Farewell to Swing Sets

childhood gear carries memories of days gone by

Frida Kahlo once said “Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” I would like to claim that I was enjoying a mindful moment of reflection ...

8 Tips for School-Year Meal Planning

prep early in the week to help your family eat healthier and more efficiently

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. As a working mom, I could not agree with that statement more. Since the birth of our daughter just over a year ago I have been meal planning my butt off and I ...

Orange, Black, & Teal

specially painted pumpkins make Halloween less scary for kids with food allergies

Halloween can be a scary time for the millions of families across the country managing food allergies. Food allergies are a potentially life-threatening conditions and are a growing public health issue ...

Who Will Be My Friend?

that’s the question asked (and answered) in a retired teacher’s colorful tale

The Chippewa Valley’s youngest readers have a new book to enjoy at story time. Colfax author Jeanne Styczinski has published her third book, Who Will Be My Friend?

A Tale of Canoeing Customs

kayaks and speedboats may be faster, but there’s no better way to relax and explore Wisconsin waterways than a good old canoe

Canoeing the rivers of Northern Wisconsin has been a tradition for children in our family since the 1930s. I have a tinted picture of my dad and his cousins swimming in the Cedar Falls Rapids of the Flambeau River in the 1930s when they were ...

The Natural Approach

Bradley Method of childbirth training emphasizes role of father, value of drug-free labor

When Amanda and Tim Gunderson were preparing for the arrival of their first child four years ago, they became interested in an approach to natural childbirth known as the Bradley Method. No one taught it locally, however, so the couple ...

Birthing Options: A Rundown

having a baby is an intensely personal experience, but there are numerous kinds of professionals who can guide and help expectant parents through a successful birth

Childbirth isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Today, parents-to-be are increasingly able to personalize it to fit there needs and desires. Here in the Chippewa Valley, there are a growing range of options ...

Winter at Camp Manitou

kids enjoy snowshoeing, hiking during two-day camp

If your kids like Camp Manitou’s swamp hike over the summer, they’ll love its Winter Camp over Valentine’s Day/President’s Day weekend Saturday, Feb. 14 through Monday, Feb. 16. Now in its fourth year, the camp offers outdoor activities...

Stay Safe Out There

Mayo-sponsored kids’ camp focused on safety

Health care providers and other local experts will teach kids entering the fourth and fifth grades about safety topics at a free Safety Camp sponsored by the Mayo Clinic Health System. Topics include first aid (more than just a Band-Aid) ...