Food pantry holds ‘Spring Challenge’

RHINELANDER – Once again the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry is challenging local residents to contribute to the annual RAFP Spring Challenge. Two local families have agreed once again to make a partial match for all donations or pledges received March 1-April 30.  In addition to cash or check, donations may include food items, which are valued at $1 per item or pound and will be counted if received during March and April. Typically at this time of year donations are lower, but the need remains high, so the annual Spring Challenge brings attention to the continuous needs of the Food Pantry.

The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry has been serving area families for the past 18 years and has distributed in excess of nine million pounds of food.

Monetary donations to the RAFP Spring Challenge can be made to Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, BMO Harris Bank, P. O. Box 280, Rhinelander, WI 54501.  Food items may be dropped off at the Food Pantry at 627 Coon Street from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.

LWVNOW receives Youth Voter Registration Grant

NORTHWOODS – The non-partisan League of Women Voters of the Northwoods has received a 2024 Youth Voter Registration Grant for $600 from the U.S. League of Women Voters Education Fund.

“The funds will support our upcoming voter registration and education activities in the high schools in Oneida, Lincoln and Vilas counties, as well as at Nicolet College,” said Walter Hobbs, grant coordinator, and LWVNOW vice president.

The League’s objective is to motivate high school students to register to vote, cast their first vote and to begin the journey of voting at each election.

LWNOW has trained volunteers for assisting at these drives and is looking for new volunteers. Online voter registration training materials are available to help train new volunteers. Students can register themselves to vote online at MyVote.wi.us, using their own tablet, computer or phone. Volunteers then share information on how, where, when and why to vote.

Nicolet College musky seminar lineup announced

RHINELANDER – Final details are in place for the Outdoor Adventure program’s annual musky seminar at Nicolet College, to be held March 23 and April 6, 2024.

 Participants can attend one or both sessions, which will be held in the Northwoods Center on the Nicolet College campus in Rhinelander. Ten different lessons are planned, plus a question and answer session at the end of each day. Organizers have changed the focus of the musky seminar lineup to keep things fresh.

 “This year we are focusing on patterns that are applicable to almost any Northwoods lake or stream,” Steve Heiting, Fishing Hall of Famer and the event’s lead presenter.

 “A fishing pattern involves much more than the lure,” Heiting continued. “A pattern involves as many variables as you can determine, and figuring out patterns is the key to being consistently successful on the water.”

 Previous attendees have asked for discussions about high tech electronics, and the 2024 musky seminar will include presentations about forward facing sonar and side imaging sonar.

 Additional presenters are Northwoods guides Rob Manthei, Ken Jackson and Will Buhler. To register, visit nicoletce.tix.com or call 715-365-4544 for assistance. For a full list of the Nicolet College Arts & Enrichment courses for spring and summer, visit nicoletcollege.edu.

Oneida County Tourism offers free business listings

ONEIDA COUNTY – To help visitors and potential visitors learn more about business offerings in the Northwoods, the Oneida County Tourism Council is giving local businesses an opportunity to create a free listing on the county’s official travel website, oneidacountywi.com.

Business listings appear in five main categories on the site: Activities, Attractions, Dining, Lodging and Shopping. Businesses can update their listings on the site, which features a filter system that allows users to find businesses by type, location, amenities and more.

Businesses that already have a listing on the Oneida County site can also use the platform to update their listings. The new and updated business listings are being made in conjunction with and in support of Wisconsin Department of Tourism initiatives that highlight accessibility options and information on diverse-owned businesses.

“Oneida County’s website is an important tool for visitors and potential visitors planning a trip to the Northwoods,” said Krystal Westfahl, president of the Oneida County Tourism Council. “We want to make our site a one-stop shop for travelers and highlight the diverse business community we have here.”

Learn more at  oneidacountywi.com/update-your-listing.

Tractor Supply to hold pet adoption event

RHINELANDER – The Rhinelander Tractor Supply store is hosting a pet adoption event Saturday, Feb. 24, noon to 3 p.m. It is open to the public and friendly, leashed pets.

“As an active advocate and supporter of pet rescue and adoption, Tractor Supply strives to inform our customers of the pet adoption process by providing a safe and comfortable space for placing adorable animals in welcoming homes,” said Craig Hatleback, Rhinelander store manager. “Through this and other year round adoption events, our goal at the Rhinelander store is to connect adoptable pets with interested owners.”

The Forest County Humane Society will have dogs and cats looking for homes. Also partnering for the event are local Girl Scouts.  Tractor Supply is located at 1903 Lincoln Street. For more information, call 715-369-4981.

Marshfield Clinic receives $500k grant to improve food security

RHINELANDER – The YMCA of the Northwoods, in Rhinelander and Park Falls are one of six YMCAs to receive funding from Marshfield Clinic to improve food security for children and families in northern rural Wisconsin.

Marshfield Clinic’s Center for Community Health Advancement received a $500,000 grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. CCHA will use the funds for its initiative, Feeding the Whole Child, Whole Family and Whole Community through Civic Engagement.

It will partner with youth-serving and community-based organizations to address childhood hunger within their own organizations, and to address hunger on the local/community level. Specifically, the focus will be on the four pillars of food security: availability of healthy foods, access to healthy foods, knowledge about preparation and stability of diet.

The grant awards provide support for innovative community-academic partnerships to improve community health, health care, and advance health equity in a wide range of communities across Wisconsin. Maggie Bohm-Jordan, Ph.D., Department of Sociology and Social Work, at UW-Stevens Point, will serve as the academic partner.