1st Place: Obama at Zorn Arena
2nd Place: Menard’s donation to Luther Midelfort
3rd Place: McCain at Altoona Family Restaurant

Zorn Area was full to the brim with waving posters, stomping feet, and screaming people – and no, it wasn’t because the UW-Eau Claire women’s basketball team was beating the pants off UW-La Crosse. Rather, it was because Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama chose a cold day in February to grace Eau Clairians’ presence with a political rally. Almost 4,000 people packed into Zorn to listen to the presidential hopeful speak, and 500 people who couldn’t get in waited outside. Clinging to the coattails of that event is home and garden hotshot – and one of Wisconsin’s richest men – John Menard and his $15 million donation, which he gave to Luther Midelfort over the summer to establish the Menard Center for Emergency Care, a multi-level building that will cover over 900,000 square feet. Last on our list of most memorable happenings is Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s impromptu stop at Altoona Family Restaurant in Altoona in July, when he surprised lunchgoers with a half-hour-long, unplanned, and casual appearance. He greeted people, took photos, and walked out with a to-go meal of fish, chicken wings, and milkshakes. – Emily Thierfelder