Entertainment – Wisconsin Top News

Fiber Arts Trail turns craft into community

Capital Newspapers — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 19:24:53 +0000

The Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trail, now in its second year, will open Thursday with 30 events across four cities.

Over three days, local creative types will tour and introduce themselves in Portage, Baraboo, Lodi and Prairie du Sac, and in some cases take the first steps to being professional artists.

“We call it a creativity weekend because our audience of enthusiasts who like to do road trips like this, they are lifelong learners,” said event organizer Jennifer Wilder, founder of the Wayzata, Minnesota-based Wildwood Press.

The project began with Wilder taking cross-country tours with her sister and sister-in-law in 2009. Wilder was a professional recruiter at a time when no companies were recruiting. In New Mexico, Wilder found a pamphlet at a yarn shop for the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails.

“I was just like: ‘Wow, we have to do that in Minnesota,’” Wilder said.

In the meantime, she put together and published an art calendar book featuring 125 Midwest fiber artists, giving her a much better idea of the scope of that medium.

“I needed to learn about what people were doing and what they were making, and publishing those books was really instrumental, but now it is really about community building,” said Wilder.

Wilder took the idea of a Midwest fiber arts trail to the Wisconsin Museum of Quilt and Fiber Arts, and the first of the trails was organized in Cedarburg. About four years later, there are five trails, with two in Minnesota and three in Wisconsin, the most recent being added in Madison.

“It’s kind of like the fall art tour because it has Baraboo, Lodi, Prarie du Sac, and Portage,” said Rita Briant, owner of Prairie Flower Beads, who is hosting three workshops on necklace and bracelet making. “And we have some of the guest speakers in Portage this year.”

In its second year, new Portage businesses have joined in the project, which will also includes workshops at the Historic Indian Agency House.

Anne Katz, of Arts Wisconsin, will be the keynote speaker Friday night at the Portage Center for the Arts.

“I don’t live in that world, although I love all the things that people make,” said Katz, who lobbies and advises on the subjects of legislation, entrepreneurship, quality of life, civic impact of art and arts education. “What we try to do is bring everyone together to know how much the arts add to the education, economy and quality of life, and push that message that the arts are for everyone and that everyone is creative, and the arts are important to Wisconsin’s future.”

Part of the experience shared through the project is sharing heritage of 19th and early 20th century textile work and much older traditions from local native arts.

“The heritage that is expressed through the native arts and crafts is something we are trying to promote and speak up for,” said Katz. “We have wonderful artists all over in the state and the native artists that are working in fiber arts and it’s important to express creativity and it’s important to carry on the traditions of a people and it is important to Wisconsin’s life whether you are native or not.”

Events begin Thursday morning and conclude Saturday evening.

“One of the best parts are the relationships that are made between the trail members,” said Wilder. “Maybe they didn’t know people in Baraboo, but they do now and they work on projects.”

From the newsroom: Free Spring Fishing Clinics for Kids at 11 park lagoons April 14

Express News — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 18:46:38 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen

Members of local fishing clubs will teach children the basics of fishing at the 34th Annual Spring Fishing Clinics for Kids, April 14, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., at 11 Milwaukee County Parks.

Clinics are presented by the Milwaukee County Parks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, and the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery.

Children age 15 and under are invited to the hands-on clinics featuring knot tying, safe use of fishing equipment (including casting), and instruction on proper fishing techniques. Clinics also include fish identification, regulations, and ethics. Six locations will offer cleaning and cooking demonstrations.

Parks hosting expanded clinics, with cleaning and cooking demonstrations, are Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Road; Dineen Park, 6901 W. Vienna St.; Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th St.; Kosciuszko Park, 2201 S. 7th St.; Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St.; and Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Road (wheelchair accessible)

Parks offering basic clinics are Grant–Oak Creek, Mill Pond on Oak Creek Parkway; McCarty Park, 2567 S. 79th St.; McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51st St; Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Drive; and Washington Park, 1859 N. 40 St.

Because a limited number of rods and reels will be available for children to use during the clinics, families are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Young children must be accompanied by an adult.

The indoor instructional component of the program will go on no matter what the weather; the outdoor component is weather-dependent. Clinics will run continuously throughout the day, with the last sessions starting at 2 p.m.

Pre-registration is not required for families, but groups of 20 or more are asked to call the Wisconsin DNR at (414) 382-7923.

