WXPR We Live Up Here

Every July, dozens of fungi experts and novices descend on the Town of Hiles in Forest County.The town of around 450 people has been dubbed the Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Mycological Society because of the diversity of mushrooms that can be found in the area.For WXPR’s We Live Up Here, Katie Thoresen tagged along on this year’s Hiles Mushroom Foray to learn more about what makes this area so unique.

Every year, in Phillips, Wisconsin, members of the community show up in droves for the annual Czech-Slovak Festival.

Loneliness is considered a public health issue.There is growing evidence it is associated with the onset of depression and other common mental health problems.Artists and community members are working to create the “Together Sculpture” as part of a larger effort to combat loneliness in the Rhinelander area.

Forest County Potawatomi Community’s Lee White published a series of children’s books before his passing in 2020.

Ski for Light is an international non-profit that aims to teach visually- and mobility-impaired adults the sport of classic cross-country skiing.The lack of snow made the ski-part of the Ski for Light event in Rhinelander last week a bit hard to pull off.But in true Northwoods fashion, they found a way to make the best of it.

Native Americans have a long tradition of using all parts of animal when they harvest it.In recent history, that’s been limited to deer, beaver, or muskrat.Now that the Forest County Potawatomi Community has brought back bison to its farm, the tradition of processing them has also returned.

Right now, this year’s Capitol Holiday Tree is standing in the Capitol Rotunda waiting for decorations.The tree made its way to Madison from Rhinelander this week.For WXPR’s We Live Up Here, Katie Thoresen shares the story behind the tree and what it took to get it to the Capitol.

Mountain biking has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the Northwoods as trail systems continue to grow.But the sport is still heavily dominated by men.Little Bellas is a national organization that focuses on teaching girls to mountain bike and the life skills that come with it.

A close look at the 2023 Meno Keno Ma Ga Wen Powwow

A group of Korean-Americans are departing Forest County Friday after spending the week learning and sharing with the Forest County Potawatomi Community.The 4th annual cultural exchange gives each group the chance to share parts of their culture while making friends.