Local Features

When the Wolf River reached record levels late in July, the raft and tube rental concessions closed because of concerns for rider safety. But for experienced canoe and kayak paddlers, like Brian Heikenen and Martin Dawson, this was, perhaps, a once in a lifetime experience. Heikenen checks the USGS gauge in Langlade almost daily. “Early on Monday morning this was the highest flow that gauge had ever recorded. It topped out at about 2950 CFS.” Heikenen lives in Madison but spends much of his time

We all have cause to celebrate, thanks to our elected officials in Washington. The Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law, and the Masked Biologist takes a first glimpse at it in this week’s Wildlife Matters.

The 1920s were known as the golden age for the construction of grand, opulent theaters, called “movie palaces.” While most of these epically built theaters have been either shuttered, repurposed, or demolished, one “palace,” the Historic Ironwood Theatre, has not only persevered but still retains its vibrant and elegant charm. When patrons entered the auditorium of the newly opened Ironwood Theatre in 1928, it’s likely that the arched proscenium mural, caught their eye. The skyward-looking mural

World heavyweight boxing is not a sport often associated with the Northwoods. In the earliest years, a few lumberjacks participated in boxing. Some went on to become professionals, but to have the World Heavyweight Champion put on an exhibition bout in Rhinelander would be unheard of. Or would it? Historian Gary Entz has the story.

In this month's installment of Field Notes, Scott Bowe of Kemp Station discusses bees in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

Are you seeing more chipmunks than usual this year? Apparently there have been enough chipmunks to make the news, which caught the attention of the Masked Biologist. It is also the focus of this week’s wildlife matters.

When Joseph and Myrtle Kretz established Kretz Lumber in 1929, it was just a small sawmill. Today the company just south of Antigo is an employee-owned global company that has expanded into other areas including forest management, education, and now a fine craftsman line, which sells directly to small commercial woodworkers along with hobbyists. The roof of an old dairy barn in a sea of metal buildings is the centerpiece of the Kretz Lumber Mill as it has been for over nine decades. The

For over a year, local historian Gary Entz has uncovered why many towns in the Northwoods are named what they are. Some previous installments of A Northwoods Moment in History have included how the towns of Phelps, St. Germain, Sayner, and Lake Tomahawk got their names. In this week’s installment, we hear how the town of Woodboro got its name.

Are you familiar with the goatsucker family of birds? In this week’s Wildlife Matters, the Masked Biologist examines one fairly familiar family member, the fascinating whip-poor-will.

Enjoying a good movie has been a popular pastime in the Northwoods for many decades. Today many film goers take engaging music and dialog for granted. It was not always that way, and the transition from silent to sound films is worth remembering. Historian Gary Entz has the story.