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Hi Oneida County, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Norwood Pines supper club, flights to a major hub resume, and maple syrup making with a take-home kit + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Wisconsin drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Rustic romance meets Northwoods tradition: Tucked among pines in Minocqua, Norwood Pines Supper Club may be Wisconsin’s most enchanting dinner spot, with cozy wood interiors and favorites like calamari and a bourbon glazed pork ribeye — explore the menu and ambiance.

Connections back on track: Flights from Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport to Chicago O’Hare will return May 22, with United Express service operated by SkyWest Airlines, restoring a key connection for Northwoods travelers — see when flights resume.

Craftsmanship and community converge: Island City Acoustics will open in downtown Minocqua this summer, with owners building a beginner-friendly hub featuring open mics, jam sessions, and a Norwegian pine banjo — read the full story.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Share a potluck, discover Northwoods wildlife
• Discover seasonal adventures on Raven Trail
• Craft a Spring Break mini garden

💎 This week’s top finds

Save room for pie: Leif’s Cafe pours warm coffee and plates apple, cherry, or blueberry pie that tastes like a neighbor baked it. After errands or dinner, a fresh slice waits, simple, unfussy, and just right for the week.

Small diner, big cravings: Dinky Diner is back downtown with scratch-made breakfasts, homemade sausage gravy, and a Northwoods Friday fish fry. Ideal for a low-key catch-up or a quick solo bite, it keeps things comfy and classic when you need it most. Bring your appetite, not a plan.

Shed dreams, delivered: From lake toys to snowblowers, abuilding4you brings North Star Portable Buildings to your yard… sheds, cabins, garages, and more, with local know-how and a handy 3D designer to plan it. Their Minocqua display shows what suits Northwoods life, so clearing a spot suddenly feels obvious.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 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.

🍷 The Art of Pertinace Wine Tasting @ Mary Kate’s Wine Bar (Eagle River) | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:00 PM – Whether you can pronounce Pertinace like a Piemonte pro or you just nod at the tasting notes, this curated wine flight is the good kind of homework. Expect thoughtfully poured reds and whites, small-batch stories, and zero snobbery. Swirl, sip, judge quietly, repeat.

🌿 Behind the Scenes Greenhouse Tour @ Hanson’s Garden Village of Rhinelander, WI | Friday (3/20) at 11:00 AM – Shake off cabin fever with a free behind-the-scenes greenhouse tour to peek at 2026 plant babies, ask spring questions, and see production in action. Wear boots, we’ll be in and out on snow, ice, or mud; office has seeds, soil, bare-root preorders, not plants.

🥚 Sensory Friendly Night @ Hodag Dome (Rhinelander) | Friday (3/20) at 5:00 PM – Think egg hunts without the stampede sound good? The Hodag Dome is hosting a free, sensory friendly night for families impacted by autism and other disabilities, with a mellow hunt, welcoming staff, and space to breathe. Real quality time, no overwhelm, just happy faces.

🍁 Maple Syrup Making @ Trees For Tomorrow (Eagle River) | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Ready to tap into the good stuff, literally? Learn maple syrup making at Trees For Tomorrow, adults 18+ only, pre-registration required, $55 per person or $70 per couple, and you go home with a sap collection kit, bragging rights, and pleasantly sticky memories.

🐰 Bunny Brunch Party @ Imperial Village Clubhouse (Woodruff) | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Bunny brunch, but make it neighborly, at the Imperial Estates Clubhouse in Woodruff. Think potluck plates, mimosas, and optional suncatcher crafting, no one will judge you for sipping and supervising. Bring a dish if you’re feeling generous, RSVP, and expect prices from $25 to $60.

📸 Photopoetry @ Minocqua Public Library | Saturday (3/21) at 1:00 PM – Take a breather from streaming, slip into the library’s Reading Room for John Bates reading his poetry, followed by the Lakeland Area Photo Club unveiling photos sparked by his lines. Words and pictures finally get along, and the exhibit hangs around for a second look.

🎻 Chamber Music @ Campanile Center for the Arts (Minocqua) | Sunday (3/22) at 2:00 PM – Need an afternoon where your shoulders drop and the music does the talking? Flutist Dr. Jacob Roseman and pianist Dr. Molly Roseman deliver a matinee of chamber gems, expressive artistry, and close-up sparkle. Intimate, beautifully played, and blissfully free of small talk.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Oneida County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 29°F – Low: 8°F – Precip: 100%

Snow and blowing snow. Cloudy. High near 29, with temperatures falling to around 27 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 15 to 21 inches possible. Later: Snow and blowing snow. Cloudy, with a low around 8. North wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 14°F – Low: 1°F – Precip: 93%

Snow and blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. North northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Later: A chance of snow before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Most popular house this week

This fully furnished 4-bed, 2-bath Lake George condo sits on a 400+ acre playground for fishing and boating in Rhinelander. Ownership includes dedicated pier space, plus the boat and lift. Generous living areas and ample sleeping quarters make hosting simple. Turn-key and low maintenance, it blends Up North charm with direct water access and rental-ready appeal.

Take a peek inside →