Volume One Contributors

May. 14, 2015

A Mud Run from the People Behind Country Jam

Bailey Berg

Country Jam may be known as a party-fueled weekend of cut-off jean shorts, cowboy hats and country tunes, but come Sept. 19, it will also be known for its equally wild Mud Jam for charity. While the biggest obstacle Country Jam attendees face is racing to beat the ...

May. 14, 2015

Hearing from Home

real-life letters tell farm family’s tale

Bailey Berg

In an era of text messages, emails, and Snapchats, it’s becoming increasingly uncommon to pen the long, detailed letters of decades past. Communication is snappier, broader and, as former-local author Sarah Deluca argues, not as deep. But her latest book ...

Jan. 7, 2015

Date Like a Ninja

local author’s date ideas oughta spice things up

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Ninjas might not be as debonair as Cary Grant or as suave as James Bond – although, like 007, they too are usually clad in black. Ninjas’ proclivity to wield fists of fury and samurai swords might negate any air of gallantry ...

Oct. 31, 2014

That’s the Spirit

What do you get when you distill beer into whiskey? Beerskey, of course.

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Ask a college student about the perils of mixing alcohol – namely spirits and beer – and you’ll likely be treated to a little ditty proclaiming, “Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” But, what happens ...

Nov. 5, 2013

Brewing a Fair Trade

A local nonprofit connects Wisconsin with coffee farmers around the world in a way that helps farmers and gets us the best beans.

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth, Aaron Ellringer

In the uber-caffeinated world of coffee, dozens of buzzwords, like “organic,” “local” and “fair-trade” exist. But, the local Farmer to Farmer project has thrown a new one into the mix by being one of the first non-profit coffee companies ...

Jul. 31, 2013

Testament to Stamina

UWEC grad’s run across the country inspires book

Bailey Berg

Jared Choate has an interesting bucket list: to play drums for 24 hours straight, to see a screenplay he’s written become a film, to pay off his student loans before he dies, and to fire a bazooka. His list got a little shorter two years ago when he ...

Jun. 19, 2013

Life-saving Mission

Eau Claire vets travel to treat Honduran pets

Bailey Berg

On a recent World Vets mission trip, a Peace Corp volunteer entered the makeshift clinic carrying a stray puppy named Feaita. The villagers had given the puppy the moniker – meaning “ugly girl” – and chased her away ...

Feb. 13, 2013

Running with the Dogs

Beaver Creek Reserve offers a taste of dog sledding

Bailey Berg

Outdoor enthusiasts, dog-lovers, or anyone who just really wants to reenact scenes from “Iron Will” can add dog sledding to their winter bucket list thanks to a new program through Beaver Creek Reserve. Participants can get their mush on ...

Aug. 7, 2012

Dancing Around the Canvas

Eau Claire painter to hold open studio event

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Like many artists, Dana Sterzinger draws inspiration from the greats – namely Jackson Pollack, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali. But unlike other area artists, she also draws inspiration from a 1960s artistic movement that incorporates elements ...

Jun. 12, 2012

Growing Hope

program teaches inmates how to grow their own grub

Bailey Berg, Andrea Paulseth

Inmates at the Dunn County Jail are growing – in more ways than one. Roughly 20 Huber Inmates have become some of the biggest benefactors in Menomonie, having donated several thousands of pounds of produce to the local food ...

May. 31, 2012

Hammerin' Hank

city soon to celebrate the 60 year anniversary of Aaron’s time in Eau Claire

Bailey Berg

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron: just a few of the baseballs greats. But only one of them called Eau Claire home, at least for a summer ...

May. 15, 2012

Major Marketing

new “Artist Market” coming to Phoenix Park

Bailey Berg

This summer there will be a new Artist Market working in harmony with the ever-popular Saturday morning Eau Claire Farmers Market in Phoenix Park. Erin and Jamie, of Tangled Up in Hue have participated as artists at the Farmer’s Market downtown ...

Apr. 18, 2012

On Wisconsin Street

former Harmony Corner Café gets new name, location, and menu

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Kathy and Greg Brice, the champions of all things organic and local, are back and bigger then ever. The duo recently launched their new restaurant, Wisconsin Street Café and Bakery, and are already hard at work concocting a new list of ...

Apr. 2, 2012

liveART3

real time art event returns to the State Theatre

Bailey Berg, photos by Jesse Johnson

You can go to any art gallery to see art and listen to jazz music, but how often is it that you get to see the work being created? liveART3 at The State Theatre will consist of a dozen area visual artists, each of whom is allotted an ...

