Volume One Contributors

Jun. 10, 2020

Do Something Fishy at Jeremiah’s Bullfrog Fish Farm

James Johonnott, photos by Timothy Mather

Jeremiah’s Bullfrog Fish Farm in Menomonie is a favorite local fishing attraction and a great place to get your angling fix this ...

Dec. 9, 2019

Holly Jolly Hollywood Winter

annual WinterDaze parade will light up Menomonie

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

Downtown Menomonie will light up Thursday, Dec. 12, for its 16th annual WinterDaze event. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present and ready to meet their adoring young fans starting at 4pm in the ...

Aug. 22, 2019

Wakanda Water Park Hosts Annual Dog Swim

Danielle Zinsli, photos by Timothy Mather

For the 10th summer in a row, dogs are invited to close out the swimming season at the Wakanda Water Park in Menomonie. About 80 to 100 dogs and their humans are expected to turn out for the event ...

Jul. 30, 2019

Menomonie Airfest & Autorama Takes Flight August 3

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

People of all ages will be amazed and amused by performers, activities, food, drink, and more at the Menomonie Airfest & Autorama Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Menomonie Municipal Airport. The fun ...

Jul. 25, 2019

Is There Intelligent Life out There?

YOLUS: Aliens on Artok hits Menomonie stage

Rebecca Mennecke, photos by Timothy Mather

Since we first looked to the stars, folks around the globe have wondered if there’s life outside our own planet. Patrick Pesek-Herriges’ new musical, YOLUS: Aliens on Artok, grapples with the idea that life on another ...

Jun. 12, 2019

PHOTO FEATURE: 24 hours. Six photographers. One day of life in the Chippewa Valley.

photos by Andrea Paulseth, Branden Nall, Luong Huynh, Taylor Smith, Timothy Mather, Lee Butterworth

On Friday, May 31, we sent a team of photographers out into the many nooks and crannies of the Chippewa Valley to document one full day – from midnight to midnight – with help from our friends at CoLab. Through snapshots of local life, we hope this feature communicates the people and places of this area ...

Apr. 17, 2019

Subscribe and Thrive: 5 local subscription services

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather, Andrea Paulseth

Subscription services are all the rage, with national companies providing everything from movies and music to munchies and makeup for a monthly charge. But if you look a little closer to home ...

Apr. 4, 2019

Massive Music

Menomonie Singers take on Handel’s masterpiece

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

Hallelujah! It’s polyphonic, it’s melismatic, it’s jubilant and ecstatic: It’s Handel’s Messiah. The Menomonie Singers are in the final stretch of preparation for their spring concerts, during ...

Mar. 21, 2019

A Place for Words: Spoken word event planned for Mabel Tainter

Danielle Zinsli, photos by Timothy Mather

Prose, poetry, comedy, and short stories: These are all among the acts audience members will find at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie on Sunday ...

Mar. 8, 2019

The Business of Satire

Menomonie Theater Guild takes on workplace comedy

Rebecca Mennecke, photos by Timothy Mather

Follow the story of J. Pierrepont Finch as he faces the perils of being a company man in the Menomonie Theater Guild’s performance of How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying this weekend ...

Jan. 23, 2019

Strength Rings True: Menomonie jeweler follows principles to finished pieces

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

Robert Giede wears two rings when he isn’t at his work bench. On his right hand ring finger is a rust-red and orange fire agate nearly the size of his fingernail, mounted adjacent to a small white diamond on a yellow gold band ...

Dec. 27, 2018

Fresh Film Festival: Historic theaters, walkability will enhance Red Cedar Film Festival

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

The inaugural Red Cedar Film Festival will bring filmmakers and movie-lovers from near and far to Menomonie this July. Artists will compete for honors in several film categories, guest directors will screen their works ...

Dec. 13, 2018

Wintry Fun in Dunn

Winterdaze presents ‘Up North Christmas, Eh?’

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

Downtown Menomonie Inc. will host the 15th annual Winterdaze Parade Dec. 16. It all starts at 4pm with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will provide a photo opportunity for families. Small farm ...

Nov. 29, 2018

Finished Fermenting: Zymurgy Brewing Opens in Menomonie

Tori Johnson, photos by Timothy Mather

A new microbrewery in Menomonie will host its grand opening celebration on Dec. 1. Zymurgy will add flavor and passion to our community with a party for all (21 and over, of course) ...

Nov. 28, 2018

Flowers Done Green

local flower shop keeps it unexpected & seasonal

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

September, as autumn settles into Menomonie, might seem like an odd time to open a shop that deals in flowers, but in the case of Sarah Lambert Freeman’s Hive & Hollow, it’s the perfect chance to show locals what makes her floral services unique in the Valley ...

Nov. 14, 2018

Menomonie Spot Sobers Up, Reopens as 18+ Club

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

After a four-month closure beginning in the spring, Rehab (631 Broadway St. S), formerly a bar in downtown Menomonie, reopened at the beginning of October as an 18-plus club.

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 ...

Aug. 22, 2018

12 Unmissable Annual Menomonie Events

save the date for these big community happenings

V1 Staff, photos by Timothy Mather

As cities go, Menomonie may be relatively small, but it boasts an annual calendar filled with big events for residents and visitors alike.

