Rome, Wisconsin has an incredible array of natural resources - native prairies, vast green forests of pine, oak savannas, marshy ponds, bountiful lakes, and prehistoric sand dunes. 

Each year, thousands of people make the most of what nature has provided as they fish, hike, bike, boat, ski, bird watch, and a thousand other things, making Rome one of the most “outdoorsy” places in the country. 

It’s no secret that one of the most popular outdoor activities is hunting. Wisconsin’s waterfowl hunters are some of the nation's most dedicated and involved conservationists. Small game hunters, the same thing. And white-tailed deer - Wisconsinites can’t get enough.

Wisconsin has 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, 15,000 lakes, and more than 5 million acres of wetlands. This may be the number one reason that those of us who live here love it so much, and those who visit come back time after time.

We play on it. We swim in it. We drop a line and we fish in it. And of course, we drink it and bathe in it. Luckily, there is an abundance of it now, and forever. Right?

Wrong.

The truth is, like every resource on the planet, if we don’t protect it from overuse or misuse, it won’t be here tomorrow. And the problem is, we, as humans, sometimes don’t think about tomorrow. That’s why the rivers and streams, lakes, and wetlands are not as plentiful and healthy as they once were.

As summer gently gives way to autumn, nature stages one of its most breathtaking transformations. The once-green canopies of trees become a mosaic of red, orange, and gold, painting the landscape in hues that seem almost too vivid to be real. This annual spectacle never fails to impress. And though we may be saddened by the impending end to summer, we can’t wait for yet another new masterpiece of nature's artistry.
And it’s not just a feast for the eyes. One can smell the falling leaves as they dance in the crisp cool air. Each breath feels clean and refreshing, as if the world has been scrubbed anew. In the midst of this seasonal shift, there’s a profound beauty that encourages us to slow down and just enjoy the nature that surrounds us - especially in beautiful Rome, Wisconsin. 

Fall golf might just be the best golf — but it doesn’t last forever…

It’s been a marvelous fall, weatherwise, and the golf courses here in Rome, Wisconsin are rewarding us with some of their best playing conditions of the year. Sure the ferns in the woods, (where I tend to spend a little too much time), have turned brown on the tips, and the oak leaves  and pine needles are letting go one by one at an incredible clip, but temperatures continue to cooperate and the grass continues to grow. So, we play as much golf as we can. In fact, some of us, almost subconsciously, start to play a little more often. Maybe even everyday.

Why? Because just like the squirrel that scurries back and forth across the fairway storing up nuts, we know that our days are numbered. And that number gets smaller with every flip of the calendar. So, we grab our clubs, put on a jacket, and tee it up again, and again, enjoying every round, because fall golf satisfies in ways that summer golf can’t. 

Maybe we’re buried in spreadsheets and meetings. Maybe it’s soccer games and grocery stores. Housework and homework. Or maybe we simply don’t know where to go. Whatever it is, it’s time to get our priorities in order and go for a hike.

And you’re definitely in the right place if you’re in Rome, Wisconsin, because Rome is a hiker’s paradise. With dedicated trails criss-crossing the hills, prairies, and sand dunes, not to mention the Town Center, it’s pretty easy to make hiking part of your regular routine. 

Feeling out of shape? Not to worry. There’s a trail for every skill level - whether you’re just now getting off the couch for the first time, or your closet looks like a Patagonia showroom - there’s a trail for you.  

In recent years, there has been an increased loss and disturbance of insect populations at breeding sites and all along avian migration routes. The transformation of natural spaces like forests and grasslands by intensive agriculture and urban development continue to negatively impact insect populations. Pesticides and herbicides also add to the elimination of insects, which in turn reduces the survival and reproductive rates of virtually all bird species.

So, this year, The World Migratory Bird Day campaign will stress the need for proactive conservation measures. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and where possible, switching to organic farming. Other measures include maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation which provide food and shelter for not just birds, but many other creatures, big and small.

Kayak. What a fun word to say. Kayak. Have you ever wondered where it originated? Probably not, but I’m about to tell you anyway.

The word kayak comes from an Inuit word meaning “man-boat” or “hunting boat.” Long, long ago, the Inuits of Greenland used kayaks made from animal skins stretched over wooden or whale-bone frames for transportation, hunting, and fishing. Fast forward a bunch of years and the kayak has morphed into a sleek, polyethylene bullet of a boat that’s not really used for hunting or as our main mode of transportation anymore.

But kayaking is one of today’s most popular watersports. It provides you with opportunities to go places and experience things you couldn’t otherwise. Kayaking is unique in that you can paddle your way through shallow streams, rivers, and creeks leaving bigger boats behind gawking with envy. Or you can cruise the lake - along the shore or right down the middle - at your own leisurely pace.

