Gospel choir resurrects popular musical for spring tour (2010/03/12)
The music for the Coulee Region Gospel Choir’s spring worship season will be familiar — and beloved — by many of the group’s fans.

Keeping good company: Violinist Randy Sabien bringing some great musicians to Heider (2010/03/12)
Jazz violinist Randy Sabien is known for his musical eclecticism. Those who’ve seen Sabien before at the Heider Center in West Salem know that he’s as likely to play blues, country, swing and rock ’n’ roll as he is to play jazz — and that he’ll play all of those styles well.

Paxico plans party for debut CD (2010/03/12)
The La Crosse area band Paxico will celebrate the release of the band’s first full-length CD, “Willing the Winter Away,” with a CD release party from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 27, at the Arterial in La Crosse.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: As river ice retreats, life is moving back in (2010/03/12)
A river covered by ice and snow looks as peaceful as a white pillowy meadow in the middle of winter — even the mighty Mississippi. But with the return of longer days and more direct radiation from the sun in late February and March, the ice breaks up and begins to surge downstream.

LIBRARY NOTES: Life and landlord lessons come from Monopoly and the library (2010/03/12)
As a child I would often play Monopoly with my brother, Gary, who was apparently born with the same real estate DNA as Donald Trump and ALWAYS beat me. I’d be sitting there with my measly Baltic Avenue and he’d be owning all the utilities, railroads and high end properties, each with an intimidating red hotel.

ALONG THE TRAIL: Signs of spring can be seen on the wing (2010/03/12)
Have you heard all the local weathermen talking about our near-record string of days during which our temperature has not made it up to 40 degrees? And I mean along the La Crosse River Trail and in all the neighborhoods in our vicinity.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: The Red Brush Gang takes a winter vacation (2010/03/12)
Hello, friends. This past weekend I headed northeast to Florence County with my 9-year-old daughter, Selina, and 12 members of our hunting camp for a weekend of ice fishing and winter camping on the Pine River Flowage.

Chordsmen show to feature music from 1960s, ’70s (2010/03/09)
When the Coulee Chordsmen hold their 64th annual show at the Heider Center on March 13, there just might be more of a “Sweet Caroline” vibe than a “Sweet Adeline” vibe.

Irish rhythms coming to Heider Center stage (2010/03/09)
Jigs and reels — and plenty of other Irish dances — will be on display Sunday, March 7, when Flanagan’s Irish Dancers perform as part of the Marie W. Heider Center’s Family Series.

Teachers find help at Hwy. 108 store (2010/03/09)
Some people might have driven past it for years taking in the scenery and not noticing it. For others, it’s a regular place to stop for the unexpected. But for teachers, it’s a must-see place.

Standup guy: OHS grad gets Comedy Central show, releases debut CD (2010/03/09)
In comedy, timing is everything. It’s clear that comedian Shane Mauss has learned that lesson well, judging from the roller-coaster joke that kicks off his soon-to-be-released debut CD, “Jokes to Make My Parents Proud.” His timing in booking a spot on “The Tonight Show” is another matter.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Winter sleepers venture forth (2010/03/09)
The combination of longer periods of daylight and the sunlight hitting our part of the Earth from a higher angle in the sky each day is stirring some of our winter sleepers that don’t really hibernate — that is they don’t shut down their metabolism quite as completely as the true hibernators. They often stay snuggled in a tree cavity or other shelter and sleep away much of the winter rather than stay active and feed like deer, squirrels, voles, mink and coyotes.

LIBRARY NOTES: Book gives a vivid look at Victorian life (2010/03/09)
In much historical fiction, the main protagonist is either from the upper class or is a poor relative subsisting on the largess of a more well-to-do member of the family. Sometimes our hero is poor but manages to bring himself or herself up in the world. Either way, you don’t encounter much of the everyday life of Victorian times.

ALONG THE TRAIL: Old tales are still relevent today (2010/03/09)
It’s about time for another reverie from the vicinity of the La Crosse River Trail. A dream session dealing with a few bits of information on how our area came to be the way it is today.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: Fishing guide puts in long days on the job (2010/03/09)
Hello, friends.This past week I spent a day observing multi-species hunting and fishing guide Kurt Weinland Jr. of Clintonville as he guided a group of four fishermen who were from northwest Indiana. The theme of this week’s column is the long days that a fishing guide can put in and that fish are not always cooperative.

Student garners national standing in Pony of Americas (2010/03/01)
Erik Blomquist of Onalaska has spent the last year of his eligibility competing in the Pony of the Americas circuit on a winning streak.

