Wisconsin tries to balance its gray wolf population through different jurisdictions — and a divided public. Here is part one and two of our series on the state’s gray wolves.
Additionally, the Hudson Chamber of Commerce coordinated the 38th annual Christmas Tour of Homes.
Here are other storylines you may missed:
Weekend Planner | Pastor’s Viewpoint | Latest e-Edition
Hudson Food Cupboard receives donation
Dave McDonald from the St. Croix County American Legion presented a check for $900 to Ruth Knapp and Maggie Wooley, who represent the Hudson Food Cupboard. The St. Croix County American Legion raises funds at a golf tournament and disperses the funds to many nonprofit organizations in the County.
Hudson native owns a best women-owned business
Hudson native, Jill J. Johnson, MBA, president and founder of Johnson Consulting Services, has been recognized by Finance & Commerce as one of the 2024 In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses in Minnesota. A special issue of the publication profiled each of the honorees was also published.
Johnson, a 1978 graduate of Hudson High School, is an award-winning management consultant specializing in strategy development and developing strategies for growth. She is the daughter of Toni and Bob Johnson who founded Johnson’s Body Shop in downtown Hudson. This business was also owned and operated by her late brother, Jeff). Johnson currently lives in Fridley, Minnesota.
Businesses were selected for In the Lead by Finance & Commerce’s editorial staff to recognize the best of Minnesota’s women-owned businesses. The editorial team curated a list that they felt were the best based on demonstrated businesses success as measured by revenue and/or employee growth, efforts by these businesses to empower other women, ability to trailblaze and find success in male-dominated industries and general success and reputation.
This honor is truly a Who’s Who list of women’s entrepreneurship and leadership in Minnesota. It’s remarkable to note that seven of the honorees, including Jill, have been inducted into the Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame. Johnson was also named a Minnesota ICON by Finance & Commerce in 2021. She is one of the few entrepreneurial enterprise founders to ever be honored with this award.
“We extend our congratulations to Jill Johnson on her recognition in the inaugural In The Lead Woman-Owned businesses feature,” commented Bill Gaier, Publisher of Finance & Commerce.
“She is truly an industry leader.” Johnson shared, “I’m privileged to know many of these amazing women and I am always so inspired by them.”
Johnson founded Johnson Consulting Services, a management consulting firm specializing in strategy development, in 1987. She has served clients from across the USA, Europe, and Asia. Her expert counsel has influenced over $4 billion worth of business decisions for clients including Mayo Clinic, ResMed, Salvation Army, United Way, Minneapolis Club, Covenant Retirement Communities, Walker Methodist, Fairview, Association for Corporate Growth and many others.
Johnson has served on the board of directors for numerous business and non-profit organizations. She has served on two federal boards and chaired an Advisory Board for the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development.
Johnson is well known for her long-term mentoring efforts with young professionals and college students. Having mentored well over 100 people over the last two decades, many of them now have board positions on the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Club, industry associations, as well as increasing levels of responsibility at companies like 3m, General Mills, Anthem, and Allina Health or have started their own businesses.
Realty ONE Group SIMPLIFIED’s grand opening
Realty ONE Group SIMPLIFIED hosted its grand opening. Past clients, friends
and families joined the agents in celebrating the opening of their new space at 2501 Hanley Road Suite 200 in Hudson.
“When we planned our grand opening, we knew we wanted something big.” said Mary Yacoub-Raad, one of the owners of Realty ONE Group SIMPLIFIED.
We were thrilled to provide over $11,000 to the K-9 Unit. The Hudson WI K-9 unit is an important part of our community’s safety and does not have a line item within the public safety budget, so any money raised goes to purchasing the dog, housing, feeding, training and raising it.
There are many requirements that the officer has to meet in order for the dog to be housed properly. All of this is expensive. The most recent dog will cost over $20,000.
To learn more about Realty ONE Group SIMPLIFIED as a REALTOR or if you have any real estate needs feel free to contact us at 715-262-2810 or Office.Rogs513@gmail.com
UWRF with ‘A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol’
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Music and Stage and Screen Arts Department invites the community to experience a heartwarming holiday treat with its presentation of “A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol.”
The production has multiple showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, Thursday, Dec. 12, and Friday, Dec. 13. All performances will take place in Blanche Davis Theatre in the E. H. Kleinpell Fine Arts Building, 420 E. Cascade Ave., River Falls.
