Out & About - June 2013
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Book features Polk County day-hiking trails Latest “Hittin’ the Trail” volume describes dozens of trails in county HUDSON – The latest book in the new “Hittin’ the Trail” guidebook series focuses on Polk County. “Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin,” by Rob Bignell, was released Tuesday, June 4. Describing several dozen trails, the ebook covers trails in every Polk County community including St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Amery, Clear Lake, Balsam Lake, Turtle Lake, Luck and Frederic. The cover is of Osceola Creek. “In Polk County, you can walk across 1-billion-year-old rock, dip your toes in lakes made from melted glaciers, walk along historic railroad lines that once crisscrossed the state and traipse through the only state park that doesn’t allow motor vehicles,” said Bignell, an avid hiker and author of the popular and critically acclaimed “Hikes with Tykes” guidebooks. “I’ve hiked in more than 30 of Wisconsin’s counties, and Polk County certainly ranks up there with the best.” The book separates trails by geographical area: the St. Croix River Area (St. Croix Falls and Osceola); North County (Frederic and Luck); Central Area (Balsam Lake and Milltown); and Southeastern County Area (Amery, Turtle Lake and Clear Lake). “While other hiking guidebooks might highlight a trail in Polk County, no one ever has written a book about all of the great trails there,” Bignell said. “That’s a major oversight. You could spend several weeks doing nothing but hiking the county’s varied trails.” Among Polk County’s many parks with trails are Interstate State Park, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Straight Lake State Park and the Osceola Bedrock Glades State Natural Area. Among its many renowned long trails are the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the Gandy Dancer Trail, the Stower Seven Lakes Trail, the Cattail Trail and the Clear Lake-Clayton Trail. The guidebook also includes a brief introduction to Polk County, offering information about its communities, major highways, geography and history. Synopses of trails in bordering counties are provided as well. A bonus section offers a primer on
Guide to Day Hiking with Kids” (2011) and “Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities” (2012). He’s also the author of three writing/self-publishing guidebooks, a novel and a collection of poetry. Bignell served as an infantryman in the Army National Guard and taught middle school students in New Mexico and Wisconsin. His newspaper work has won several journalism awards, from editorial writing to sports reporting. In 2001, The Prescott Journal, of which he served as managing editor, was named Wisconsin’s Weekly Newspaper of the Year. A Wisconsin native, Bignell now lives with his son in Hudson. “Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin” is available for purchase as an ebook at hikeswithtykes.com. For those without an e-reader, the book also can be downloaded to personal computers. - submitted
“Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin” marks Rob Bignell’s sixth hiking guidebook. He’s spent the last five years hiking trails across the Midwest and West Coast with his son, Kieran (in carrier). day hiking, which is when hikers spend only a few hours on short trails. “All of the trails described in the book are family-friendly,” Bignell said. “Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin” is the third installment in the new “Hittin’ the Trail” ebook series. The first book, “Day Hiking Wisconsin and Minnesota Interstate State Parks,” was released in April and “Day Hiking Grand County National Park” in May. Polk County also is heavily featured in Bignell’s recently released “Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northwest Wisconsin,” which describes 100-
plus trails in Polk, St. Croix, Barron, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland counties. A longtime hiker, editor and journalist, Bignell is uniquely qualified to discuss hiking. He and his son, Kieran, have hiked through old groves of redwood trees that soared 150 feet over their heads, peak-bagged mountains, rambled along ocean coastlines, searched fossil and gem trails and explored remote desert canyons, often all in the same month. Those experiences led to Bignell’s previously published hiking books, “Hikes with Tykes: A Practical
The new guidebook “Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking Polk County, Wisconsin” (Atiswinic Press) describes family-friendly trails across Wisconsin’s gateway to the north woods. The cover features Osceola Creek. - Special photos
Siren - your destination for summer music Fifth season of Music in the Park kicked off June 6 at Crooked Lake Park SIREN - Another summer season of Music in the Park began Thursday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Siren’s Crooked Lake Park band shell. This is the fifth year for this concert series. Held every Thursday evening from June 6 through Aug. 22, old favorites are being welcomed back along with two new group performances. Like the past few years, Intensive Care kicked off the program with their rock
‘n’ roll melodies and will be followed by the classical and pop music mix of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra on June 13. Returning after their initial 2012 Siren debut is Tangled Web on June 20 performing Americana and country music. For traditional Irish, Irish folk, folk rock and more, come June 27 for the Cattail String Band, a new entry to the Siren music scene. In July, celebrate the holiday with a special July 4 concert at 8 p.m. by the Siren Community Band. On July 11, Doug Crane and Al Parson will be playing an acoustic music variety. Clarion and Gregg Lane of Rex Cactus will present country, bluegrass, ‘50s and comedy on July 18. A cappella music in barbershop style is
scheduled for July 25 as Siren welcomes 3 Nice Girls and the Pink Ladies. To start Siren’s Summerfest event on Aug. 1, The Porch Dogs bring a mix of ‘50s and country music. Harmonic Balance is back on Aug. 8 with their vocal quartet and music variety. Dixieland jazz music is on the agenda for Aug. 18 by the Bill Bittner Memorial Dixieland Band. And, Siren is happy to have Sonny Winberg again close their summer concert series on Aug. 22. All concerts are free, and in case of inclement weather the scheduled performances will be moved to the Siren School auditorium. Local nonprofit organizations provide refreshments to purchase each
Siren’s Music in the Park kicked off Thursday, June 6 at Crooked Lake. - Special photo
week, with all sales proceeds going to that organization as a fundraiser. The Siren/Webster Rotary Club, village of Siren, Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, Siren Lions, Swansons on Crooked Lake and the many other Siren area businesses support this program. Sponsored by the Siren Chamber of Commerce, all 2013 Music in the Park details can be found at visitsiren.com or by calling 715-349-8399/800-788-3164. - submitted