Lately, it feels like the New Glarus Fire Department has been getting called into action again and again. House fires, brush fires, car crashes — the kinds of emergencies that remind you how much a small town depends on the people willing to show up when something goes wrong. Most of us only think about the fire department when we hear the siren or see the lights. But every one of those calls is a reminder that when trouble comes, New Glarus still relies on neighbors helping neighbors.
That is part of what makes our volunteer fire department so important, and maybe a little fragile, too. We live in a time when volunteerism does not seem as automatic as it once did. I believe the department’s roster is full right now, which is reassuring, but it is probably a far cry from the days when there was a waiting list to join. And really, who wouldn't want to be a firefighter? You get to drive the big red trucks with lights, handle fire hoses, break through doors, save lives, protect property, and be part of something bigger than yourself. Then, once a year, you get to celebrate it all with kalberwurst. Seriously, is there a better volunteer gig in New Glarus?
Of course, firefighting is much more serious than the childhood version many of us imagine. It takes training, commitment, teamwork, and a willingness to step into difficult situations when others are stepping back. But maybe that is exactly why it is the kind of volunteer work a community should admire most. It is service in its clearest form. And in a town like this, where the fire siren still means something, there is a real case to be made: if you have ever thought about doing it, maybe now is the time. New Glarus needs people willing to answer the call. And we're very thankful for the ones who do.
What We’re Working On
This is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and we have a story about the Green County dispatchers whose calm voices and quick decisions play a vital role in public safety here in New Glarus and beyond.
Last year, the Town of New Glarus spent months debating whether ATVs and UTVs should be allowed on rural roads before an ordinance finally passed. The new rules will officially take effect when the township’s new ATV road signs go up, and we plan to be there when that happens.
SSM Health has a new doctor in town at the Monroe Clinic, and we are having a conversation with him so we can formally introduce him to the community. Knowing your doctors still matters in a small town.
It has been a few months since the Matterhorn Heights development was first introduced to the public, and we are following up with Carrousel Farms and the Bader family to see where things stand now.
The New Glarus School District is expected to release its second-trimester honor roll soon, and as soon as it is available, we will share it with readers.
Construction will soon begin on a new phase of work at the New Glarus Community Complex across from the high school. We are preparing an update on the new bathrooms and concession stand improvements now in the works.
It has been years since the New Glarus School District formally offered driver’s education, changing the way young people here learn to drive. We are taking a closer look at what changed and whether that shift has worked out as intended.
We are also putting together a list of the 10 most New Glarus things you can do. A few of them, we suspect, may be things even some lifelong Glarners have never actually done.
The 2026 Green County Burger Contest is underway, and we are writing about the four New Glarus-area entries while also trying them for ourselves. Consider this your excuse to do a little field research of your own.
New Glarus is known as America’s Little Switzerland, but every so often someone manages to mix us up with Sweden. Rather than take offense, we decided to have some fun with it. We are comparing New Glarus with Lindstrom, Minnesota, which calls itself America’s Little Sweden, and taking a look at what makes each community distinct.
And with spring coming into focus, the annual Chicago Alfa Romeo Owners Club's New Glarus Hill Climb returns to New Glarus May 1 through 3. We will have a preview coming soon, along with a look back at the event’s history.
Photo of the Week
What You May Have Missed
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Todd Klassy
Something We Noticed
Something I noticed lately is that the stone on the front of the Swiss Pioneer Monument pedestal in downtown New Glarus doesn’t look quite the way it once did. From a distance, it almost looks like weathered marble, but a little digging shows it’s actually granite—Barre granite and red Montello granite, according to historical records. Even so, the surface has lost some of its original brightness, taking on that dull, worn look that happens slowly over time until it finally catches your eye. With the travel season about to pick up, it’s the kind of detail that starts to stand out on one of the village’s most recognizable landmarks.
My first thought was simple: clean it. But the more I looked into it, the more it became clear this is the kind of project where it pays to think before acting. Even though granite is tougher than marble, this isn’t just any stone—it’s a 110-year-old monument with historical significance and a lot of visibility. The wrong approach, even with good intentions, could do more harm than good. Instead of rushing into it, the better path might be to slow down, figure out who is responsible for the monument, and put together a thoughtful plan. That could mean consulting a professional, understanding the right methods, and deciding how to maintain it long-term. It’s not just about making it look better for summer—it’s about making sure it’s done right.
Free Introductory Access Has Ended
As of today, the free introductory period for New Glarus 360 has come to a close. Since launch, we kept the site broadly open so readers could experience what a stronger, more consistent source of local news for New Glarus and the surrounding area could look like. Beginning now, much of the broader coverage we have built across local government, schools, sports, business, community life, history, features, and breaking news is available only to paid subscribers. A free plan still remains in place, and it continues to include newsletters, announcements, public notices, public safety news, and story previews, but it no longer includes the same level of access readers enjoyed during the launch period.
This change is part of building something that can last. Paid plans begin at $2 a month or $20 a year for Basic Access, with higher tiers available for readers who want additional benefits such as sports, heritage coverage, photo galleries, archives, and more. Subscriptions help support more reporting, more photography, more local sports coverage, and a stronger publication rooted right here in New Glarus. We are deeply grateful to the readers who have already subscribed and helped support this effort from the beginning. If New Glarus 360 has become part of your routine and you want to continue reading premium stories, now is the time to subscribe.
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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