Hints of spring in the air (2010/03/01)
With the wild turkeys coming out in the open to feed lately, I am reminded of how many turkeys now live in the area and throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Every flower has a story (2010/03/01)
Today, as I commit these words to the screen of my computer, is a rather mild day for the middle of February. The date is the seventeenth, actually, and the afternoon temperature must be in the 30s. I can’t tell for sure, for I have no working thermometer outside just now. Meltwater drips off my roof from every bottom roof edge, though. And the sky is covered with gray clouds, not too high above the La Crosse River Trail.

Take the time to teach our children (2010/03/01)
Hello friends, I have to apologize to you for not putting any time in the field for this week’s column.

Gretchen’s Grub: Hearty Hamburger Vegetable Soup (2010/03/01)
We are all eager for warmer weather and more sunshine. But when I checked the weather report for the next week, it forecast cold and more cold with a chance of snow. While that makes my husband happy because it prolongs the ski season, I prefer a warmer outlook.

Dog lovers to the rescue (2010/02/18)
Jack and Lise Hedstrom came all the way from Decorah, Iowa, to the Onalaska Petco store Saturday to adopt Selena, a 1-year-old golden retriever from Rehome a Dog, a local nonprofit group whose members are foster parents for surrendered dogs of any breed.

If you’d like to make a call ... get yourself a phone (2010/02/18)
The era of pay phones on every street corner in America is ending. With cell phones in the pockets of almost every teen and adult, payphones are becoming too costly to maintain with the dwindling amount of money being deposited.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Voles play big role in predators’ winter diet (2010/02/18)
With all the red-tailed hawks hunting for prey on Goose Island this winter, I wasn’t too surprised to finally see one actually dive for something a couple weeks ago. That day, I missed the kill because the hawk swooped behind a tree and landed in the snow. Last week, though, I got really lucky when an immature red-tailed hawk actually caught a vole right in front of me.

LIBRARY NOTES: Suzanne Collins always a safe bet for great reads (2010/02/18)
A few years ago, I wrote an article about a children’s novel series by Suzanne Collins called “The Underland Chronicles.” I brought the first book home in a failed attempt to interest my children. None of them were willing to read a book with CN (children’s novel) on the spine — too lowering. I read the series and enjoyed it a great deal, so I wrote an article about it.

ALONG THE TRAIL: Imports can be trouble (2010/02/18)
Every once in a while, I read something in a newspaper that pertains in some way to one of my myriad interests. Sometimes I’m prompted to make a comment on what has been said. I have just had such an experience over something that was penned by my long-time friend Dave Skoloda in his column last week in this newspaper.

OUTDOOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: Ice camp on the Trempealeau river bottoms (2010/02/18)
Hello, friends. This week I am writing about my return trip to my camp site on the river bottoms of the Mississippi River near Trempealeau.

Dallas Brass bringing sound as big as Texas to Heider Center (2010/02/17)
Looking for a way to liven up the start of your week? How about a musical journey through American history with five talented and outgoing horn players and a master percussionist? That’s the lively program scheduled for next Monday when the Dallas Brass visits the Marie W. Heider Center.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Kids can learn to love the great outdoors (2010/02/17)
For the past couple decades or more, experts have warned us that television, computers, video games and other electronic gadgets can seriously distract our children from the benefits of the outdoor world. Add to that their schoolwork, after-school sports and social events and you can see how little time is left for such pursuits. As both a parent and a former teacher, I have observed this trend even here in the Coulee Region, where opportunities for outdoor activities abound.

LIBRARY NOTES: County libraries had a very good 2009 (2010/02/17)
I was thinking I’d take this opportunity to toot our own horn at the La Crosse County Library. I had every intention to take all kinds of credit for a fabulous 2009 at our locations in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska and West Salem, but as I finish up our annual report to the state Department of Public Instruction, I realize it’s our users who deserve all the kudos and credit.

Logan songfest attracts strong showing of choirs (2010/02/17)
The La Crosse Logan High School Showcase 2010 will bring together all of the La Crosse area show choirs again to one competition this weekend.

ALONG THE TRAIL: Before the trail, there was a railroad (2010/02/17)
In the beginning there was a railroad. It was called The Milwaukee to La Crosse Railroad. It brought freight from the east and immigrants from Europe to the Mississippi River.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: Ice camping on the Mississippi River is cool (2010/02/17)
Hello, friends. Ever since I was a very young boy I have been having a fantastic dream. In my dream, which I can seriously say I have had for over 40 years, I am ice fishing year round with tip-ups.

Searching for Miss America: Las Vegas odyssey an education in ups, downs of pageantry (2010/02/10)
Even now, having returned to real life, I can’t get the song out of my head. “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas — with its “tonight’s going to be a good night” refrain — kicked off the four Miss America events I attended last week in Las Vegas.

Hearts and Hammers pitch in for Haiti (2010/02/10)
Many hands working with one heart collected and assembled more than 450 tents for people left homeless by the earthquake that shook Haiti on Jan. 12.

