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From an alligator and Bigfoot, to the birthplace of the ice cream sundae, discover the unexpected along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Mammoth Hike Challenge makes it fun to explore the Trail and visit Trail Communities
Cross Plains, Wis. (Sept. 15, 2026)— Some of Wisconsin’s most memorable attractions aren’t found along the highway. They’re waiting alongside the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
This October, the Ice Age Trail Alliance invites people to trade the windshield for the Ice Age Trail during the annual Mammoth Hike Challenge. Participants have the entire month to explore the Ice Age Trail, enjoy spectacular fall scenery, and discover unexpected places and attractions found along the 1,200-mile footpath.
Since the Challenge began in 2020, nearly 50,000 people have registered to spend October exploring Wisconsin on foot, on the Ice Age Trail. This year, participants are challenged to hike, walk, run, backpack or otherwise accrue 46 miles on the Trail and visit 3 Ice Age Trail Communities during the month.
Everyone who completes the Challenge earns a certificate and limited-edition Mammoth Hike Challenge patch—and the opportunity to experience Wisconsin in a whole new way.
“The Mammoth Hike Challenge is a great reason to get outside and explore Wisconsin,” said Melissa Pierick, Director of Marketing and Community Relations. “The scenery is incredible, especially in October.”
“The most fun part of spending time on the Trail is discovering everything else along the way,” she says. “From small towns you’ve never visited before, to historical and local attractions, to the totally unexpected things you would never see from behind the windshield.”
“Trailside Attractions” Include Giant Animals, Historical Locations, and Natural Wonders
“You’ve heard of a roadside-attraction trip,” says Pierick. “The Challenge is a trailside-attraction trip.”
Ice Age Trail hikers might encounter “Hilda the Hiker” in Chippewa County, a giant beaver in Cumberland, or Mr. Ugg in Rib Lake. Depending on where they hike, they’ll also see an oversized duck, a giant bluegill, and even a bikini-wearing alligator along the Trail. That’s in addition to two not-so woolly mammoths, plane crash wreckage, a waving mannequin, and something known as the Hillbilly Hilton.
Hikers will also pass by the location of a “verified class-A” Bigfoot sighting as well as a spot where some of Sputnik crashed.
And that’s just the weird stuff.
The Ice Age Trail is also full of places where Wisconsin history comes alive, like the state’s only verified Underground Railroad stop in Milton, an Indian Agency House in Portage, the birthplace of the Ice Cream Sundae in Two Rivers, and the area where John Muir grew up in Marquette County.
The Trail passes brewery ruins, logging camp ruins, the former winter headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus, and the world’s only Pulp Wood Stacker.
There are unique natural wonders, too. From Turtle Rock and the Stone Elephant to 1.6-billion-year-old rocks, and the “Wisconsin Rock” (not to mention all the glacial landforms–eskers, drumlins, kames, and kettles, etc.–you’ll hike on top of or alongside of on the Ice Age Trail.)
Participants in the Mammoth Hike Challenge can choose to visit any of the 29 officially designated Ice Age Trail Communities located along the Trail, from St. Croix Falls to Sturgeon Bay. New Trail Communities for 2026 are Montello, Iola-Scandinavia, and Cumberland-Barronett.
Many small businesses within the Trail Communities offer Challenge participants “Trail Magic”, an incentive to patronize the business. Trail Magic ranges from buy-one-get-ones to special drinks and food items, discounts on purchases, and more.
Whitewater and Palmyra are both official Ice Age Trail Communities. Five Palmyra business and three businesses in Whitewater are participating in the Challenge by offering Trail Magic, which is fun.
The Challenge is free and open to people of all ages and abilities. Participants can complete their miles solo, or combine them with friends, family members or coworkers. “The Challenge is a GREAT group activity,” says Pierick. “Even if you don’t hike together, you can all work toward achieving the same goal!”
Bonus miles are available to make the Challenge achievable for everyone. They pair with hiking miles and are earned by attending Challenge events, becoming an Alliance member, visiting an extra Trail Community, volunteering on the Trail, and more.
“The goal is to have fun,” says Pierick. “And to experience and enjoy the amazing Trail we are so lucky to have in Wisconsin.”
For details about, and to register for, the Mammoth Hike Challenge, visit IceAgeTrail.org/Mammoth-Hike-Challenge.
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About the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. It traverses the state from St. Croix Falls in the west, to Sturgeon Bay in the east, going as far south as Janesville. One of 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail highlights the landscapes that were carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state. Approximately 78% of Wisconsin residents live within 30 miles of the Ice Age Trail.
