Trespasser
Poet John Keats once wrote that the poetry of the earth is never dead. In honor of this week’s celebration of Earth Day, writer Jill Sisson Quinn tells us why she can’t stay away from the woods.
The Bubbler
Wisconsin has its share of regional English words unique to our state. Joan Hall, chief editor of the Dictionary of American Regional English, shares the story behind one notable and it seems divisive Wisconsin word.
Urban Wilderness
We often think of wilderness as something out there rather than something that exists in pockets all around us even in cities. Writer Eddee Daniel set out to explore the estuary of the Milwaukee River.
That Tree
For one year, photographer Mark Hirsch took daily photos on his iPhone of a Burr Oak tree near his Platteville home.That Tree as the project became known, attracted followers from around the world.
Dandelions
The first dandelions of the season are an ebullient sign that spring has sprung. For some homeowners, it also means war. Writer Catherine Jagoe describes her battle for control of the lawn.
Maple Days
Bear Paw Scout Camp lies in the middle of Nicolet National Forest. The camp is alive with activity not only in the summer but during maple syrup season as well.
WPR’s Shawn Connelly went to join in the fun.
Wisconsin Spring
The calendar may say spring, which may have you dreaming of bird songs and flowers, but spring looks a little different on the ground. Writer Liam Callanan shares what he’s learned about our Wisconsin spring.
Why Games Matter
All of us have played games of one kind or another. But do games matter? Writer Patrick Rothfuss thinks so.
Lawrence Trivia
Since 1966, Lawrence University has hosted the Great Midwest Trivia Contest 50 consecutive hours of trivia played in teams. Greg Griffin and his daughter Marianne have played trivia for more than 20 years.
Rules of Sheepshead
Sheepshead is a quintessential Wisconsin game, particularly in Milwaukee. While more Wisconsinites may play euchre, sheepshead has a unique hold on the state and its devoted fans. Dave Cieslewicz shares his love of sheepshead as part of Wisconsin Life’s look at games.
What it feels like to be a Curling Stone
What does it feel like to be a curling stone? Get a stone’s-eye view of curling with this video by Adam Hirsch
Curling
Maybe you’ve only heard of curling, or maybe you’ve seen people lunging down long sheets of ice, pushing stones on TV. … or maybe you’ve got a teflon-shoe, and you can feel the difference between throwing tee weight and hack weight.
Meat Raffle, A Wisconsin Tavern Tradition
Meat raffles are an age-old Wisconsin tavern tradition with obscure origins. Producer Aubrey Ralph set out to try his luck and hopefully win his dinner.
Penokees Read: The Oldest Mountains in the World
Wisconsin Life will feature several stories written by northern Wisconsin residents about the Penokee Range. The stories are the product of the event “Penokees Read”, a public reading of stories and poetry about the living, working, and recreating in the Penokee Hills.
Playing Broomball In Wisconsin
Broomball is a lot like ice hockey, except players wear shoes and use a ball instead of a puck. The game originated in Canada in the early 20th century and eventually made its way to La Crosse where bar-sponsored teams play weekly during the winter.