Volume One Contributors

Apr. 17, 2019

Indigenous Performance Group to Headline at Pablo Center

Cassandra Kyser

Last year, Iron Boy’s performance at Eaux Claires was a rare indigenous presence at a mainstream festival. If you missed Iron Boy then, don’t worry: They’re coming back to town in May ...

Feb. 25, 2019

Author Mike Perry Seeks Father-Daughter Tales

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Michael Perry is working on a new book about the relationship between fathers and daughters, and he wants to hear from you. “Fathers, if you could share one bit of advice with your daughters ...

Jan. 10, 2019

New Year, New Reading List

Cassandra Kyser

The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is making sure patrons don’t get stuck in a reading rut this year. The library is running a yearlong Diversity Challenge to encourage adult readers to broaden their ...

Nov. 14, 2018

Giving Thanks

aunt/niece duo team up for children’s book

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Two years ago, on the day after Thanksgiving, Vivian Riley paused to reflect on her life and all the things she was grateful for.

Oct. 18, 2018

Fifteen and Change: Young adult novel in verse tackles fair wages

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Writing under the pen name Max Howard, Emily Anderson of Eau Claire released a novel in verse, Fifteen and Change, on Oct. 1. Published by West 44 Books, the novel is part of a “hi-lo” book series: high ...

Sep. 19, 2018

The Stuff of Life

Taylor tackles Poetry Sex Love Music Booze & Death

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

As a professor emeritus of English and former poet laureate of the City of Eau Claire, Bruce Taylor is no stranger to the Chippewa Valley’s literary scene.

Sep. 7, 2018

FEATURE: Digging Up the Valley

unearthing local history, one outhouse at a time

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Timothy Mather

Mark Youngblood stood in a hole almost as deep as he is tall. His blue eyes, which sparkled with excitement, were just visible above the ground level. “Can you get me a screwdriver?” Youngblood shouted up to his friend ...

Jul. 24, 2018

Northwoods Rock Rally: ‘Party or Stay Home’

Cassandra Kyser

If Buckcherry, P.O.D., Lit, and Alien Ant Farm sound like your dream mixed tape from the ’90s, you’re in luck. They are just a few of the bands that will be playing at this year’s Northwoods Rock Rally Aug. 16-19 in Glen Flora ...

Jun. 27, 2018

Keeping Home Energy Costs Down: Saving Energy Means Saving Money

Cassandra Kyser

Whether you are a renter or a homeowner, there are easy ways for you to save money and be a little kinder to the planet in the process. I talked with Jolene Neisius, marketing and member services representative ...

Apr. 18, 2018

Sweet Dreams Are Made of Books

Chippewa Valley author dreams up novels – literally

Cassandra Kyser

“My dreams make my novels,” Chippewa Valley author Jodie Swanson explained. “Illness was a 40 minute dream, and I took two years to write it out,” she said. So far, she has written an impressive ...

Apr. 5, 2018

Grammys and Curds: Elk Mound native sings in Grammy-winning opera

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Jamie Schultz Photography

In the days following Sept. 11, 2001, members of Elk Mound’s high school choir were dining out. The restaurant was unusually quiet as patrons watched the news unfold on TV. A spur-of-the-moment decision led to ...

Mar. 12, 2018

A Model Story: Eau Claire native publishes debut novel

Cassandra Kyser

When T.K. Ambers was a student at Eau Claire’s North High, she spent every free moment she had writing, ducking into empty classrooms or the lunchroom to jot down a few words ...

Jan. 26, 2018

Literary Sister Act: Sibling duo publishes YA sci-fi novel

Cassandra Kyser

A lot has changed in young adult literature over the last decade, and no one is more aware of that than Caroline Akervik and Ruth Rankin. The two sisters just published Halcyon, which was first ...

Jan. 25, 2018

She Has Talent in Store

9-year-old brings her unique artwork to market

Cassandra Kyser

At 9 years old, Presleigh Olson-Buehler is already an accomplished artist and entrepreneur. She recently started selling her artwork at Tangled Up in Hue in downtown Eau Claire, and so far, she is the youngest artist to do so ...

Dec. 29, 2017

Grandma’s Coffee Pot

a story of family, loss, and how we grow up without even realizing it

Cassandra Kyser

love coffee, so it’s easy for me to forget that I used to abhor the stuff. I started drinking it in my early 20s, as a way to cope with being a night owl in an early bird’s world. I had previously worked ...

Dec. 26, 2017

A Room With a Book: “Emily” explores love in many forms

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The Hideaway Resort in Chippewa Falls has been in Matt Elstran’s family for three generations. His grandparents opened the resort in the early 1950s. Growing up, he spent time there with his cousins ...

Dec. 12, 2017

Red Letter Roundup

up-and-coming women-owned businesses

Cassandra Kyser

Twice a year, the Red Letter Grant is awarded to female entrepreneurs right here in the Chippewa Valley. Becca Cooke, owner of Red’s Mercantile, 224 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire, started the grant to encourage women to pursue ...

Oct. 18, 2017

Leaving a Living Legacy

tips on sharing stories and skills gathered over the course of a lifetime

Cassandra Kyser

As we age, it is normal to become reflective. As humans, we have a need to know that our lives made an impact on those who will come after us. We want to know that we will be remembered, and that our legacy will live on.

Oct. 5, 2017

Reading to a Baby Adds Up

sharing 1,000 books before kindergarten encourages future literacy

Cassandra Kyser

Your baby may not be old enough for their own library card, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy books. Everyone is welcome at your local public library ...

Oct. 4, 2017

Choosing Home Birth

some women discover that delivering at home is an empowering option

Cassandra Kyser

Parenthood is full of decisions that must be made. Today, parents have several choices as to where they will deliver their babies, and what skilled care providers ...

Oct. 3, 2017

Lending a Hand to Help a Paw

Hillary Bell, Cassandra Kyser

Many organizations throughout the community donate food and money to feed people in need of a helping hand. What many donors don’t realize is that these people frequently have pets ...

Sep. 20, 2017

Who Will Be My Friend?

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

Cassandra Kyser, photos by Andrea Paulseth

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?