🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you the difference between a RESTROOM and a REST ROOM🚺💆‍♀️

Cindy Goll from the GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club came into the library to tell us about the Oneida County Rest Room for Women that existed for more than 60 years. It may not have been what you think!

Follow the Rhinelander Woman’s Club on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/GFWCRhinelanderWomansClub/

Also follow the Rhinelander District Library

https://www.facebook.com/RhinelanderLibrary

And If These Woods Could Talk

https://www.facebook.com/IfTheseWoodsCouldTalk

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might ride the pine and keep on cheering.🌲🏀We’re extending our range a bit for today’s storyteller. We spoke with Thomas L. Pelissero of Bessemer, Michigan, author of the new book “Bring One Home: A Memoir of Boyhood, Basketball, and Hometown Spirit.” The book juxtaposes the decline of Bessemer’s mining industry in the 1960s with their high school basketball team’s years-long losing streak. It’s a compelling concept, and the book is filled with far more stories from Bessemer’s heyday than could reasonably fit in an episode.The book’s release party will be Saturday, November 1 at the Bessemer City Hall auditorium.https://www.thomaslpelissero.com/

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you a whole bunch of stories–and like, at the drop of a hat, too, and just go and go because they love it and because they can.🌲🪚“Tales of the Northwoods: Echoes From Rhinelander’s Past” is the title of two volumes of lore collected and published in 2002 and 2004. After 21 years of living life, author Mark Miazga has brought us a third collection of stories. He stopped by the library recently to talk about storytelling, his background, and some of his outlook on life and what really matters in history.“Tales of the Northwoods Vol. 3” will be released on September 19, 2025, and will soon be available at the Hodag Store and online at hodagpress.com.

You are listening to If These Woods Could Talk, produced by the Rhinelander District Library. 

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might ask, "...what's a cow pass?"🌲🐮

Last month I got to go to the Demmer Memorial Library in Three Lakes to participate in their history digitization day. While I was there, I wrangled a few stories out of lifelong Three Lakes resident Bruce Brewster, and learned what a “Cow Pass” is. Now, aren’t you curious, too?

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might tell you to eat more kale.🌳

The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry was ahead of its time with the addition of its own garden to contribute to their selection of fresh produce. The garden was the focus of this roundtable conversation, as well as how much they all love being a part of this organization.

Follow the link below to learn more about RAFP's initiatives, current events, and how to donate or get involved.https://www.rhinelanderareafoodpantry.org/

The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry was a concept in 2004, and in early 2005 it became a reality.

As they prepare to celebrate their 20th Birthday in style, Executive Director Courtney Smith invited These Woods to come hear the history of the food pantry as told by the volunteers who made it what it is today with their blood, sweat, and tears.

Thank you to all the volunteers who came to share their recollections.

From RAFP:

In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we are having an Open House Party! You are invited to come take a look behind the scenes and meet the folks at the heart of our work. Come by for tacos, cupcakes, live music, prizes, and tours.

Be sure to enter to win The Legendary Raffle - the perfect Green Bay get-away!

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might tell you about a damp engineer and a missing hat. 🌳🎩

reached out and asked if I had or could direct them to information about the Hat Rapids Dam. I did some digging and went through a handful of Wisconsin River-related books here at the library, but it turns out there is little in the way of printed scholarship on this particular dam. Instead, I called a Wisconsin River expert who came in to share what he knew. So here is our first return guest, Bob Martini.

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might tell you about a spider so big, it made Jaws look like a goldfish.🕷️🌲

I went up to the Superior shore to talk with legendary Wisconsin filmmaker Bill Rebane about his life making independent science fiction movies in Northern Wisconsin, his film studio, and what he fondly–or not–refers to as the “Giant Spider Disaster.”

He is definitely an interesting guy. He will be in Rhinelander this Friday, May 16 2025 for a showing of his film, "Attack of the Hodag!," as well as a Q&A. 

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might have more to say about Rhinelander history than Frederick Fisher. Though that’s not certain.🎣🌲

He's an almost-lifelong resident of the area who you will know if you are part of the “You grew up in Rhinelander WI if you remember…” facebook page.

Mister Fisher came to the library with a bin full of old photos and papers, as well as a number of pieces of memorabilia he has collected–trinkets related to the city or certain businesses. Without anything in particular to discuss, we just sort of talked about his items and followed the conversation. We will pick up the conversation when I asked him about an ornate dinner plate that is inscribed with the words “compliments of Chas. Pautz, Groceries, Rhinelander, Wis.”

Follow us or subscribe on facebook, instagram, youtube, and most places where you get podcasts.

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might whisper among themselves, and then hiss and throw popcorn at you if you’re too loud🍿🌲More than 70 years ago, Three Lakes resort owners decided that a movie theater was needed in the area. The Three Lakes Theater was the result. Designed by notable architect and baseball player Cy Williams, it was funded by the sale of stock to residents.The building has had a number of owners and purposes. However, the community theater had a revival beginning in the mid-aughts. I spoke with Gay Scheffen, one of the people who spearheaded what would become the Three Lakes Center for the Arts, about the new history of the building.Side note: as there is always something to be repaired or improved, there were some folks in and out of the building working on lights or a fan or something. Please forgive some background noise throughout. I think it is mostly negligible.