Aug. 22, 2018

Stepping on the Stage

New Mabel Tainter director is already in love

Tom Giffey, photos by Timothy Mather

After eight weeks on the job, Jeff McSweeney is still in awe of his new workplace. Considering that workplace is the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie – a historically designated, internationally recognized gem – the feeling might not change anytime soon ...

Aug. 22, 2018

Keep On Reading On: Menomonie Public Library educates public, introduces news-related events

Menomonie Public Library educates public, introduces news-related events

Emilee Wentland, photos by Timothy Mather

Libraries have been keeping the general public informed since their dawn in the 17th century.

Aug. 9, 2018

FEATURE: The Life and Death and Life of the State Theatre

Once a shuttered movie palace, the State Theatre became a beloved arts center and a key element of Eau Claire's artistic renaissance.

Tom Giffey, design by Eric Christenson, photos by Andrea Paulseth, Luong Huynh, Lee Butterworth, Timothy Mather, Caitlyn Berlin, Brandon Jenness, Frank H. Robinson, Kelsey Smith

Aug. 2, 2018

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Airfest & Autorama showcases air and land speedsters

Julia van Allen, photos by Timothy Mather

Fly high on Aug. 4 at the Sixth Annual Menomonie Airfest and Autorama. This event is a full day of planes and cars that will entertain kids and adults alike. This year’s excitement will feature a two-hour acrobatic airplane show ...

Jun. 14, 2018

Elk Mound Spot Specializes in Cajun-Style Seafood

Tom Giffey, photos by Timothy Mather

When sisters Kay Vang and Yang Xiong decided to open a restaurant, they wanted to start something different. They found what they were looking for at the bottom of the sea – and deep in the bayou ...

May. 18, 2018

Carpe Capra: Goat yoga is deeper than just doing yoga with goats

Emilee Wentland, photos by Timothy Mather

Yoga is a calming act practiced by many to achieve serenity and peace. Sitting on mats with their bodies contorted in various positions, yogis surround themselves with silence, letting out an occasional ...

Dec. 29, 2017

Opening Shot | Dec. 27, 2017

photos by Timothy Mather

SNOWBODY GETS IN OUR WAY. The 14th Annual WinterDaze Parade paraded through historic downtown Menomonie on the night of December 14, culminating in a winter fireworks show over Lake Menomin.

Oct. 31, 2017

In the Mood: Menomonie boutique offers style … and coffee

Haley Wright, photos by Timothy Mather

A new boutique, Mood, has arrived in downtown Menomonie, offering women’s fashion celebrating women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. The venue features chic accessories, shoes, home décor, gifts ...

Oct. 18, 2017

Menomonie Theater Guild Stages Play With Two Cast Members From 1992 Production

Lauren Fisher, photos by Timothy Mather

In 1992, Bob Colson performed in the Menomonie Theater Guild’s production of The Foreigner, an award-winning 1983 comedy that addresses racism, bigotry, and xenophobia ...

Jul. 12, 2017

Jeremiah Got the Bullfrog

Menomonie’s Bullfrog Fish Farm finds new owners

Haley Wright, photos by Timothy Mather

Bullfrog Fish Farm, a Chippewa Valley family favorite destination for fishing and foodstuff on the outskirts of Menomonie, has changed hands after being owned and operated by its “soul proprietor” Herby Radmann ...

Jun. 28, 2017

Opening Shot | June 28, 2017

photos by Timothy Mather

THE TRAILS ARE A LITTLE WET TODAY. Menomonie’s Wakanda Park Beach hosted the Lake Menomin WaterX June 24 and 25. The event saw drag races and oval races where competitors flew across the water on snowmobiles. Racers must go at least 30mph to stay afloat, but often reach 70 to 80mph.

May. 3, 2017

Sweat and Sawdust: The Menomonie woodworkers behind high-profile projects in the Valley

Eric Christenson, photos by Timothy Mather, Christopher Bartlett

Aaron Wallace ended up in Menomonie when he was 20 years old – “for a girl,” he sheepishly told me, “while I was logging with my dad.” Wallace comes from a whole line of loggers – his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all lumbermen. So you could say he’s got a natural connection to wood ...

Apr. 20, 2017

Murder and Mystery in Menomonie

Agatha Christie classic The Mousetrap sets trap for theatergoers

Hannah Mumm, photos by Timothy Mather

London’s longest running play is coming to the Chippewa Valley. Beginning April 28, the Menomonie Theater Guild will stage a production of The Mousetrap, a fast-paced thriller based on an Agatha Christie short story ...

Mar. 21, 2017

En Plein Air: Menomonie artist displays rural life in V1 Gallery

Hannah Mumm, photos by Timothy Mather

Marc Anderson will not be confined. The Wisconsin born-and-bred artist stays true to his outdoorsy roots, preferring to paint his natural landscapes in nature, or – as the French (and Marc) say ...

Jan. 11, 2017

Getting out of the Burrow

why we should fight the urge to withdraw during the Chippewa Valley’s cold season

Katie Venit, photos by Timothy Mather

I become more introverted in the winter. Something about the cold makes me want to badger up in a burrow until the sun comes back. Which was fine for Wisconsin’s early miners and, you know ...