These are the full-throated days of summer here in southern Wisconsin, when the sun hangs high, the evenings stretch long and the calendar fills with the kind of weekends we dream about in January. The swimming pool is full of laughter, boys and girls are playing T-ball downtown, and ice cream and cold drinks never tasted so good. This is exactly the kind of weather park benches were made for.
This weekend brings Monticello Homecoming. Next weekend, the Green County Fair, Maxwell Street Days, Community Garage Sales, and Blues, Brews & Food Trucks all crowd onto the calendar, each one offering another reason to get out, see neighbors and enjoy the dog days of summer. And before long, Volksfest will be here, too. This is the time we looked forward to all winter, so savor it while you can. You'll have more time to rest when it’s cold.
What We’re Working On
The Highway 69 detour officially begins early Monday morning. We’ll have the latest news and updates from WisDOT to help make your trek across the county a little easier.
Jim Zuber graduated from New Glarus and built a business that came remarkable close to making the landjaeger mainstream. Then tragedy struck. We’ll tell his story.
A local woman was recently recognized as a hometown hero for helping make soccer available to disadvantaged children. It is an incredible story about an incredible woman, and one you will want to read.
We tasted all of the New Glarus entries in the 2026 Green County Best Burger Contest. We’ll tell you what we found, what stood out and where to find them.
Bubbler. Ope. You betcha. They’re all part of Wisconsin’s colorful language. We’re pulling together some of the best Wisconsin words, sayings and quirks in one place this weekend.
Colony Brands, formerly Swiss Colony, is turning 100 this year. We’ll look at the remarkable history of the big business that got its inspiration from New Glarus.
The backdrop behind the Swiss singers, yodelers and performers at Volksfest is 40 years old and due for an update. We’re talking with the artist painting the new backdrop and will give you a first glimpse of what it will look like.
Local government is busy next week. We’ll have reports from meetings of the Town of New Glarus, Village of New Glarus, New Glarus School Board and Green County Board of Supervisors.
The Green County Fair, Maxwell Street Days, Community Garage Sales and Blues, Brews & Food Trucks are all coming up next week. We’ll have what you need to know before you go, plus photos from the events afterward.
There is an exciting new project on the horizon for New Glarus Woods State Park. We have some of the first details.
More local businesses continue to evolve, grow and change hands in New Glarus. We’ll have their stories and the details behind what is changing.
Photo of the Week
What You May Have Missed
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Something We Noticed
Sometimes, when we look at neighboring communities, we see things that make us a little jealous.
Take Monticello, for example. They have Lake Montesian, the Monticello Homecoming, and some of the best chicken barbecue anywhere in the area. And now, I think we may have a new reason to be jealous.
This past weekend, Monticello Works held its second annual Fourth of July celebration, with fireworks, food and fundraising for students pursuing careers in the trades. That had us crawling down a bit of a rabbit hole.
Monticello Works is a local nonprofit that provides grants to Monticello High School graduates who are pursuing careers in the trades, entering apprenticeships or starting a business after graduation. In other words, it is investing directly in young people who want to build, fix, make, serve, start and work.
What an excellent idea.
I could be wrong, but I do not believe New Glarus has something quite like this. Maybe it should. Investing in the trades and in young entrepreneurs is dear to our heart, and it feels like exactly the kind of thing small communities should be thinking about more often.
Good work, Monticello. Good work.
New Glarus 360 is Looking for a Little Help
We are seeking someone who can occasionally attend local public meetings, take clear notes and record meeting audio on their cell phone. This is not a writing position. Pay is $35 per hour, with a one-hour minimum, plus mileage and a free New Glarus 360 subscription.
We are also looking for a New Glarus High School student correspondent and intern to help cover student life, clubs, sports, activities, achievements and other school stories. The position requires about two to three hours per week and will have a paid stipend.
Those interested in either opportunity should email editor@newglarus360.com.
Past Issues
Need to reference a past issue of Community Update? No problem. We’ve got you covered. Previous editions are easy to find, so whether you want to revisit a local story, catch up on something you missed, or go back and check a link, the archive is there when you need it.
How to Reach Us
Have a story idea, tip or announcement? Just reply to this email or submit a story idea at our website. We read every message. You can upload a photo, a file, or news tip by clicking on the button below. Or you can email us anytime at editor@newglarus360.com.
Thanks for supporting local journalism and for helping us tell the story of New Glarus and the people who make this community what it is.
Todd Klassy
New Glarus 360
