Do you know how to change a tire? Cook with fire? Own a decent set of tools—and know how to use them? If so, you probably qualify for your “man card,” that imaginary social construct men like to talk about when trying to size up each other's masculinity.
When discussing the man card with a friend recently I wondered: What would it take to earn a New Glarus card? A fictional card that says holders are definitely a true Glarner.
Attending Oktoberfest at least once would definitely qualify, especially if you complained afterward that it was either too crowded or not as busy as it used to be. Eating a landjaeger probably counts, too.
And with the Wilhelm Tell Festival returning this week, I would add something else to the list: You should have been in the Wilhelm Tell play at least once.
No, it does not have to be a speaking role. Generations of amateur New Glarus thespians have made a career out of playing peasants. Pauline Ott was one of them, and she could scare the bejesus out of the teenage soldiers in Gessler’s army with some of her acting.
I too was a peasant but earned my stripes as the town crier.
I can't imagine why.
If you have never been in the play, try it someday. And in doing so you too will earn your New Glarus card.
What We’re Working On
We’re taking a closer look at how New Glarus-area voters shaped two Democratic primary races in August. We’ll break down where the candidates performed best locally and what the results may tell us heading into November.
The New Glarus Historic Preservation Commission meets today, with the Floral Clock and the parking lot east of the Swiss Historical Village back on the agenda. We’ll have the details on what is discussed and what may happen next.
The Green County Development Corporation is preparing to announce a new program aimed at first-time Green County homebuyers. The program would provide assistance in exchange for 100 hours of volunteer service, and we’ll explain how it works and who may qualify.
We’ll be out with our cameras this weekend for the Wilhelm Tell Festival, including the play, art fair and book sale. Look for plenty of photos from one of New Glarus’ signature weekends.
The New Glarus Glarner Knights open the 2026 football season Friday night at Cambridge. We’ll be there to cover the game and bring you the highlights afterward.
We’re digging deeper into the history of the old brick New Glarus grade school, a building that once served generations of both grade school and high school students. We’ll also share the memories of former teachers and students who knew the building firsthand.
The Sugar River Bombers youth baseball team put together an impressive summer. We’ll look back at their season, what the team accomplished and some of the young players who helped make it happen.
Construction is moving along on the Bank of New Glarus’ new Evansville branch. We have new photos showing the progress and will take a closer look at the bank’s continued expansion into the Evansville market.
We’ll continue following the Highway 69 reconstruction project as crews push toward the anticipated reopening next weekend. We’ll keep readers updated on progress, remaining work and what drivers can expect as the highway returns to service.
New Glarus Oktoberfest is right around the corner, and we’re finding out what visitors can expect this year. We’ll take a look at what’s new, what’s returning and what organizers have planned for the 2026 celebration.
Is New Glarus becoming a true foodie destination? We’re talking with local business leaders and looking at what other small communities have done to build reputations around restaurants, local food and culinary tourism.
New Glarus Brewing Co. has requested a building permit for a $450,000 project at its riverside brewery. We’re digging into the plans to find out exactly what the company is proposing and what the investment could mean for the site.
Photo of the Week
What You May Have Missed
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Something We Noticed
One thing I noticed this week is just how many consequential local decisions happen almost quietly. A new school levy. A rural bridge nearing the end of its useful life. Changes to the Floral Clock. A New Glarus High School senior turning heads on the baseball diamond. A new business coming to town. Downtown Wi-Fi. On the surface, none of these necessarily feels like a defining moment. Most arrive without much fanfare and are quickly replaced by whatever comes next.
But these are the things that make up the fabric of a community. Some will prove more consequential than others. Some will be forgotten within a few years, while others will create ripples that will be felt decades from now. They are steppingstones and markers in time — small pieces of the larger story of New Glarus. That is one of the reasons local news matters. Even when something seems ordinary today, we rarely know which decisions, people or moments will someday turn out to have mattered most.
Small Changes, Better Experience
A few small but important changes are coming to the New Glarus 360 website in the weeks ahead. Our website manager has been working overtime on a series of improvements, with the first updates expected to begin rolling out next week.
Most of the changes are designed to make the site easier to use, navigate and understand. Some will be obvious, while others will happen quietly behind the scenes. You may never notice those changes directly, but they still play an important role in making the website work better.
If you ever want to see what has changed, we keep a running changelog of website updates. You can find the link at the bottom of every page in the footer, or visit https://www.newglarus360.com/changelog/.
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