Feb. 8, 2012

SweetheArts (2012 Edition)

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Artists, actors, writers, musicians, dancers, directors. An overabundance of talent and support. An underabundance of time and resources. Volume One investigates the magic that happens when two artists get together.

Jan. 11, 2012

The Art of Air

local man’s air brush covers both cars and canvas

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Some might call it fate. Others may say “right place, right time.” Regardless, the simple act of Luke Johnson cleaning out his high school art room closet proved life-altering, as he discovered an old air compressor and set the course for his ...

Oct. 12, 2011

It Takes Two to Salsa

Haas Brothers’ local chip-and-dips operation

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

“Our goal is to always deliver fresh and quality products that make our customers keep coming back for more.” – Eric Haas on the Haas Brothers chips, salsas, and hummus

Sep. 13, 2011

Memorial Controversy Inspires New Teen Novel

Bailey Berg

Zielin’s new teen novel, titled The Implosion of Aggie Winchester, follows the similar storyline, chronicling the story of a young Goth girl, her mother’s cancer, and her pregnant best friend’s involvement in a homecoming scandal.

Aug. 15, 2011

Menomonie Native Joins the Major Leagues

Bailey Berg

It’s every athlete’s dream to play a professional sport, but rarely does this dream ever become a reality. Recently, local product and UW-Milwaukee player Cole Kraft signed with the Rockland Boulders.

Aug. 1, 2011

The Art Market

monthly venture in Banbury Place to feature local artworks

Bailey Berg

Brightly colored flags lead visitors through Banbury Place to the buildings’ newest addition, The Monthly Market.

Jul. 18, 2011

Chalked Up To Talent

showcasing returning Chalkfest artist Fred Sklenar

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Armed with tubs of brightly colored chalk, utensils, and, in some cases, kneepads, dozens of professional and amateur artists will converge on Wilson Park (between Farwell and Barstow streets in downtown Eau Claire) for the fourth time on August 6.

Jul. 5, 2011

Dunn County to Gain Another Vineyard

Bailey Berg

A lone entrepreneur in Sherman is using his 15-acre plot of land to mark firmly on the map this small town just north of Menomonie.

Jul. 5, 2011

It's Country Jam Time

massive celebration of country music returns to area

Bailey Berg, photos by Hanna Agar

In 1990, Country Jam USA had its modest start in Eau Claire. Now, 21 years later, it’s one of the biggest country music festivals in the nation.

Jun. 9, 2011

Immerse Yourself

Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary’s annual cultural camps

Bailey Berg

Jun. 9, 2011

Book Answers "Why Do I Need to Know This?"

Bailey Berg

Dr. Michael Kolis, an associate professor of education studies at UWEC, has set his sights on answering the question most students ask at some point in their education, “Why do I need to know this?”

May. 26, 2011

Hail the Cab

Eau Claire Bike Cab pedals into business

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The pedicab style of traveling has grown in popularity in recent years, becoming part of the landscape of major-market cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. For weary travelers seeking transportation ...

Apr. 28, 2011

Statewide Battle of the Bands Looms Upon Horizon

Bailey Berg

For those of you familiar with the Chippewa Valley music scene, the Launchpad High School Music Competition will probably sound quite familiar to you. The seventh edition of our local “garage band” competition sponsored by the Wisconsin School Music

Apr. 28, 2011

Ukulele Club

locals find common ground with tiny Hawaiian guitar

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

“We hope to get a few more current rock songs in as well. Def Leppard keeps coming up in discussion, and I’m determined to get some Pink in the mix.” – Stasia Vishnevsky on the kinds of tunes the Ukulele Club jams to

Apr. 14, 2011

A Facelift for the Brickyard

Stout-area disc golf course gets a $30,000 revamp

Bailey Berg

The Brickyard disc golf course at UW-Stout will be getting a face-lift this season with the help of the Stout disc golf team and a $30,000 budget.

Mar. 31, 2011

Sparkly Kari Tarr

Menomonie artist scores Martha Stewart show visit

Bailey Berg, photos by Leah Dunbar

“I’ve always loved glitter, and it was just so gorgeous and sparkly. I always knew I wanted to do something with the glitter, I just didn’t know what that was.” – Artist Kari Tarr

Feb. 17, 2011

The Hills Are to Be Alive at the Mabel Tainter

Bailey Berg

Despite the fact that the original Sound of Music first debuted on Broadway half a century ago, it is still herald as one of the most popular musicals of all time, and lucky for us, it’s coming to the Chippewa Valley.

