Join us in welcoming Elysian Dream to the Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center with a ribbon-cutting celebration!
Explore the services on relaxation, self-care, and rejuvenation as you learn more about Elysian Dream!
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the professionals, and network with local businesses and community members. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating this exciting new business!
UPDATE: Additional informational meeting dates have been added.
Calling All 9th-12th Graders!
Join FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) Team STORM at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and unleash your creativity in Business (Donor/Sponsor Relations, Social Media & Outreach), Electromechanical Engineering (Design, Fabrication, Building & Electrical), Programming (Java & Autonomous Systems), and Strategy (Data Analysis, In-Game Strategies & Alliance Selection)!
Be mentored by UW-Stout students and gain hands-on experience with robotics, teamwork, leadership, and innovative problem-solving!
Compete this interest form for additional information.
Informational meetings will be held on:
12/6/2024, 12/11/2024, 12/13/2024 at 6 PM
Location (Hybrid):
In Person: Room 142, Vocational Rehabilitation Building, UW-Stout
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing STEM education for students in grades pre-K through 12. Through hands-on robotics programs, FIRST empower youth to build skills, confidence, and resilience. Since its inception in 1989, FIRST has engaged over 3.2 million youth from more than 100 countries.
About the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
FRC is one of FIRST’s robotics programs. Each January, a new robotics challenge is announced, and high school teams have six weeks to design, build, and program robots measuring roughly two to three feet wide and three to four feet tall.
These robots compete on basketball-court-sized fields, with events emphasizing FIRST’s core values ofgracious professionalism and coopertition (cooperative competition) - principles that prioritize respect, kindness, and collaboration. Teams and individuals can win awards recognizing technical excellence, team spirit, and impactful outreach efforts, such as the Gracious Professionalism Award and the FIRST Impact Award.
About FRC Team 10264 - STORM
Based at UW-Stout, Team 10264 - STORM is open to all high school students in the Menomonie area, regardless of prior experience. Our program offers students hands-on STEM opportunities to explore engineering, programming, strategy, business, marketing, and outreach.
By joining Team 10264 - STORM, students can:
Be mentored by UW-Stout students, gaining insight into academic and career pathways.
Gain hands-on STEM experience by designing, building, and programming a competition robot.
Compete in robotics competitions locally and nationally.
Develop essential skills in leadership, problem-solving, project management, and teamwork.
Explore business, marketing, and community outreach, inspiring future generations.
Team Meetings:
November - December (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 PM to 8 PM)
January - May (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 PM to 8 PM / Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM)
Alternative meeting days/times can be arranged to accommodate team members’ needs.
By Joleen Sterk, Director - Menomonie Public Library
Festina lente–make haste slowly. Today marks three years since our friend JoanPolasky died. We received an annuity gift of $77,238 from her estate in early 2022. Thegift was given to highlight the library’s unique architecture, and to celebrate art andnature. Our goal was to better integrate the landscape into our available programmingspace, and focus on the mental health benefits of green spaces.
After hiring Ayres Associates (Eau Claire, WI) to work with community stakeholders todevelop a multi-phase plan for our outdoor space, we leveraged Joan’s gift to apply forand receive a Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic DevelopmentCorporation for $44,250. Mayo Clinic Health System’s Northwest Wisconsin CommunityGiving Committee also generously contributed $100,000 to the project.
Jenny Jorgenson, Community Engagement Specialist at Mayo Clinic Health Systemwrites,
“Recognizing the many ways this investment will impact the health and well-being of theMenomonie community and knowing what an incredible partner the library has been incommunity wellness efforts, we are confident this donation towards the library alignswell with our priorities of meeting the needs of our patients in Dunn County andbeyond.”
The final piece of the financial puzzle came from a decision by the Menomonie CityCouncil to allocate $29,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in early 2024for the project. As part of a broader initiative to create welcoming spaces for visitors andfuture residents, the City of Menomonie will play a substantial role in reimagining theLibrary’s outdoor space. Located on Lake Menomin, this outdoor area will provide spacefor members of the community to work and play.
In November 2024, City Council awarded the low bid to Haas Sons, Inc. of Thorp, WI ata cost of $245,040.90. With this award in place, community members can look forwardto the creation of a multi-use outdoor gathering place at the Library in Summer 2025with some exciting amenities:
A new paved, ADA accessible path to allow for easier wheelchair, stroller and walker access
As interest in the project grows, additional funds may be directed toward new doors for accessing the space, a shade canopy, a pollinator rain garden, enhanced electrical service for outdoor concerts, interpretive trails, or a “Sound Garden” outside the children’s area of the library.
With our proximity to the many trails around Menomonie, and our beautiful shoreline site, we are uniquely positioned to engage with nature. There is strong scientific evidence that time in nature supports mental health and well-being. Our hope is that people will be drawn into a closer connection to the natural environment around them, re-discover the joy of gathering in the outdoors, and reinforce their public library as a place for respite, reflection, and community.
You can learn more about the project and make donations HERE.
Joleen has worked at MPL since 2005, and served as Director since June 2021. She has always preferred being outside, especially when reading.
New coach … Many new players … Lost three college basketball players… Defending BRC Champs … Sectional Qualifiers.
First time head coach, and Menomonie High School graduate, Tyra Swanson has a challenge in front of her as a varsity coach. Her team's motto this season is rise, and that’s exactly what the 24-25 girls basketball team will have to do at Menomonie High School to compete in the Big Rivers Conference. With the loss of four starters and their head coach Storm Harmon, a new era will begin this season.
When asked about the biggest weakness of the Mustangs for the 2024-25 campaign, Swanson commented, “Our amount of varsity experience on the court”. A team that lost over 60 percent of their scoring from a season ago. Three Menomonie graduates, Mary Berg (UW-Stout), Sammy Jacobsen (UW-LaCrosse) and Elizabeth Kyles (St. Catherine) are playing basketball at the collegiate level.
Despite the large loss of talent, Swanson said, “We have a very athletic group of girls” and “our press and pace of play will be a big strength.” Just like we saw from the Mustangs under the Harmon regime, Swanson plans to use the speedy legs of the Lady Mustangs to cause havoc to the opponents, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court.
The lone returning starter, Brooklynn Birt, and sophomore Jordan Ohman, who chipped in 5.4 points per game as a freshman, will be looked at to fill a big portion of the scoring loss. “They will be the two we look at for the scoring loss,” commented Swanson when asked about the returning Mustangs.
The Mustangs roster will display seven seniors and a large sophomore class. Siera Auth, Cortlyn Greeley, Maci Marlett, Amanda Holzhueter, Brooklyn Sterry and Ali Haas will all be looking to replace pieces of the scoring loss.
The 2024-25 Mustangs varsity girls basketball schedule can be found HERE.
The lights at Wolske Bay Island were turned on for the season on Friday…. They will be on from dusk to about 1030 daily until mid January.
Reminder: please make sure you do not touch timers, extension cords, lights, or decoration… the only way we can continue to do this year after year is to respect the decorations down there. Also please be mindful of cords or strings when taking pictures… we do not want anyone tripping. Hope you all enjoy! Happy holidays!
Countdown to "Noon Years Eve" with us from 12 - 2pm on December 28th in Eau Claire and Menomonie EXA! The "ball" will drop at noon followed by an epic snowball fight. Kids can stay and play for an open gym until 2 pm.
Spots are limited to the 1st 40 registrations.
Kids under 5 must have a parent stay with them for the duration of the event.
$10 non members
$7 members
Spots are limited to the 1st 40 registrations. MUST PRE REGISTER on our events calendar