About the Ice Age Trail Alliance
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is the nonprofit, member- and volunteer-based organization which works in partnership with the National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and local communities to conserve, create, maintain and promote the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The Alliance consists of 19 volunteer chapters, spanning the length of the Trail. For more information, visit IceAgeTrail.org.
The City of Whitewater, along with its comprehensive planning consultant, is pleased to announce the Whitewater Forward Comprehensive Plan Draft is now available on the City’s website for public review at https://engagerdg.com/whitewaterforward.
Community members are encouraged to review the draft and provide comments and feedback as the City and its consultants, RDG Planning & Design, work to incorporate community input into the final plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is intended to provide a long-term framework to help guide future growth, development, land use, and community priorities over the next 20 years. Community feedback is an important part of the planning process and will help inform the final document.
Residents, property owners, businesses, and other community members are encouraged to take the opportunity to review the draft and share their comments with the City.
Following the public review and comment period, the City and its consultants will evaluate the feedback received and make appropriate revisions to the draft. The final Comprehensive Plan will then be presented to the Plan and Architectural Review Commission and Common Council for consideration and final approvals.
Comments may be submitted through the Plan Website or to Mason Becker, Community Development Director, at: mbecker@whiteater-wi.gov.
The City appreciates everyone who has participated in the comprehensive planning process and encourages continued community involvement as the plan moves toward completion.
Registration is now open for the Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference happening December 15-16, 2026 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. This conference is for Wisconsin farmers and agriculture professionals to network and learn how to maximize nutrient efficiency, soil health, and water quality on their farms.
The WWASH Conference explores the intersection of on-farm research, soil health, and water quality with farmers and agriculture professionals through dynamic keynote speakers, panels, interactive breakout sessions, and thought-provoking roundtable discussions.
Conference Highlights
This year’s conference highlights include how to get involved in on-farm research and the latest innovations and technologies Wisconsin farmers are using. New this year is a “cover crop track” with three breakout sessions options – one for farmers thinking about trying them, one for farmers using them, but having issues, and one for grazing cover crops and advanced growers. Other noteworthy items include new roundtable topics such as manure compost, bale grazing studies, and tech for grazers, as well as an expanded poster session to include county conservation, demo farms, and Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program farms.
Keynote speakers include John F. Tooker, from the Pennsylvania State University Department of Entomology, with, “Leveraging Natural Enemies in Conservation-based Agricultural Systems to Control Insect and Slug Pests,” Steven Hall, from the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, UW-Madison, with, “Short- and Long- Term Steps to Decrease Nutrient Losses from Wisconsin’s Agricultural Lands,” and Steve Vavrus, Director, Wisconsin State Climatology Office, UW-Madison, who will present, “2026: A Smorgasbord of Extreme Weather.”
Pricing Structure for Two Day Registration
- Early Bird Discount: Sept 14–Oct 4 ($150)
- Regular: Oct 5–Nov 29 ($185)
- Late: Nov 30–Dec 12 ($210)
- Day-of ($250)
One-day rates and student rates are available, as well as an add-on dinner option (+$25).
Register at go.wisc.edu/WWASH. Registration includes one or two days at the conference and lunch each day. A hotel block is available at the Kalahari Resort with a discount until November 15.
Additional specifics found on the webpage: https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/registration-now-open-for-the-wisconsin-water-and-soil-health-conference-early-bird-discount-through-october-4/
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension–Walworth County.
Earning another conference win Thursday night has Whippet Soccer poised to finish conference play next week in a very good position. The rain never let up last night against Big Foot, but luckily, neither did your Whippets. Despite the gloomy weather, WHS got off to a flying start when Elijah Gutierrez opened the scoring in just the 3′ minute with a powerfully struck free kick that was too much for the keeper to handle. This early momentum boost managed to elevate Whitewater’s play and saw them largely dominate the first half. Big Foot had a few minutes of sustained possession, and with just 28 seconds remaining in the half, they were able to equalize.
WHS didn’t let up and came out even stronger and faster in the second half. With numerous chances either saved by the goalie, put just wide, or even off of the post, Whitewater looked like the team more likely to score. Finally, the deadlock was broken in the 66′ minute when Christian Aranda took a long throw that traveled almost all the way to the penalty spot. Christian’s throw found Evan Amundson who had a beautiful flick on header to Langdon Coburn who fired the ball into the roof of the net making the score 2-1. 4 minutes later, sustained pressure by Wesley Baker and Derick Martinez led to a mistake at the back where Big Foot conceded an own goal. Stand-out defensive performances from Frank Mbifi, Aaron Garcia, Anjay Magaña, and Hector Aranda helped to make sure the Chiefdogs never found their way back into the game.
