On March 19th the Good Thyme Restaurant in Washburn, Wisconsin, was completely destroyed by fire.  Owner Renee Holman lived above the restaurant and lost all her personal possessions, despite prompt action by the Washburn Fire Department.  Adjacent businesses were spared, thanks to the efforts of those who responded. Good Thyme has been an annual participant in the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce-sponsored "Chequamegon Chefs Exhibition".  Good Thyme employed a significant number of Washburn residents. A relief fund has been established at Bremer Bank to assist Renee in recovering from this loss. Donations may be made by by visiting the Good Thyme/Holman Family Fire Relief Fund web site (http://www.goodthymewashburn.com/).  Donations may also be mailed to: Good Thyme Bistro & Caterin... 04/04/2008

Challenger Ralph Brzezinski easily defeated incumbent Washburn Mayor Irene Blakely on Tuesday. Brzezinski's campaign centered on economic development and bringing jobs to the area.  Blakely was seen by some voters as being anti-development and anti-business.  Her opponent won the election by a margin of 157 votes, out of a total of 905 votes cast in the spring election. Blakely is credited with the adoption of a resolution making Washburn an eco-municipality.  During her two terms in office, she presided over the completion of Washburn's comprehensive plan.   The new mayor has his work cut out for him.  Washburn voters also rejected a school referendum request on Tuesday, by 446 votes.          A second home is an affordable luxury. Discover why a vacation retreat on Madeline Island is ... 04/03/2008

I discovered Bayfield County Road C entirely by accident one day when I found myself in a hurry to get to an appointment near Herbster, Wisconsin.  Last week I went back and took a more leisurely trip across the Chequamegon Peninsula on County C and discovered some of the most beautiful country in this part of the State of Wisconsin. County C connects Washburn, Wisconsin (via 8th Avenue) with the north-facing town of Cornucopia, on Lake Superior.  The trip takes about twenty minutes, but I'd encourage you to take a closer look and stop along the way. Nearly midway across the peninsula, about eight miles from Washburn on County C, you'll encounter Mount Valhalla and the Valhalla Trail Lodge.  The lodge offers snowmobile and ski trails, ATV routes, snowshoeing and other winter recreation,... 11/11/2007

Picture a bustling northern Wisconsin town with good schools, friendly neighbors and an unhurried pace of living.  Washburn is a little-known gem of a town on the south shore of Lake Superior and one of those out-of-the-way places that should not be missed. Washburn Mayor Irene Blakely describes the town as "the nation's first eco-municipality".  The town has declared a commitment to issues of sustainability and halting the spread of global warming.  Some Washburn attractions that I highly recommend: Mt. Valhalla Recreation Area is located on County Highway C, west of the town of Washburn.  The recreational area offers cross-country ski and snowmobile trails, plus ATV, hiking and bike trails. The Washburn Lakeshore Parkway and Walking Trail is a 1.3 mile long non-motorized hiking trail... 10/27/2007

  Washburn's Stagenorth Community Theater is off to a roaring start since opening in July!  The theater will present "Gypsy", a show about the life and memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, from November 1-4 in Washburn, Wisconsin. The beautiful new 150-seat theater allows for theater in an intimate setting, and the building features the Stage Door bar, with bar service, snacks and wireless Internet.  There's an outdoor patio for relaxing during summer months. Artistic Director Jan Lee comes to Stagenorth with two decades of experience in acting, singing, writing, directing, designing and producing.  The theater was built to accomodate not only theatrical productions, but also concerts, recitals and film.  Stagenorth is situated just blocks away from the shores of Lake Superior!   10/23/2007

  The Chequamegon Bay area of northwestern Wisconsin has been the keeper of a secret over the better part of the past century.  Behind stone and iron gates and high fences along Highway 13, that well-kept secret was the Barksdale Works, an explosive plant owned and operated by DuPont and created to serve the wartime and industrial needs of the United States. During the first decade of the 1900s, the DuPont corporation purchased nearly two thousand acres south of the industrial town of Washburn, Wisconsin.  Originally, this was the largest dynamite plant in the mid-United States. The Barksdale Works was situated almost midway between Ashland and Washburn, Wisconsin.  The plant itself was located less than half a mile from Lake Superior, surrounded by a high fence and barbed wire perimete... 10/23/2007

The Chequamegon Bay Arts Council (CBAC) is presenting its annual "Gathering" through October 30, at the Washburn Cultural Center in Washburn, Wisconsin.  The Gathering is a juried exhibition of fine arts and crafts by area artisans.  Judges will select winning art works in multiple categories at the close of the exhibit.  This popular event attracts artists and arts afficionados from all over northwestern Wisconsin each year. Also available for public viewing through October 29th will be an exhibit of CBAC members' works on the first floor level of the Washburn Cultural Center.    The Washburn Cultural Center is located at 1 East Bayfield Street, in Wasburn, Wisconsin.  For more details, please contact the Washburn Cultural Center office, at 715-373-5591. 10/23/2007

Visit picturesque Washburn, Wisconsin this weekend and experience Washburn's "Brownstone Days" festival!  The festival commemorates Washburn's historic contribution to the brownstone quarry industry over many decades.  Brownstone quarried in Washburn was used in the construction of many prominent historic structures across the United States. The Brownstone Days events calendar features a Raffle & Dance on Friday, July 27th, sponsored by Washburn Volunteer Ambulance Services.  The dance will be held between the Ambulance Services building and the Volunteer Fire Department building, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday the 28th, there will be a Flea Market on Washington Avenue, a 10K "Firechief Run", a carnival in the Chamber of Commerce lot, an ice cream social, hot dogs at the IGA and Fir... 07/25/2007