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Happy weekend, Central Wisconsin! In today’s edition: BBQ that hits tonight, a bird house stained glass workshop, a fish fry faceoff, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

BBQ that hits tonight: Whether your week needs tender ribs, slow-smoked brisket, or an easy crowd-pleaser, Parker John’s BBQ & Pizza delivers legit smoke, friendly vibes, and backup pies for the friend who doesn’t do BBQ. Comfort food that hits, no fuss, all flavor… the kind you crave on repeat.

Bird House Stained Glass Workshop @ K & P Customs LLC | Saturday (2/28) at 2:00 PM – This hands-on stained glass workshop has you crafting a 6 by 6 birdhouse panel, from foiling and burnishing to soldering, with materials provided. Beginner friendly, quietly addictive, and display-worthy. Plan for a couple hours, color options vary, and the cozy studio has a few steps — see the event listing.

National honor for patient care: Aspirus Wausau Hospital was named to the Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list earlier this month after analysis of more than 2,000 hospitals nationwide, spotlighting health care excellence in central Wisconsin — read the full story.

Behind the badge locally: Wausau Police Department is now offering a chance to observe a day on patrol to boost transparency and understanding, open to residents 18 and older with a required background check — see how to participate.

Hometown fish fry faceoff: Wausau Pilot & Review’s Wausau Area’s Best Fish Fry poll is open now through April 2. One vote per person will decide the winner and honor a favorite Friday tradition — get all the details.

Expanded options for travelers: Dreamscape Hospitality now manages two Stevens Point hotels after a February 3 transition, boosting local tourism with 215 rooms and stronger support for conventions and quick stays across Central Wisconsin — learn what’s changing and when.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Got debt? See if you qualify to pay up to 45% less
• This is the best home warranty (and it’s $150 off right now)
• This free tool makes it easy to find a financial advisor
• Over 62? Learn how to turn home equity into tax-free cash
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• Open a GoldCo account & get up to 10% in free gold/silver

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎭 Coffee & Curtain Call @ Grand Theater Wausau | Tuesday (3/3) at 9:00 AM – If your idea of morning theater is more coffee than jazz hands, swing by The Grand for Coffee & Curtain Call, a peek at Chicago’s load-in. Sip Kwik Trip brew, nibble a pastry, watch IATSE Local 470 work their magic, free with RSVP.

🧩 Puzzle Social @ Plover Branch Library | Wednesday (3/4) at 2:00 PM – If your brain craves a workout that does not require Lycra, this friendly puzzle social meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the Plover Branch Library’s lower level meeting room. Expect crosswords, logic grids, neighborly banter, and snacks, the holy quartet of midweek sanity.

🎶 Children’s Music Together Pop-up Class @ Bound to Happen Books | Wednesday (3/4) at 5:00 PM – Bound to Happen’s basement is hosting a donation-based Music Together pop-up for kids birth to five, and their brave adults, a sneak peek of the 9-week class. Expect songs, wiggling, and instrument play. Bring snacks, a favorite stuffy, and your best off-key enthusiasm.

🍷 Charcuterie and Wine Pairing Class @ Food + Farm Exploration Center | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – Upgrade snack time at charcuterie and wine class in Plover. Chef Ryan teaches arranging meats, cheeses, and fruit into an adult Lunchable, while Rich Neumann pairs your board with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. You leave with a wine glass, a board, and bragging rights.

👀 Slow Looking @ Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – Give your over-scheduled brain a free, guided hour of slow looking at select artworks, basically meditation with better scenery. Gentle prompts and conversation help you notice what you usually breeze past, cultivating attention, curiosity, and connection, no art degree or hushed whisper voice required.

🛍 Vintage Shop Hop: Up North Edition @ Artist & Fare | Friday (3/6) at 9:00 AM – Up North means two things, flannel and fabulous junk, and this hop has plenty of both. Wander shop to shop for vintage craft supplies, antique oddities, and the kind of treasures your grandma swore were useful. Pack patience, cash, and your best picker eye.

🎂 24 years of Prairie Sage Home @ Prairie Sage Home | Friday (3/6) at 10:00 AM – Pop into Prairie Sage Home as they toast 24 years in town. There’s cake, other goodies, discounts on select treasures, and door prizes, plus the Spring 2026 collections, everyday decor, and restocks of your go-tos. Come for dessert, leave with prettier shelves.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Central Wisconsin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 22°F – Low: 5°F – Precip: 79%

Snow after 9am. Mostly cloudy. High near 22, with temperatures falling to around 20 in the afternoon. North northwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 5. North wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 24°F – Low: 8°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.

Most popular house this week

Just outside Marshfield, this refined 3-bed, 2-bath ranch sits on 17 private acres with single-level ease and upscale finishes. A bright, open-concept kitchen and dining area anchors everyday comfort and elegant entertaining. Radiant in-floor heat and extra-wide hallways elevate accessibility. Outside, a 25-foot-deep private pond and gazebo headline acreage primed for recreation, nature trails, and hobby farming.

Take a peek inside →