’s July 4th Celebration, all day, Wakanda Park; Genealogy Help Sessions, 9-11am, Menomonie Public Library; Farmers Market, 10am - 1pm, Wilson Park

Mon Jul 6 Summer Yoga at the Library, 9am, Menomonie Public Library Lawn;

Tue Jul 7 Line Dancing, 5:30 - 8pm, Euchre, 7-9pm, Moose Lodge; Ludington Band Concert, 7:30pm, Wilson Park

Wed Jul 8 Farmers Market, 10am - 4pm, Wilson Park; Moose Lodge Dance, 1-4pm, Moose Lodge

Menomonie Collegians

Former Mustangs Make Their Mark on College Diamonds

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE - Several former Menomonie High School baseball players continued their 20026 collegiate careers, contributing on the field and in the classroom while helping their teams compete for conference championships and postseason berths.

Owen Welch, Freshman, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Owen Welch appeared in 15 games and made five starts for the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Welch played primarily in right field and also saw action as a pinch hitter throughout the season. The freshman collected his first collegiate hit against UW-Platteville on March 19 and then turned in a strong doubleheader against Concordia-Wisconsin on April 8, starting both games in right field. In the opener, Welch went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored. In the second game, he went 3-for-4 and drove in his first two collegiate runs.

For the season, Welch batted .276, going 8-for-29 with two runs scored and three RBIs. He added a double and a triple for a .379 slugging percentage. On the basepaths, Welch stole two bases in three attempts and finished with a .917 fielding percentage. The Raiders finished 30-14 overall and 18-6 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), advancing to the conference tournament.

Treysen Witt, Junior, UW-Stout Polytechnic
Treysen Witt, a right-handed pitcher for the Blue Devils, appeared in 11 games and made six starts. He pitched 39 2/3 innings and struck out 30 batters. Witt, who ranked second on the team in both appearances and innings pitched, posted a 2-3 record. He earned victories over St. Norbert College on March 18 and UW-River Falls on April 22.

Witt recorded his first collegiate save on March 28, pitching the final four innings against UW-Platteville to preserve the victory. Off the field, Witt was selected to the 2026 Academic All-District Baseball Team, presented by College Sports Communicators, for the second consecutive year. He is majoring in health, wellness and fitness.

AJ Zydowski, Freshman, UW-Eau Claire
AJ Zydowski, a pitcher for UW-Eau Claire, did not see varsity action during the 2026 season but was a member of the Blugolds program that advanced to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Baseball Tournament for the first time since returning to varsity status in 2021.

UW-Eau Claire finished the season 21-21 overall and 14-14 in WIAC play.

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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