This festive production, set during Christmas Eve 1943, offers a nostalgic and comedic take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” reimagined within the world of a 1940s radio broadcast.
The play follows a ragtag radio troupe struggling to tell the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. When the group’s lead actor becomes overwhelmed with grief for his son who died in the war, the panicked cast improvises a detective noir radio show with hilarious results.
Audiences can expect classic Christmas carols, jazzy 1940s tunes, and a heartfelt story that appeals to all ages.
The cast and musicians, comprised of UWRF students, will bring this production to life under the artistic direction of UWRF faculty. Director Kathy Welch, Music Director Casey Palbicki, Vocal Director Momoko Tanno, and Scenic Designer Kyle Gettelman, lead the production.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children and seniors, and $5 for UWRF students. They can be purchased at the box office starting one hour prior to each performance, or online at: uwrf.edu/SASA/UniversityTheatre/OrderTickets.cfm.
RFCT presents ‘Christmas Cafe’
The River Falls Community Theatre Presents:Christmas Cafe from Dec. 5-Dec 7 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Junior’s Bar and Grill. Come see the RFCT actors present a cute holiday play and have dinner. “The Christmas Café” is set in a restaurant where Betty, the waitress and cook, serves customers from three different familiar holiday stories: “The Night Before Christmas” by Clemet Clarke Moore, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, and “The Nutcracker” by E.T.A. Hoffman. In “All of the Other Reindeer,” Blitzen is burned out and upset that he’s always last on the team. The other reindeer have suggestions: Cupid thinks he needs a love life; Donder suggests a good stock portfolio, Prancer thinks an exercise regime is the answer. Baffled, the other reindeer call in Santa’s newest hire, a reindeer called Freud. They tell her Blitzen has jealousy and anger issues. Finally, the waitress Betty simply suggests another reindeer take a turn being last. Finally, Blitzen has a better outlook. In “Bah! Humbug!” Marley’s Ghost goes to Scrooge’s house, but a century and a half too late! The Spirits of Past, Present and Future confront him, but everything’s messed up. Now Tiny Tim is a football player. In “Nutcrackered,” E.T.A Hoffman is struggling with writer’s block. Young Clara and her brother Fritz give him inspiration when they tell him a wild story about a magical nutcracker. To purchase tickets, go to our facebook page: facebook.com/RFCTh.
Tuchtenhagen reelected to WASB Board
Alan Tuchtenhagen of the River Falls School Board has been reelected to the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. Tuchtenhagen, who was originally elected in 2022, will continue to represent WASB Region 4, which includes 33 school districts in west-central Wisconsin.
“Public schools are the backbone of our state,” says Tuchtenhagen, who has served on the River Falls School Board since 2008. “I am honored to be a school board member and to be part of the WASB as it advocates for our schools and communities.”
As a director, Tuchtenhagen advocates for school districts in his region and across the state. His three year term will begin in January during the Wisconsin State Education Convention in Milwaukee.
“Alan has been an outstanding member of our board, and I look forward to continuing our work together,” WASB Executive Director Dan Rossmiller says. “He consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to public education and locally elected school boards. This passion makes him a powerful advocate for all students as we advance the cause of public education in Wisconsin.”
Tuchtenhagen’s career has spanned more than 45 years at public and private centers of higher learning, including as associate vice chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He also served as the Wisconsin state representative to the national ACT Board for 11 years and is a past president of the Wisconsin Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Believing in the importance of high-quality public schools, Tuchtenhagen’s guiding principle as a board member is to advocate for all students and families. In his work with state and national lawmakers, he encourages bipartisan/nonpartisan solutions for our schools. He is a consensus builder who takes pride in his board’s ability to work together constructively, even when they disagree.
UWRF hosts conf. celebrating Montessori children
Montessori educators, administrators, parents and school leaders are invited to the 11th annual Celebrating Our Montessori Children Conference at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), an event intended to highlight the Montessori education method, with a focus on community and peace.
The conference is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18, at UWRF’s University Center, E. 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls. Attendees are urged to register by Sunday, Dec. 1 for early pricing options.
This year’s conference brings together Montessori communities from across the region for a full day of insightful workshops, inspiring speakers, and collaborative learning under the theme, “Joining the Pieces Together for Peace.”
As a leader in Montessori teacher education, UWRF proudly supports both emerging and seasoned Montessori educators with master’s level certifications and is home to the nation’s first doctoral program in Montessori studies. The Montessori education model, named for Maria Montessori, offers a child-centered approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, and self-directed activity.
