Summer is down to its final few pages, even if most of us are not quite ready to turn them.
Labor Day comes a little later this year, which may be a good thing. It gives us a few extra days to talk ourselves into believing autumn cannot possibly be here already. But the signs are getting harder to ignore. The Wilhelm Tell Festival has come and gone. Kids are heading back to school. The New Glarus Glarner Knights are playing again. The corn is beginning to turn, the evenings are getting shorter and suddenly September is staring us right in the face.
It seems like we were just waiting for the first warm weekend of summer, and now we are wondering where it all went.
Maybe that is part of living in Wisconsin. We spend half the year waiting for summer and the other half wondering how it disappeared so quickly. So before the school buses start rolling, the leaves begin changing and pumpkin spice takes over civilization, there are still a few late-August evenings left to enjoy.
We might as well use them.
Stories of the Week
What We’re Working On
There is a well-known New Glarus business changing hands. The deal is not finalized yet, but once it is official, we will share what is happening, who is involved and what it could mean for the business going forward.
If all goes according to plan, Highway 69 is expected to reopen tomorrow. We will be there to see how traffic moves, what remains to be finished and what drivers should know as one of the biggest local road projects of the year reaches an important milestone.
The New Glarus Glarner Knights host archrival Belleville at Bank of New Glarus Field on Friday night. We will be there and will have the full story, photos and highlights for you after the game.
And speaking of sports, boys soccer, volleyball, cross country and swimming are all getting underway. No one covers New Glarus-area high school sports as extensively as we do, and we will be following the teams, athletes, results and stories throughout the season.
School starts Tuesday, and this year New Glarus 360 has an extra set of eyes and ears inside the building. Our student correspondent will help us bird-dog stories, spot what is happening behind the scenes and report on life inside the New Glarus School District.
Ever wonder what happens after you flush? We are taking readers inside the New Glarus wastewater system to explain where everything goes, how the system works and some of the surprising challenges faced by the people who keep it running.
We are digging into the story of the notorious Wauwilermoos prisoner-of-war camp in Switzerland and the remarkable connection to a New Glarus airman who was imprisoned there during World War II.
The village is considering what comes next for the Historical Village parking lot, including the possibility of future development. We are following the discussions closely and will explain what is being considered and why it matters.
New Glarus' new construction total has climbed above 3%, something that has not happened in a long time. We are looking at what that growth says about the community and the surprising impact it could have on next year's property tax levy.
Photo of the Week
What You May Have Missed
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Something We Noticed
If you have never been part of the Wilhelm Tell Play yourself, it can be easy to underestimate just how many people it takes to bring the production to life each year. From the cast and crew to the organizers, volunteers and countless others working behind the scenes, it is truly a community effort in every sense of the word. They all deserve a great deal of thanks and admiration for the time, energy and commitment they give to keeping such a unique New Glarus tradition alive. That is also why we thought it was important to recognize them by name. Here they are:
Wilhelm Tell
2026 Cast of Characters
Principal Characters
Herman Gessler, Gov. of Schwyz and Uri — Paul Jennrich
Rudolph der Harras, His Lieutenant — Joe Mondloch
Werner, Baron von Attinghausen — Jim McNeill
Berta von Bruneck, a Noble Austrian Heiress — Claire Mondloch
Ulrich von Rudenz — Donovan Umhoefer
People from Uri
Wilhelm Tell — Matt Streiff
Hedwig, Tell’s Wife — Amy Doefer
Walter Tell — Declan Umhoefer
Wilhelm Tell, Jr. — Micah Biank
Walter Furst, Hedwig’s Father — Jim Hoesly
Rosselman, the Priest — Emalie Sternberg
Kuoni, the Shepherd — Jonathan Biank
Ruodi — Arlo Paust
Seppi, the Shepherd Boy — Micah Biank
Werni, the Hunter — Danen Babler
Jenni, the Fisher Boy — Evan Babler
People from Unterwalden
Arnold von Melchthal — Andy Schulz
Konrad Baumgarten — Damion Babler
Strutt von Winkelreid — Chris Rear
Meier von Sarnen — Danen Babler
Friesshardt — Nick Kosewski
Leuthold — Jonathan Biank
Stuessi — Benjamin Biank
Master Mason — Mark Janowiak
Fronvogt — Chris Rear
Old Man — Pat Downing / Steve Strieff
Worker — Braden Rear
Traveler — Damion Babler
People from Schwyz
Werner Stauffacher — Daniel Biank
Gertrude, Stauffacher’s Wife — Erin Biank
Hans auf der Mauer — Mike Karius / Chuck Umhoefer
Peasant Women & Men
Armgard — Heidi Mondloch
Monks & Soldiers
Direction — Chris Rear
Riding Soldiers
Riding Soldiers — Heike Burk, Tracy Harrison
Choir & Goat Boys
Direction — Kayla Zimmerman
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
