WHAT'S WINTER IN WISCONSIN WITHOUT THE PACKERS? Lisa Brancaccio, an apparent Packers fan, recently wrote a new children's book about wintertime activities for kiddos to do in the Chippewa Valley, titled Winter in the Chippewa Valley. Though, this photo isn't from the Chippewa Valley, Brancaccio still has a whole buncha' ideas for things you and your family can do this winter. (Submitted photo)

Do you feel panicky when the temperature starts to plummet, thinking, I’ll be trapped in the house all winter?  Well, lace up your boots and stack on the layers because there are a plethora of activities to keep you busy until spring! Local writer Lisa Brancaccio dives into a multitude of things to do this season in her new book, Winter in the Chippewa Valley.

“The book includes references to common winter activities, like building a snowman, sledding, and drinking hot cocoa,” Brancaccio said. “I also reference several local wintertime favorites, like viewing the ‘rainbow bridge’ in Eau Claire as it reflects off the water, strolling through the Christmas Village at Irvine Park, and warming up in heated sand at the dome at Loopy’s or The Complexx at Wagner’s."

After learning about self-publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing, Brancaccio decided to give it a whirl. “If any local writers or authors are on the fence about publishing their book and getting a copy in hand, I highly recommend taking the leap," Brancaccio said.

As for how Brancaccio spends the wintertime, she said she loves to play cards with a cold beer from a local brewery in hand, and she hopes to try her hand at ice fishing for the first time this winter. She hopes her book inspires families to bundle up and have fun.

“It’s easy in the summer to get the kids outside every day and find something to do," she said, "but I want to showcase all there is to do around here, even when it is snowy and cold."

Winter in the Chippewa Valley can be purchased through Book Patch or Amazon.