The Monk is back | The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of May 16, 2024

It’s not often that I need to tear apart my Weekly Wausonian page, but this one is too important not to: Late on Wednesday, the leadership at Monk Botanical Gardens… wait, Wausau Botanic Gardens… nope, wait, Monk Botanical Gardens announced they are restoring the old name.

That’s right, board leadership decided the outcry was too much and have swapped the name back to Monk Botanical Gardens.

We sincerely apologize or removing "Monk" from the name, which we recognize as a mistake, and regret any confusionor disappointment caused by this oversight.

The Wausonian is unsure about the website, which is still wausaubotanicgardens.org as of this writing late Wednesday. But for now, Monk is back.

Subscribers this week read about another contentious, three-hour-plus Kronenwetter meeting - at the end of which they hired a new administrator: Peter Kampfer:

Subscribers this week also read about the records request The Wausonian received only a year and a half too late:

And The Wausonian’s breakdown of why crime is dropping in Marathon County… or is it?

What else in Wausau?

BREAKING LATE Wednesday — T: The Gardens leadership announced late on Wednesday that it would be walking back the name change. The Gardens will now be known as Monk Botanical Gardens. The press release says the board recognized it made a mistake.

River leadership: The Wausau River District has a new director. Callie Wulk, who previously worked at the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, accepted the role to replace Blake Opal-Wahoske. Opal-Wahoske announced his resignation last month because he’d accepted another job. The Wausau River District is a business improvement district that represents businesses in the downtown area and hosts special events.

Light power: The city’s Solar Array Task Force presented its recommendations for a new city solar array: The proposal would build a $2.5 million, 1.2 kwH-producing solar array to power the city’s water plant. Task Force Chair Chad Henke said the plant would pay for itself in 10-12 years, and wouldn’t affect the tax levy or water rates. And, the option does the most to address concerns from neighbors about unsightliness and tree removal. The city had been contemplating a solar array since before the pandemic but formed a task force to look closer at it after neighborhood concerns.

Around the metro

Ambulance, anyone?: The village of Kronenwetter is weighing the idea of starting its own ambulance service. The village’s fire chief, Theresa O’Brien, says the move would save the village money, increase response times and put the village in better control of the service it provides residents. But some balk at the idea and many board members have questions about the proposal. The village plans to host a public forum next month to air those concerns and allow the public to weigh in.

Underwater machine: The Marathon County Dive Team, which covers six counties and is considered one of the best in the Midwest, received a grant to buy an underwater vehicle. The vehicle can help in situations where fast-moving water makes it too dangerous for human divers. The team has been seeking the grant for many years before finally being awarded it.

Conservation church: The bad news is the Ebenezer Church of Christ is closing; the good news is its land will be preserved for nature. The North Central Conservancy Trust announced that the 30 acres on the church site will be privately owned but will be conserved as natural area through its partnership with the trust. The church goes back to 1889, and the same build stood on the site until 2007 when a new building replaced it.

Business

Hot dawg: A new restaurant called Dawg House recently opened in Weston. The business serves Chicago-style hot dogs, along with a variety of other kinds. Check them out on Facebook.

Fit and eat: A brand new cross-fit gym, Adventure Awaits, recently opened its doors in Weston in late April. In the same building, Weston House Cafe recently opened its doors. That might sound contradictory but the cafe focuses on healthy dishes like acai and smoothie bowls, along with wraps and breakfast sandwiches.

New use for La Prima: The La Prima Deli changed owners in 2022, then briefly rebranded before going out of business. But now The Wausonian got word a new restaurant is planned for the building. Keep an eye out for more details coming up.

Bull Falls Brewery sale pending: Bull Falls Brewery recently canceled a Bock Fest event. In doing so, the brewery explained that three different acquisition attempts have fallen through. But, its leadership says, a new group is in the process of acquiring the brewery. The Wausonian will keep an eye on Bull Falls as the sale develops.

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Entertainment

Friday, May 17: For those who are lovers of Armchair Boogie, The Intermission Bar has a treat for you. Armchair Boogie guitarist Ben Majeska and Trevor Northsoul have put together a new band called Wonderfunk. The funky combination is set to make its debut at The Intermission Bar. The band is slated to play the Milwaukee River Round Up, and has been making its way around the state. The Mish folks promise this will be one funky show, so if you’re ready to feel the funk, this is the place to be. 9:30 pm. Check out the event page for more.

Saturday, May 18: Roller derby used to be the stuff of late-night TV in the 80s - then it became a source of women empowerment and a fun time for those in the stands looking on. Central Wisconsin’s own Mid-State roller derby team is ready to kick off another season, with its home opener at Marathon Park. If you’ve never been, it’s a blast watching these ladies skate around the track, bash each other and take some harrowing lines through defenders to score for their team. It’s a bit confusing at first, but after a couple of rounds you’ll start getting the hang of it. 4 pm. $10. See the event page for more details.

Saturday, May 18: Kylar Kuzio is an interesting singer. She can cover a variety of genres but her original music is solidly country, and her voice lends itself well to the genre. Kuzio has a powerful voice that channels a little bit of Patsy Cline and is backed with pedal steel bends and fiddle as you might expect from a country singer. Right now Kuzio has released four singles, the Fond du Lac singer is an up-and-coming star and worth checking out. 7 pm. See the event page for more.

Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.

Sports

Boys basketball: D.C. Everest has crept up on Wausau East, and is now neck and neck with the Lumberjacks. Both teams are tied for second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference at 5-3. And that’s not likely to change. East beat Marshfield last week 9-1, and Everest beat Merrill 13-1. Today (Thursday) they’ll swap opponents.

Softball: D.C. Everest remains in second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The 9-2 Evergreens defeated Marshfield 8-2 Tuesday. The Evergreens are the only Wausau area team with a winning record.

Girls soccer: D.C. Everest still remains on top of the Wisconsin Valley Conference with an unbeaten 5-0 record. But Wausau West is nipping at their heels with a 5-1 record. Valley teams enter pool play today (Thursday) and the Evergreens will take on 3-3 SPASH.

Boys tennis: This might as well be the D.C. Everest sports section, as boys tennis finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record.

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