New Bangor board member takes long view (2010/02/10)
Jeff Radtke, the newest member of the Bangor Village Board, had about five seconds to acclimate himself to being a board member. As a prospective candidate for office in the April elections, Radtke attended the Jan. 12 meeting and was sitting in the audience when he was nominated to fill out the remainder of Greg Peterson’s term, which expires in April 2011. The spot was vacated that same meeting when Peterson was voted board president in the wake of Rob Gjertsen’s death.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Mining the river valley for golden eagles (2010/02/10)
Last week I achieved two goals I’ve had for quite awhile and both involved eagles. I had long hoped to see a golden eagle in the wild, and last weekend I had the chance to look for some in a part of Wisconsin where some visit every winter. Though I didn’t see any flying around that day, I did get to see one close up at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn.

LIBRARY NOTES: Library plays big role in book’s inspiring story (2010/02/10)
William Kamkwamba lives in a small farming village in Malawi, a country in the south east part of Africa. People in his village called him “misala,” which means crazy, but after reading his story you can see that he is anything but crazy. “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer is a true story of inspiration, perseverance and faith.

ALONG THE TRAIL: Windy winter walks weigh on memory (2010/02/10)
The unmistakably wintry weather that has settled over the La Crosse River Trail lately has brought with it a few memories of similar situations from years gone by. In my own case it’s largely concerned with walking against the wind. If I do say so myself, this is one activity with which I have had my share of experience. It started with walking to school.

Eagle River offers ice fishing fun, despite ‘cold spell’ (2010/02/10)
Hello, friends. Once again I have returned from another really fun trip. This past week I headed north with my stepsons, Joey and Travis Dushek, who are 16 and 18.

Works of longtime West Salem artist featured at Heider (2010/02/03)
Jean Donohoe has been painting for a long time, but up to now she has never had a show of her own. That’s about to change, though, as she will be the featured artist for February in this season’s Visual Arts Series at the Marie W. Heider Art Center.

Musician promises songs and laughter (2010/02/03)
Children’s entertainer Tom Pease is fascinated by the power of song.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Tracks in snow can tell dramatic stories (2010/02/03)
Warmer weather, a sunny day and good lighting drew me out to the Mississippi River a couple weeks ago to look for signs of life left on the surface of the snow. The week-old snow held many animal tracks that told stories of everyday life as well as the struggle for life and death in the wild.

LIBRARY NOTES: Book is an inspiration to clear the clutter (2010/02/03)
Gail Blanke has written a book that has me on a clutter control roll. Fueling the urge to purge is the essence of her most recent book, “Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life.”

ALONG THE TRAIL: There’s a storied past for wolf dogs (2010/02/03)
A subject I didn’t expect to hear about in our neighborhood has made the news along the La Crosse River Trail. It has come to light very recently, apparently in answer to a proposed change in one of our laws.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: Fight against chronic wasting disease takes flight (2010/02/03)
Hello, friends. This week I flew recon with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and had a very interesting day as well as learned a lot. I flew aboard a Cessna 185 Skywagon with Bill Ishmael, who is the area wildlife supervisor for six southwestern Wisconsin counties, and Meg Zeigler, who is wildlife technician with the DNR.

Smaby Nation: Loud and proud for Miss Wisconsin (2010/01/25)
People watching the Miss America Pageant on television at home this year won’t need to be paying much attention to know when Miss Wisconsin Kristina Smaby takes the stage. They’ll know it’s Smaby time because the “Smaby Nation” will be in the audience in Las Vegas roaring its support.

New ‘barn dance band’ to debut at folk fest event (2010/01/25)
Two string bands will be playing at the Great River Folk Festival’s annual Midwinter Dance next weekend. For multi-instrumentalist Tracy Ebmeyer, it’s going to be a family affair.

Weight loss challenge will earn a ‘loser’ some money (2010/01/25)
Kathryn Soto first got involved with weight loss programs because she needed to lose weight herself. Now, that she’s a personal wellness coach she’d like to share what she’s learned to help others lose those extra pounds sensibly.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Tough winters impact pheasants, turkeys (2010/01/25)
The bitter cold and snow-packed roads limited my exploration of the area this winter, so I haven’t seen as many turkeys or ring-necked pheasants as usual.

LIBRARY NOTES: Book program offers prizes for grownups (2010/01/25)
Granted, it’s hard to deny the beauty of a snowfall or the wonder of the morning frost on the trees. It’s even contagious to watch the fun that small children have playing in the snow or the adrenalin rush speeding down a sledding hill. But with no sign of spring in sight, the magic of winter is already getting old and the winter blahs seem to be trying to set-in.

