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- Driftless Tribe #0017
Driftless Tribe #0017
Weekly Breakdown
Driftless Tribe Discount Card: It’s Happening!
Last week, we tossed out an idea—what if we created a Driftless Tribe Discount Card with deals at some of the best spots across the Driftless?
Hundreds of you responded… and over 80% gave us a big YES!
So—we’re making it happen. 🎉
We’re now reaching out to local restaurants, cafés, shops, and more to build a card that gives you exclusive, one-time discounts at 10+ local businesses.
Have a favorite local spot you think should be on the card? Just reply to this email and let us know!
Thank you for helping shape Driftless Tribe—we’re excited to bring this to life with you.
Driftless Trivia: Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s most iconic architects, was born in which Driftless Area town? |
Community Weekend Happenings
What’s on your agenda this weekend? We’d love to hear about it!
At Driftless Tribe, we’re all about fostering community, and one way we can do that is by sharing the amazing events and plans happening across the Driftless Area. Let us know what you’re up to this weekend by filling out the form below, and we’ll highlight a few in our next newsletter.
Community Submissions:
Susan from Alma: “Hiking (Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, Merrick State Park). I do not eat out much but love Sullivan's Supper Club.”
Emily from Tomah: “Brick Sip Haus in Tomah! Black and Tans for St. Patrick’s Day…”
Amy from Galena: “Scenic Art Loop's Monthly Art Drive, the first full weekend of each month. Visit artists and artisan businesses in the Driftless region.”
Moment in Time
Pepin Pickling Company, 1917 - Wisconsin Historical Society, WHI-52520
Driftless Roads & The Memories That Make Us Rich
The Driftless area has some of the most unique, winding, and scenic back roads in the world. These roads don’t just take you from place to place—they weave through rolling landscapes, touch river bends, and carve through deep valleys, each carrying its own story.
That’s why we’re kicking off the Backroads Series here at Driftless Tribe—a space to highlight the best drives in the region, from hidden gems to well-loved classics. And we want to hear from you. Got a favorite Driftless backroad? Share it with us using the link below—we’ll feature reader favorites in upcoming editions.
To start things off, I’m sharing one of my own.
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A Drive Back in Time: County Highway I
A long time ago between the end of high school and the start of summer, I found myself in a familiar teenage predicament—I had no summer job. Honestly, I didn’t want one either. I imagined a summer of sleeping in, staying up late with friends, and letting the days putz by.
But my dad had other plans. Begrudgingly, I was “hired” at minimum wage by my grandpa to help with odd jobs on his retired pig farm in Montfort. It wasn’t glamorous work—replacing a metal roof on an outbuilding, painting weathered barn doors, mowing, and tearing down old pasture fences. I worked mostly alone, while my grandfather, then in his 80s, often relaxed on the porch, offering instructions when needed.
Every morning, I’d wake up at 6 AM, climb into my 1994 Plymouth Voyager, and drive to Montfort for the day’s chores. The work was tough, the mornings too early, and at first, I resented it. But over time, something shifted. The quiet rhythm of the work—and the drives that started & ended each day—became something I started to appreciate.
Many details of that summer have faded, but County Highway I between Clyde and Highland remains vivid. That road became part of my daily rhythm, a stretch of pavement I drove hundreds of times. It’s quiet, almost meditative—a ribbon of road winding through creeks, farmland, and bluffs. There are small bridges over twisting streams, gentle curves leading up and over ridges, and stretches where the world seems to disappear into the Driftless landscape.
I don’t drive that route as often anymore, but when I do, it’s a time machine. The nostalgia of those mornings, the lessons learned alongside my grandfather, and the way that summer shaped me—it’s all wrapped up in that winding road.
And that’s why I recommend it to you. Go out of your way to take the drive. Maybe it’ll remind you of where you’ve been—or where you’re headed.
