DriftlessNow.com’s focus is on the nature, geological features, cultures, and people of the Driftless area. In addition, we showcase events that celebrate the pride and diversity that makes the Southwest Wisconsin Driftless region unique.
All in Wisconsin History
On May 5th, a couple hundred people gathered in Burns Park across the street from the Ni Tani Hocira (Three Rivers House) Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) Nation La Crosse Branch Office in La Crosse, Wisconsin, for the second annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) 5k run/walk.
The two met in upstate New York in the Adirondacks through an internship with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in 2012. Both were right out of college with no real job prospects at the time.
The Dream Catcher has its origin with the Ojibwe tribe, although it has been adapted into other tribes.
As a part of the annual Sauk Prairie Eagle Watching days, the Sauk Prairie Area Historical Society again welcomed Art Shegonee. Shegonee, a Menominee and Potawatomi activist, dance artist, and educator, has served as an ambassador to Wisconsin Indian Summer that used to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Last Saturday, members of Viroqua, surrounding communities and communities beyond, gathered to celebrate the library receiving the “Wisconsin Library of the Year Award”.
An offshoot of Fermentation Fest and the Farm/Art Dtour in Sauk County, the Native American Arts Marketplace featured authentic Native art, crafts, storytelling, and food over the first two weekends of this month.
While Mother Earth continues to feel the effects of humans in a not so positive way, a group in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin is taking steps to give back to her. The ‘Swamp Project People’, have that very intention.
Back in October of 2020, I had published a story titled “WilloWood Inn: A special place in the Baraboo range”. The WilloWood Inn was purchased by Angie Lowe and her husband Aaron in February of 2018, and Angie has put in a considerable amount of time and hard work with the help of her family to improve the Inn.
“I can definitely speak to my journey with it, which is I didn't really grow up farming or really spending a lot of time outside except for golfing, which is sort of a different way to interact with nature”, said Brad Wissmuller sitting next to his partner Eleanor Johnson. Brad and Eleanor are the owners of Little Society Farm located in Baraboo, Wisconsin just a stone’s throw from Devil’s Lake State Park.
While there are many bakeries in the Wisconsin Driftless, each has its own story behind them. Whether a new bakery, legacy, or under new ownership, each are unique.
Back in June of 2019, I had a profound interview with Eddy Nix, owner of Driftless Books and Music in Viroqua, Wisconsin. I titled the article, “A book and music mecca in the Driftless, with a dash of history”.
Back in March of this year, Stacey Roou (with the help of her husband and musician Lou Shields), set up her shop Driftless Artifacts inside the Viroqua Public Market. Roou’s shop is a walk back in time, featuring vintage clothing from the turn of the century through the ‘90s.