ALONG THE TRAIL: Memory takes off with nice weather (2010/01/25)
After a series of unpleasantly chilly days, the midsection of January 2010 has been showing us a somewhat softer side of this winter’s nature. Though it was gray this morning, before midday the sun was out, and some of the best that January has to offer prevailed in the form of gorgeous sunshine. Along the La Crosse River Trail such days as this one are prone to cause the memory banks to overflow. Today was no exception.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: Pegging the fun meter ice fishing on Big Chetac (2010/01/25)
Hello, friends. Last weekend everything went perfectly in the life and times of Mark Walters. Please keep reading for details of a really fun fishing trip.

Smaby Nation: Loud and proud for Miss Wisconsin (2010/01/22)
People watching the Miss America Pageant on television at home this year won’t need to be paying much attention to know when Miss Wisconsin Kristina Smaby takes the stage. They’ll know it’s Smaby time because the “Smaby Nation” will be in the audience in Las Vegas roaring its support.

Smaby Nation: Loud and proud for Miss Wisconsin (2010/01/21)
People watching the Miss America Pageant on television at home this year won’t need to be paying much attention to know when Miss Wisconsin Kristina Smaby takes the stage. They’ll know it’s Smaby time because the “Smaby Nation” will be in the audience in Las Vegas roaring its support.

Area troops’ safe return a relief to many (2010/01/20)
When area troops were deployed to Iraq last year, some loved ones left at home found a way to show their support by making their own sacrifices.

Miss America was eye opener for ’84 contestant (2010/01/20)
Looking back on her night in the national limelight as a Miss America contestant in 1984, Barb Hegenbarth remembers being a little surprised at the scope of everything. And she remembers praying hard on the night of the pageant that she wouldn’t hear her name.

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Wild birds like — and need — quality foods (2010/01/20)
Last weekend the Mississippi River still had a good-sized area of open water by Riverside Park in La Crosse. Both the mallards and the bald eagles were still taking advantage of the opportunity and a few trumpeter swans dropped in Sunday to join them.

Operation Homefront gears up for cook-off (2010/01/20)
It might be just coincidence, but the timing of the fifth annual Operation Homefront Harley-Davidson Chili Cook-off on Jan. 30 couldn’t have been planned any better.

LIBRARY NOTES: Book explores friendship bonds (2010/01/20)
Much has been written about women and friendship, but the true story of 11 ordinary women from Ames, Iowa, who built an extraordinary lifelong friendship is where it gets interesting.

ALONG THE TRAIL: An old friend from my youth is missing (2010/01/20)
For years I’ve been blaming it on living within the civilized confines of a small village. Fairly recently I’ve heard that it’s all the fault of an imported disease: West Nile Virus, if I recall correctly.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: It’s been a hard winter to work the trap line (2010/01/20)
Hello, friends. Last week I wrote about my experiences while setting traps for and catching my first otter.

Road to Miss America has been a long one for Smaby (2010/01/13)
Since being crowned Miss Wisconsin last June in Oshkosh, Kristina Smaby has logged more than 22,000 miles traveling around the state making appearances. That includes parades, local pageants, community festivals, visits to nursing homes and schools and a lot more.

WS Village Hall office worker helps things run smoothly (2010/01/13)
She might be relatively new to West Salem — and she’s only working part-time (from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. weekdays) — but village office assistant Virginia Daniel is already making a positive contribution to the community.

Fitness classes blend, martial arts, dance, healing, spirituality (2010/01/13)
mike.martin@lee.net

RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: Bald eagles catching scads of shad in the Mississippi (2010/01/13)
My search for the bald eagles paid off again in the last days of 2009 and in early 2010. I had heard of eagles “stacked up,” according to an eagle-watching friend, at various locations in the area, including the Black River near La Crosse.

Buyer beware: Electric heaters may not live up to money-saving claims (2010/01/13)
Electric heaters, which have long been a bad deal for most people trying to lower their energy bills, are an even worse deal in Wisconsin this winter because of falling prices for natural gas.

LIBRARY NOTES: Resources at local library can help with resolutions (2010/01/13)
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors and let each new year find you a better man.”

ODD WISCONSIN: Hartford’s Holy Hill has history of healing (2010/01/13)
One night about 1850, a farmer near Hartford, Wis., noticed a weird shape silhouetted against the moon. On a hilltop miles from any town, someone was kneeling before a cross. After an hour, the shrouded figure rose up and disappeared.

ALONG THE TRAIL: You’ll be shocked at roots of winter holiday (2010/01/13)
If even a modicum of the histories, tales, legends, sagas, and myths that have come down to us from about 1,200 or 1,300 years ago are true, many of our ancient ancestors would have been tending huge outdoor bonfires every night for a week or two by about this time of year.

OUTDOORSMAN’S JOURNAL: Otter trapping adventure gets off to a good start (2010/01/13)
Hello, friends. For several years I have applied for a permit to trap otter and fisher. I received a fisher trapping permit three years ago but did not try trapping for them.