Whippet Soccer ends their conference play next week Tuesday (10/6) when they host East Troy for Parents’ Night. WHS will also be honoring our seniors on Thursday (10/8) when we host Shoreland Lutheran. We hope to see you all there. Go, Whippets!
Article and Graphic Submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org
WHS Class of 1976 Reunion Aug. 15, 2026 at 841 Brewhouse, Whitewater
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser tganser33@gmail.com 608-718-0899
Front row L to R
Patty (Peterson) Nagel, Diana Deegan, Kathy (Stroupe) Doering-Kilkenny, Kim (Hartman) Taylor, Cindy (Ludeman) Speich, Steve Christophersen, Linda (Thies) Reed, Diane (Wolfe) Davis, Diane (Schlieve) Buhalog, Katie Parks, Vivian (Lilly) Deegan, Candy (Kaat) Wholey, Lori (Stewart) Brown, Teri Varney, Janelle (Keske) Roe
Back row L to R
Mike Killips, Curt Todd, Brad Wagner, Chris Todd, Brad Wiedenhoeft, Jane Sorensen, Scott Johnson, Jan (Harrop) Hillebrenner, Barb (Sievert) Astin, DeAnn (Williams) Preston, Mike Zorn, Rhonda (Dravis) Demos, Andy Ketterhagen, Ken Edmundsen, Bill Metzdorff, Jeff Krahn, Sharon Leastman, Dave Peterson, Rick Rogers, Debbie (Thorne) Meyers, Bill Hookstead, Joan (Smith) Schenning, Barb (Schreier) Schmidt, Bob O’Donnell, Rick Humphrey, Kent Taylor, Sue (Duerst) Earle, Gary Lyon, Terri (Ketterman) Stewart
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Well, the Milwaukee Brewers are in the playoffs once more and play their first post-season games this weekend. I don’t think they are prouder than the 1968 “Flying Red Horses” Kachel’s Kids team representing Ed’s Mobil station. Of course, Mobil had the flying red horse logo, hence the team name. I hope most of these boys are still around today. Note the gaze of Mae Kachel in the background; she and her husband organized Kachel’s Kids for many years.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(0093P, Whitewater Historical Society)
Steve Watson writes “Our winged friends like these dead trees for perching purposes.” Photos taken September 9-11, 2026.
Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing his “eagle eye” photography with us.
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Frank Barnes is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and UW-Whitewater. Barnes grew the men’s and women’s teams into a model of consistency and competitiveness accumulating more than 800 career wins over the course of 23 seasons at the helm of the Warhawk Tennis program. From 2010 through the 2025 campaign, the UWW men’s program was unbeaten in league play. On the women’s side, Barnes led the Warhawks to a streak of 130 consecutive victories against WIAC opponents leading to a streak of 18 straight league titles.
On the national scene, Barnes guided the Warhawk women to qualification and participation in the NCAA Division III Team Championship 17 seasons while the men made the national tournament 16 times from 2007-25. The Warhawks went on to advance to the Sweet 16 eleven times in that span. Over the course of his career, Barnes coached more than 45 individual national qualifiers, 33 All-Americans, 11 Academic All-Americans, 12 WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athletes and 76 Chancellor Scholar Athletes. Barnes was named the ITA National Coach of the Year in 2023-24 and was the Professional Tennis Registry National College Coach of the Year, across all divisions, in 2010. He has earned regional and conference coaching accolades 17 times and was selected as the Women’s Tennis Coach on the WIAC’s All-Time Team in 2012.
Barnes’ legacy goes well beyond the court. He has been lauded for his commitment to the sport of tennis and engagement in the community. Barnes has received multiple honors for outreach and has served on numerous committees. Additionally, Barnes created and continues to help maintain one of the top tennis camps and clinics in the nation, welcoming more than 700 youth tennis players to campus each summer.
Barnes will be recognized for his accomplishments along with the entire UW-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during halftime of the Warhawk football game on October 24 followed by the annual Hall of Fame banquet at the University Center’s Hamilton Room. Further information about the day’s events may be found here.
Additional Information on Barnes’ Career:
Barnes’ Bio | Retirement Announcement
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by UW-Whitewater Athletics.
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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