Spring Fest-Better Together returns March 10

Express News — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:49:34 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen

Families are invited to a day of free fun that emphasizes healthy living March 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spring Fest–Better Together at Hamilton High School.
Spring Fest-Better Together began in 2002 and has been held every other years. The event will feature more than 70 vendors. The event is hosted by the Hamilton School District and organized by the Sussex Area Chamber of Commerce and local community groups. Major Gold Level sponsors are Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Sussex IM, Waukesha State Bank and Power Test. In addition, Launch Now Agency, Kwik Trip and Meijer are Silver Level sponsors.
Entertainment includes Trinity Irish Dancers, Mariachi Zamora Band, a magician, a balloon-twisting clown, mascots and the Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit. Hands-on children’s activities include bulb planting, indoor inflatable speed pitch, a cheer clinic and bike helmet-fittings. Check out the Spring Fest website (www.springfestsussex.org) for more information.
Spring Fest drew 1,488 visitors when it was held in 2016.
“(The) purpose has always been to draw community together and promote healthy individuals and a healthy community, said Denise Dorn Lindberg, part of the group organizing the event. “Spring Fest is also about making a difference for others in the community. Volunteer Organization of Women in Sussex is holding a Zumbathon to benefit SOS. Last year, they raised $550 for SOS. The Lioness Blood Drive will be held again. The drive in 2016 collected 33 pints of blood.”
Free health screenings will be offered including hearing, spine, feet, dental and alcohol and drug abuse self-test. The Strollin’ Colon, a room-sized pink inflatable presented by Froedtert Health, allows visitors walk through to learn about the signs of colon cancer, the third most common cancer in the U.S.
Exhibits in the gym open at 9 a.m. where about 70 vendors will have booths with information and specialty items to share. Hamilton High School student groups will sell food and refreshments.

Pauline Haass Public Library events

Express News — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 18:44:34 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen

Pauline Haass Public Library news and programs

The following programs are being offered at the Pauline Haass Public Library in Sussex.

Adult programs and news:

The Next Door Library will be open in the Sussex Civic Center’s Library 1^st Floor Multipurpose Room through Jan. 18 as the library’s aging sprinkler system is replaced. Most services are continuing at this new temporary location. Please note: The library will be closed on Friday, Jan. 19 while moving back into the regular building takes place. The library will be open in its normal location on Saturday, Jan. 20.
Identity Theft-Protect and Prevent will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Civic Center 2^nd Floor Board Room: The different types of identity theft will be explained during this presentation by Laura Fay of the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection. She will also share information about Fraud Alerts and Security Freezes. Learn how to spot the red flags of a scam.
Make It! DIY Spa Products will be held Thursday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Quad/Graphics Room of the library: Learn how to make bath bombs, lip balm, and body scrubs using common household ingredients and essential oils. This class is open to adults. Materials are limited and registration is required. Registration is underway. Visit the library or call (262) 246-5180 to reserve a seat.

Teen and children’s programs:

Doggy Tales: Read to a Dog will be offered Thursday, Jan. 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Kids’ Lab: Sign up for a time slot to read one-on-one to Dakota the Golden Retriever. Read aloud for practice, fun, or just some Doggy time. Grades 1-8. Registration required. Call (262) 246-5180 to register for your slot.
Cookie Club offered now through Jan. 20: Join Winter Cookie Club and collect punches on Cookie Club card for checking out materials from the library. Collect six punches by Jan. 20 to be entered into a drawing for a prize basket. Visit the Children’s Services desk to join.

The library is located at N64 W23820 Main St. in Sussex. For more information, visit www.phplonline.org or call the library at (262) 246-5180.

Area farmers markets

Express News — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:50:53 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen

Farmer’s Markets:

The Germantown Farmers Market, located in the Village Hall parking lot, is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Hartford Farmers Market, located in the Johnson Street parking lot, is open Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Jackson Farmers Market, located at in Jimmy’s Restaurant parking lot (Main Street and Industrial Drive), is open Thursdays from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The Menomonee Falls Farmers Market, located in the North Middle School parking lot, N88 W16750 Garfield Drive, is open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (May-November) and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (July-October)
The West Bend Farmers Market, located in the downtown area of the city, is open Saturdays from 7:30 to 11 a.m.