Feb. 3, 2011

The One Room Gallery

former Downsville schoolhouse transformed into gallery

Bailey Berg, photos by Leah Dunbar

A former Downsville one-room schoolhouse that’s taken on various purposes since the 1950s has gotten its biggest facelift yet – and a new home. Its newest identity is a beautiful showroom for pottery and local craft works. It will also serve ...

Dec. 16, 2010

Winter After Hours 2011

mini winter wonderland returns to Boyd Park in January

Bailey Berg

We’ve all done it. We’ve complained for four months a year about the cold. And the ice. And the bleak darkness. And the misery. But now it’s time to put all that behind us and embrace winter.

Dec. 2, 2010

Art Fair Gathers Local Works for Holiday Sale

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

We get it. Holiday shopping can be hard. How do you get everyone on your list something personal and fun, without breaking the bank?

Dec. 2, 2010

Designing in Harmony

couple’s art creations strive for global impact

Bailey Berg

Nov. 18, 2010

Visual Poetry

artist Andy Ducett weaves together array of imagery

Bailey Berg, photos by Leah Dunbar

You know that saying? The one that goes, “those who cannot do, teach?” Well folks, that is definitely not the case for Andy Ducett.

Nov. 4, 2010

Pop Go the Flowers

local author releases photo book of wildflowers in 3D

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The 3D market is exploding. After the success of Avatar, filmmaking in 3D has practically become the norm. So why not books about flowers?

Oct. 21, 2010

International Flavor

popular International Folk Festival returns to UWEC

Bailey Berg

To anyone who says the Chippewa Valley has no culture, the International Folk Festival, put on by UW-Eau Claire, will prove you wrong. The fair, a free event coordinated by the Center for International Education, is the largest international festival of i

Sep. 23, 2010

Double Your Fall Art Tours

first weekend of October to feature annual exhibitions

Bailey Berg

Imagine a beautiful fall day where you get to lazily motor around through back country roads, taking in the rural farms and fall leaves at their most radiant ...

Sep. 9, 2010

Roll Out the Oktoberfest

Germaniacs flock to Chippewa Falls festival for 8th year

Bailey Berg

It all began with a royal wedding: Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Theresa of Sachsen-Hildburghausen were married in Munich in October of 1810.

Aug. 26, 2010

A Little of This, and a Little of That

Tangled Up in Hue exhibition from artist Cortney Stoner

Bailey Berg

Tangled Up In Hue has earned a reputation for showcasing one of its 82 talented local artists for a month at a time, and in the coming month local artist on the rise Cortney Stoner and her artistic creations take a turn.

Aug. 12, 2010

Married to the Project

Eight Foot Squid now shooting romantic comedy

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

“They have this drunken scheme that they want to get married. But they don’t have their own wedding; they try to infiltrate somebody else’s wedding by jumping onstage just as they’re saying ‘I do.’ ”

Jul. 29, 2010

Chalkfest Profile: Tyler Moen

Chalkfest returns in August with previous award-winner

Bailey Berg, photos by Frank H. Robinson

“I might have an inkling of what I’m going to do, but I don’t grid it out, and then recreate it. I just draw. I feel it out as I go, and just tweak it as needed.” – Tyler Moen’s artistic process for his creations at Chalkfest

Jul. 15, 2010

Comedy of Errors

CVTG’s annual Shakespeare Workshop to cover The Bard’s earlier works

Bailey Berg

As part of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s annual Shakespeare Workshop, area high schoolers will take on one of the playwright’s earliest plays.

Jul. 15, 2010

Double the One-Acts

Menomonie Theater Guild stages duo of short plays

Bailey Berg, photos by Leah Dunbar

In an effort to support local talent, and to help the Menomonie Theater Guild raise scholarship money, a contemporary drama presentation, Divergence, will be preformed at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.

Jun. 17, 2010

'Grass on the Chippewa

first ever festival brings seven bands to Durand

Bailey Berg

This is the first year for Grass on the Chippewa, an event that is looking to follow in the footsteps of the already well-known Blues on the Chippewa (which takes place in August).

Jun. 3, 2010

Eau Claire Triathlon

first-ever local endurance event may become an annual happening

Bailey Berg, photos by Michael Bartsch

On June 13, Eau Claire will host its first sprint distance triathlon. This new event, aptly titled Eau Claire Triathlon.

Jun. 3, 2010

Sweeter than Wine

local man using OAFA to break into art community

Bailey Berg, photos by Andrea Paulseth

“My biggest supplier is Savers. It’s just the best place to look for art supplies.” – Artist David Kristufek

May. 20, 2010

Glimpses | The Donut Man's Heart of Gold

Bailey Berg

Talking about donut men who bring ice cream to the Philippines and the expansion of the Chippewa Falls farmer market