Columns - Pierce County Journal

Woodworking again: Things my mother taught me

One of the best lessons I learned in college began in a dorm room, where eight or nine 19-year-old women sat around complaining about how awful their mothers were. We all had grievances to share, and … more

By Ruth Wood | 5/8/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Helping our students become career ready

The first National Youth Apprenticeship Week will be celebrated shortly. As Chairman of the Assembly Workforce Development and Economic Opportunities Committee, one of my responsibilities has been to … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 5/8/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: A golden opportunity

Study committees are formed during the spring of election years after the legislative session ends to investigate new issues that surface in Wisconsin or to examine old issues that may need a … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 5/8/24

From the editor's desk: Sacrifices mothers make

I was inspired when I read this week’s Woodworking Again (see the column next door to mine). Ruth, Dave’s wife, wrote the column this week, acknowledging all her mother taught her, though … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/8/24

Bill Barth: Dissent is just as American as the flag

We are old now, those of us who came of age amidst the turbulence of the Sixties and Seventies. I spent those years at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, which was known at the time for … more

By Bill Barth / WNA | 5/8/24

Community Collaboration: Reflecting on Ellsworth's Second Annual Summit

I hosted our second annual Community Summit on Tuesday, April 23. This event stems from a recommendation outlined in our 2022 Comprehensive Plan update. The goal of the Summit is to provide a … more

By Becky Beissel | 5/8/24

Woodworking again: Tracing our roots

“Give us your poor, your tired, your hungry, yearning to be free,” the famous declaration at the base of the US Statue of Liberty. This quote has been emblazoned on our perception of … more

By Dave Wood | 5/1/24

From the editor's desk: This is the moment

As I watched my stepson Ethan belt out his Solo & Ensemble piece “This is the Moment” onstage Sunday night at his school concert, I had a revelation. THIS is the moment. Not tomorrow, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/1/24

Chris Hardie used to camp by Beaver Creek the night before the opening day of trout fishing.

Back Home: Driftless Area draws anglers

“Time to catch some fish,” Grandpa whispered. I jumped out of bed in my grandparent’s home in downtown Franklin in Jackson County. Downtown meaning it was at the corner of … more

By Chris Hardie | 5/1/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Returning your money to you

Every session, I send out a Legislative survey to the constituents of the 93rd Assembly District to determine which issues you want me to prioritize in Madison. When the results came out this … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 5/1/24

Woodworking again: Gabbing about gardening

After reading John McLoone’s recent essay on weather predictions for what’s left of winter and might happen if spring brings heaps of snow , I’ve decided to abandon our little bare … more

By Dave Wood | 4/24/24

From the editor's desk: Mom guilt

I have been suffering from something called “Mom guilt” lately, and honestly, I’ve had enough of it. I found the perfect quote to describe my feelings in a blog by Beth Berry. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/24/24

Bill Barth column: Wisconsin voters are in a rebellious mood

The message from voters in Wisconsin’s spring election is loud and unmistakable. “Fed up!” Start with the presidential primary. President Biden and former President Donald … more

By Bill Barth | 4/24/24

There was a great deal of washing in Chris Hardie's field in late October when it was hammered with 10 inches of rain in one day only a few days after it was sown with a winter cover crop of rye.

Back Home: Cover crops spring to life

The lifeblood of any farmer is the soil that provides their livelihood, so taking care of it has to be a top priority. That care involves more than simply adding fertilizer and chemicals … more

By Chris Hardie | 4/24/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Session recap, Supporting our farmers

As the weather warms, our parks transform into a thriving center of agricultural commerce, where we are able to buy locally grown agricultural products while chatting with our local farmers. … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 4/24/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: Power of the purse

In a recent column, I wrote about legislation that went unfinished. Many of the issues that were mentioned were ignored from lack of concern by the majority party or for purely political reasons. … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 4/24/24

My View: An interesting weekend

It was an interesting weekend. If anyone would have asked me a few days ago what the odds would be of me doing these things on back to back days, I would have said one in a million. I should … more

By John McLoone | 4/17/24

Woodworking again: Adventures de toilette

We have recently made the self-indulgent purchase of a Toto toilet, which provides a heated seat, a warm water spigot which can be aimed and activated to take care of things toilet paper is designed … more

By Dave Wood | 4/17/24

Rep. Warren Petryk: Enhancing our great outdoors

Spring is in full swing, which means it's the ideal time for us Wisconsinites to enjoy nature. From cruising down ATV/UTV trails to exploring state parks like Hoffman Hills and the Chippewa River … more

By Rep. Warren Petryk | 4/17/24

Sen. Jeff Smith: School Safety Office on life support

This legislative session could’ve been better, but there was one glimmer of hope. The Office of School Safety (OSS) at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) was a bright spot for lawmakers … more

By Sen. Jeff Smith | 4/17/24