County I - between Clyde & Highland Wisconsin
Happenings
WEDNESDAY 3/26
THURSDAY 3/27
FRIDAY 3/28
Baraboo, Wiscocktail Lounge – One Year Anniversary Bash Link
LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern – Live with The Brothers Almanac Link
LaCrosse, Omni Center – 2025 Home Show Link
Baraboo, Nautical Coffee Co – March Book Swap Link
Baraboo, Baraboo Civic Center Gymnasium – Kids Rummage Sale Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Bingo
Cassville, Neighborhood Slush – Indoor Ice Fishing Tournament Link
Onalaska, American Legion – Live with Daddy’s Girls Link
Winona, Two Fathoms Brewing – Karaoke Link
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel – Live with Lou Shields Link
LaCrosse, Rivoli Theatre – No Man’s Land Film Festival Link
Spring Green, Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret – Karaoke Link
Winona, No Name Bar – Live with Afflatus, Max & The Fellow Travelers and Simon Cropp Link
Belleville, Sugar River Lanes – Karaoke Link
Boscobel, Mt Zion Pub – Live with The Guthries Link
Mineral Point, Opera House – Live with Jake Blount Band Link
New Glarus, Dirty Dog Taphaus – Karaoke Link
Viroqua, LuSa Organics – Community Apothecary Meet Up Link
SATURDAY 3/29
Paoli, Seven Acre Dairy Co - Spring Break Celebration Link
Ontario, Community Center - Community Club Fundraiser
LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern - Rockin’ for Rebecca Fundraiser Link
Cashton, Wildflower and Wren - Flowers and Friends Link
Arkdale, Buske’s Bighorn Bar and Grill - Spring Fever Poker Run Link
LaCrosse, LaCrosse Center - Ho-Chunk Nation Founders Day Powwow Link
Osseo, Jamie’s Last Resort - Live with SAGE Link
Viroqua, Historic Temple Theatre - Live with Steep Canyon Rangers Link
Coon Valley, Stockyard Grill & Saloon - Live with Bryce Thomaschefsky Link
Viroqua, Library - Mindfulness Basics Workshop Link
Baraboo, Con Amici - Live with The Hip Replacements Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery - Live with Gem City Sideshow Link
Belleville, Seven Acre Dairy Co - Sauna & Brunch Link
Sparta, American Legion - Veterans Benefit Link
Bangor, Leo & Leona’s - Live with Molly Maguires Link
Monroe, Spilled Grapes Wine Bar - Murder Mystery Night Link
Winona, Arts Center - Live with Ann Reed & Dan Chouinard Link
Baraboo, Tumbled Rock - Live with Tom Freund Link
Winona, No Name Bar - Live with Dead Amsterdam Link
Spring Green, Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret - Live with The Driftless Revelers Link
Sparta, Quilt Corner - Beginner Rope Bowl Class Link
Baraboo, Baraboo Bluff Winery - Tastings Link
Spring Green, General Store - Live with The Instigators Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing Co - Comedy Show Link
Wonewoc, Corkscrew - Live with The Guthries Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard - Live with Doug Mahlum Link
New Glarus, Dirty Dog Taphaus - Live with Bruce Edwin Link
Belleville, Sugar River Lanes - Live with Richardson Acoustic Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Live with Mark Croft & Jon Vriesacker Link
Baraboo, Broken Bottle Winery - Live with Derek James Link
Richland Center, Library - Library Luau Link
Belleville, Sugar River Lanes - EMS Meat Raffle Link
Belleville, JonnO’s - Live with Two County Lines Link
Osseo, Paradise Pines - Live with The Last Minute Heroes Link
Platteville, Dennys Char Bar - Live with Last Ride Link
Winona, Visions Event Center - DAC’s 18th Annual Auction & Casino Night Link
Winona, American Legion - Hearts & Heritage Fundraiser Link
Warrens, Bogs Edge Brewing Company - Live with Time Out Band
SATURDAY 3/30
Paoli, Hop Garden Brewing - Live with Two County Lines Link
Cobb, Thirsty Farmer - Bingo Sunday Funday Link
Platteville, Main Street - Rotating Art Reception Link
Baraboo, Tumbled Rock Winery - Live with Cruz Contreras Link
Cross Plains, KurNiki’s - Live with Richardson Acoustic Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Live with Dusty Road Duo Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard - Live with Jaggedease Link
Wisconsin Dells, Showboat Saloon - Live with My Politic Link
Monday 3/31:
Tuesday 4/1:
We will check in again next week.
Let us know any events / establishments you would like to be added to this list via IG @driftlesstribe or email [email protected]
If someone forwarded this to you, time to make the leap and join the Tribe!
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