The conference will feature breakout sessions covering a range of topics relevant to every stage of Montessori education, including infant/toddler, children’s house, lower and upper elementary, early adolescence, as well as administration and parent tracks.
The event promises valuable insights into culturally responsive, inclusive education practices that support holistic child development and foster a more peaceful, understanding world.
Montessori educators, administrators and parents are encouraged to attend, along with public and independent school educators and administrators.
For more information and to register, visit uwlax.edu/ex/montessori/ or contact montessori@uwrf.edu.
UWRF student named a National FFA officer
Mary Schrieber, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has been elected to one of six National FFA Organization officer team positions, a prestigious distinction she called “the honor of a lifetime.”
Schrieber joined her FFA colleagues from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, California, and Georgia who were elected by National FFA delegates to serve as 2024-25 National FFA officers. The group, who will lead the organization for the next year, was selected from among 37 applicants on Saturday during the final session of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
“I am really, really honored and humbled,” Schrieber, 20, said of her selection as a National FFA officer. “When it was announced that I had been selected, it was pretty much just pure shock and joy.”
Schrieber’s selection as a National FFA leader is especially notable given that she didn’t grow up on a farm or with an agricultural background. She spent her childhood in the suburban community of East Troy in southeast Wisconsin and got her start in agriculture in eighth grade, when she was urged to join her school’s FFA chapter and she participated in Middle School Quiz Bowl, a competition that tests participants’ knowledge of ag-related topics.
“Before that, I couldn’t tell you what FFA even was,” Schrieber recalled. “Then I took part in that competition, and I loved it. After that, I was hooked. I wanted to be part of FFA.”
In ensuing years Schrieber became increasingly involved in FFA, learning as much about various aspects of agriculture as she could. She got involved at the state level as well, serving as the Wisconsin FFA state sentinel in 2022-23 and as the organization’s president in 2023-24.
Schrieber attended UW-Madison her freshman year, then transferred to UWRF because she said the school offers her better opportunities in her major, agricultural education, and to study agriculture policy development. She praised the quality of agriculture education at UWRF and said she is thankful for the support of faculty and her fellow students as she pursues FFA opportunities.
“I have a lot of really great opportunities at UW-River Falls,” she said. “This place has been a really good fit for me.”
During her year as a National FFA officer, Schrieber will travel across the country, interacting with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate partners, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, and others. She will help lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members and help set policies to guide the future of FFA and the next generation of leaders.
“I am so excited to continue to educate and talk about the importance of agriculture, and now I have a bigger platform to do that,” Schrieber said. “I will be doing that with the next generation of agriculture that will take on the challenges that our industry faces.”
UWRF junior Amy Jentges, an ag education major from Port Washington, served as a Wisconsin FFA officer with Schrieber last year. She watched Schrieber develop her leadership skills as president of the state FFA, work that prepared her for being a National FFA officer.
Schrieber exudes an inclusive leadership style, Jentges said, that “includes cultivating a sense of belonging and friendship wherever she goes.”
Schrieber said she is driven to connect with others about the importance of agriculture and food because of her own experience and her lack of a traditional agriculture background. Many Americans don’t understand where their food comes from, she said, and don’t understand the challenges that agriculture faces. She wants to change that.
“For a time, I perceived my lack of experience in agriculture as something to hide,” she said. “But the people in this industry made me realize that FFA was somewhere where I really belong. That’s why I decided to run for national office, to inspire other people that they can belong in ag too.”
UWRF students plan fundraiser for families in need
Students in a University of Wisconsin-River Falls Marketing Communications class are learning more about the profession they’re studying while helping families in need.
Students in the Sales Promotions and Event Planning course taught by David Bonko, an associate professor and director of the university’s Marketing Communications program, are planning the Fourth Annual Gift & Thrift event on campus, an effort to help families needing financial assistance.
The student-led event consists of a thrift store at which donated clothing will be sold. It will take place from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Falcon’s Nest at the University Center, E. 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls. Donated clothing will include jackets, shoes, shirts, and pants.
A silent auction will occur throughout the event. The UWRF Marching Falcons will provide entertainment from 5:15–5:35 p.m. All profits from clothing sales will be donated to the River Falls Sunshine Fund, an organization that assists people experiencing financial hardship.
