Driftless Tribe #0008

Weekly Breakdown

January 22, 2025

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The Coldest Days and the Warmest Hearts

This week, winter arrived in full force, bringing the kind of bone-chilling cold that reminds us why mid-January marks the true heart of winter. Speaking of frigid weather, one small Driftless town holds a unique place in Wisconsin’s history for its record-breaking temperatures.

On January 30, 1951, Lone Rock recorded an astonishing −53°F earning the title of the coldest temperature ever recorded in the country. According to local reports, vehicles struggled to start, became frozen to the ground, and once started paint even flew off the hoods of cars driving that day due to the extreme cold.

The town proudly held this record for 45 years until February 1996, when Couderay, in northern Wisconsin, edged ahead with −55°F.

Although Lone Rock no longer holds the record, its frosty legacy endures. A billboard along Highway 14 still proclaims, “Welcome to Lone Rock: We are the coldest in the nation, with the warmest heart.” This sign is more than a nod to history—it’s a symbol of the community’s resilience and warmth, even in the harshest conditions. This spirit extends throughout the entire River Valley area.

But Lone Rock isn’t just known for its extreme cold. During the July 2012 heatwave, the town hit a sweltering 102°F. I remember it vividly— I spent that summer re-shingling my grandparents’ shed roof. Between the blazing sun and relentless heat, it felt like the hottest day of my life. There might have been more popsicles eaten than shingles installed..

Lone Rock is a town of weather extremes, but more importantly, it’s a place that embraces its history and its heart.

Moment in Time

Happenings

1/22

Viroqua, Library - Author Talk: Michael Day, “From Urban Indian to Wounded Knee, A Native American Story” Link

Elroy, Madden’s Irish Pub - Xtreme Bar Bingo Link

Sparta, Blue Collar Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia Link

Richland Center, Patchwork Acres - Winter Market Link

LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern - Open Jam Link

Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing - Trivia Night Link

1/23

Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery - Benefactor Bingo Link

Boscobel, Library - Creators Club: Vision Board 2025 Link

Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed - Open Jam Link

1/24

Bangor, Leo & Leona’s - Live with Bill Miller Link

Paoli, Hop Garden Brewing - Live with Bruce Edwin Link

LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern - Live with Midwest Voltage, Thundergoat, and Neck Wrung Link

Prairie du Sac, Vintage Brewing - Line Dancing Fundraiser Link

Wisconsin Dells, Pal’s Brewing - Live with New Normal Link

LaCrosse, LaCrosse Center - Riverfront Revolt Festival Link

Dodgeville, Duke’s - Live with Shekinah King Link

Wonewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar - Live with Erich Mobley Link

Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed - Live with Rayna Hess Link

Belleville, Sugar River Lanes - Karaoke with Molli-Okie Link

Viroqua, Historic Temple Theatre - Doctor Imposter Link

Dubuque, Spirits Bar & Grill - Live with Jesse Bauman Link

Spring Green, Arthur’s - Live with West on 12 Link

1/25

Baraboo, Al. Ringling Brewery - Illinois Takeover! By Taaysty Vuitton Link

Bangor, Leo & Leona’s - Live with Joe, Jackie, and Moriah Cody Link

LaCrosse, Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria - Cult Movie Night Link

Prairie du Sac, Wollersheim Winery - Port Wine Celebration, Live with Gin, Chocolate, and Bottle Rockets Link

Sparta, Blue Collar Bar and Grill - RCCW Professional Wrestling Link

Baraboo, Con Amici - Burns Night Link

Prairie du Sac, 590 Water St - Create Junk Journal with Mary Ringelstetter Link

Viroqua, Little Bird Plants - Greenhouse Get-Down! Live with Cass Magpie, Unicycle Michael, and The Zaz Link

Belleville, Al’s Dayton Place - Live with Girl Crush Duo Link

Platteville, The Gym Bar - Blind Draw Dart Tournament Link

Boscobel, Mt. Zion Pub - Live with Rick Thomas Link

Mineral Point, Eliza’s Lounge - Live with Meeker & Maiden Link

Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery - Live with Justin Raudebush Link

Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing - Comedy Show Link

Baraboo, Broken Bottle Winery - Hootin’ Leads to Hollerin’ Wine Walk - Live with Derek Buckley Link

New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Live with Mark Croft Link

Blanchardville, Rachel & Ray’s - Live with Richardson Acoustic Link

Wisconsin Dells, Showboat Saloon - Live with Ritch Henderson with Jordan Lee King Link

Mineral Point, Opera House - Live with Carrellee & The Earthlings Link

Baraboo, Frankie’s Bar - Pool Tournament Link

Baraboo, Broken Bottle Winery - Live with Derek Buckley Link

New Glarus, Dirty Dog Taphaus - Live with Marc Barnaby Link

Wonewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar - Live with Don Harvey Link

Wisconsin Dells, Dells Distillery - Live with BAMM Duo Link

LaCrosse, Pearl Street Brewery - Poses and Pints Link

Mauston, Shipwreck Bay - Family Ice Fisheree Link

Portage, Edgewater Home & Garden - Plant People’s Party Link

Cuba City, Doolittle’s - Karaoke Party Link

1/26

Baraboo, Frankie’s - Hot Stuff Party Link

Reedsburg, Corner Pub Brewery - Decorate a Sourdough Focaccia Link

New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Wine & Dessert Pairing Link

Sparta, American Legion - Chicken and Biscuits Link

Platteville, Elks Lodge - Pancake Breakfast Link

1/27

Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed - Bingo Link

Mauston, Legends - Xtreme Bar Bingo Link

Spring Green, Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret - Open Mic with Dylan Harris Link

Dodgeville, Dodger Bowl Lanes - Trivia Night Link

1/28

Lancaster, Library - Book Club: YOUR Favorite Book Link

We will check in again next week.

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