“Participating in the Fourth Annual Gift and Thrift event has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Brooke Zitzloff, a junior from Delano, Minn., who is majoring in Marketing Communications. “Through the Sales Promotion and Event Planning course, we’ve gained valuable hands-on experience in various aspects of event planning, helping us develop new skills and uncover what truly ignites our passion.”
Sales Promotions and Event Planning class members are seeking donations, including financial help, clothing, and silent auction items. Those seeking to donate should contact kate.garbow@my.uwrf.edu. Digital cash donations can be made via Venmo at gift-thrift-and-silent-auction.square.site.
The event is sponsored by River City Stitch, Citizens State Bank, Game Quest Gaming, Freeman Drug, Leitch Insurance Agency, Tarnation Tavern, The Table on Main, and The Garage Bikes + Brews.
For more information, contact nolan.arechigo@my.uwrf.edu
Forward New Richmond Committee sees updates on the library, affordable housing
Forward New Richmond, a citizen-led volunteer group in local government accompanied by staff, saw a presentation of the library in a recent meeting. “As you drive on Arch Avenue you will see significant progress on the library,” said Community Development Director Beth Thompson in an update.
The committee also saw an update on affordable housing. In a previous meeting, Forward New Richmond members expressed a strong interest in developing three to four key programs to ensure New Richmond’s community has attractive and
affordable housing options, considering three key initiatives:
1. Live and own programs
2. Smaller homes at affordable prices
3. Renter to homeowner programs
The committee also compiled data that show housing trends in the city; New Richmond has 3,112 in Total Owner Units; for Total Renter Units, it has a count of 1,879 and 19 Total Seasonal/Migrant Units as of 2020. This will help the committee assess how to implement the three key housing ideas.
New Richmond: Help us name our snow plows
Winter is coming — and our snow plows are ready to take on the snow. But before we head out on our roadways, we think our plows need clever and powerful names.
The City of New Richmond is excited to announce its first ever Snow Plow Naming Contest.
Please submit your name suggestions via this Google Form prior to Dec. 1. The Winner(s) will get the opportunity to ride in a snow plow, tour the Public Works Shop and take a picture with the plow and crew. Ready, set, name a plow!
Deer Park farm on ‘The Hardcore Carnivore’
Rolling Acres were invited to be on a national television show called the Hardcore Carnivore.
In 2014 Leslie Svacina, began Cylon Rolling Acres, a meat goat farm in western Wisconsin, with a goal to sell goat meat directly to consumers through a farm website, helping families access goat meat in the United States.
After 10 years of pasture raising goats, promoting goat meat to consumers, and being asked to teach aspiring meat goat farmers how to do both; Leslie and her goat farm, Cylon Rolling Acres were invited to be on a national television show called the Hardcore Carnivore.
The Hardcore Carnivore is hosted by Jess Pryles, who is a live fire cook, meat science expert and author. The premise of the show is Pryles travels the country to meet with farmers and ranchers to cook and learn about alternate animal proteins.
Cylon Rolling Acres was specifically chosen to highlight goat meat. If the name Hardcore Carnivore rings a bell, it is because Pryles also started a seasoning company of the same name about eight years ago. Pryles, originally from Australia made a life changing-visit to Texas, being introduced to Texas barbeque for the first time. This began a fascination with meat, the factors that influence the flavor and that of course includes how it is prepared.
By sharing her journey into the world of meat and cooking meat, the show host hopes to encourage others to expand their own food and cooking experiences. The Svacina family hosted Pryles and a production crew in August 2023 to film the episode over two days, including spending time with her goat (and sheep) herd grazing and in the kitchen cooking goat.
The episode originally aired on Nov. 4 on the Outdoor Channel. You can watch the Cylon Rolling Acres episode by tuning into your local provider that carries the Outdoor Channel.
It was a culmination of raising goats, promoting goat meat and sharing it all on social media that led to being invited to do an episode of the Hardcore Carnivore.
Early on in her farming journey, Leslie knew if she wanted to pasture raise goats and sell the products, she would be doing the groundwork herself, given there is not an established commodity group/USDA check off program to promote goat meat to consumers like exist for other proteins in the U.S.
Svacina began sharing the nutritional benefits of goat meat directly to consumers, working with chefs to feature goat meat on menus, as well as with food bloggers to develop goat meat recipes.
“I really want to see the U.S. goat meat industry thrive. It’s still young and the demand is growing. I hope we can find more ways for farmers to effectively market and sell goat meat, said Leslie Svacina, Owner of Cylon Rolling Acres and grazingwithleslie.com.