Whether you're an experienced ornithologist or a casual observer, Rome, Wisconsin is the perfect destination for bird watching. In fact, Rome received the coveted designation as an official Bird City in 2016 and today, people from just about everywhere come with their binoculars and notepads to see birds of every feather.

Picture this; you’ve driven four hours to vacation in an area that is brimming with things to do and see. You’ve heard so much about it, but you really don’t know where to start. Where to stay. Where to play. Where to eat.

Good thing there’s a group of dedicated people whose sole purpose is to help people like you make the most of your time here. So, you look up their address on your phone. GPS brings you there as she always does, but you drive right by. Turn around and drive by again. And again. The place you're looking for isn’t here. Instead, there’s a real estate office.

Darn GPS.

Then from the back seat, one of the kids shouts out, “there it is,” pointing to a sign just below the realtor's sign. GPS was right, after all. The welcome center is actually located inside the real estate office.

Like many small town libraries, the Rome Library is a cornerstone of the community, weaving itself into the very fabric of local life. Within its walls, a treasure trove of resources—from books and digital media to educational programs and community events. The library is not merely a repository of books, but a dynamic space where curiosity is nurtured, literacy is championed, and lifelong learning is made accessible to all. But here’s the deal. The Rome Library would not be the wonderful resource we all enjoy today if not for the ongoing efforts of another dedicated group of individuals calling themselves Friends of the Library.

It’s not easy to sustain anything for 125 years. Times change. People change. Things that once were, are no longer. And yet, there are, of course, organizations with incredible staying power that beat the odds and go on for who knows. Maybe forever. One such organization, celebrating its 125th anniversary, is the Wisconsin Trapshooting Association (WTA), the state-wide organization tasked with supporting and growing the sport of trapshooting.

No doubt, performances from the area’s favorite artists and special events will be the obvious draw. But it became evidently clear, on this grand first night, that this new addition to The Town of Rome and the Rome Town Center will serve as another great place for friends, family, and the community to come together. To sing along - in tune, or not, but who cares. Dance like nobody’s watching, but we all are. Or simply socialize and share stories of interest. Or maybe just stories.

And to think, it all started with the playing of a single note from a band called Southbound.

Thank goodness for books and bookworms. And thank goodness some of these bookworms are part of an organization here in Rome called Romemakers. Because it’s Romemakers who brought us one of Rome’s most cherished points of interest; the Lester Public Library.

Back in 1984, bringing a library to Rome was an obsession of Mary Bolskey, a 40 year member of Romemakers, Charlotte Van Alstine, and Mike Stankiewwicz, a Town of Rome board member. And after a yeoman's effort with countless milestones, hurdles, and small victories, Rome had a library to call its very own.

I was recently asked to describe my perfect day in Rome, and I thought, oh that’ll be easy. But then, with my laptop in hand I started thinking, it’s not easy at all. I had a real case of writer’s block. I just sat and stared at the screen and didn’t know where to start. Not because I couldn’t think of anything, but, rather, because I was overloaded with all the things there are to see and do.

But as I learned early on, when there’s nothing but a blank page staring back at you, just walk away. Take a break. Give your brain a rest. So, that’s what I did. I went and poured myself another cup of coffee and wolfed down a donut, and that’s when it hit me; that’s how I’ll start my perfect day.

And with that, the rest just flowed.

Ask any hardcore Wisconsinite to list their favorite things, and you’ll undoubtedly hear things like cheese curds, Brandy Old Fashioneds, and of course, the Packers. Oh sure, there are many more, and some might disagree, but there are two things that have been on everybody’s list since the first cheesehead came over on the boat from Germany. You guessed it, beer and brats.

Right next door to Kwik Trip, there’s a little shop that otherwise might go unnoticed, that is so full of goods and services, you’d expect it to be ten times its actual size. Welcome to Rome Outdoors. A store that fills the void left behind by Pritzl’s with everything from coolers to hats and gloves to fishing nets to fatheads, suckers, and chubs. 

That’s right, if you’re looking for live bait, they got it. Fishing rods? They’re there. Boat and ATV batteries? T-shirts? Hardware? Keys? Yup, It’s all there. Even RV and marine toilet paper!

With an unusually warm December and January, the winter landscape gave us nothing but shades of browns and grays. Any snow that fell melted almost as fast as it came down. Ice on the lakes was opaque and slushy and safe only for the foolhardy.

Winter activities in and around Rome, Wisconsin were being canceled left and right. Even the annual SnoBlast Winter Celebration at Lake Arrowhead was in jeopardy of being a total bust.

But thanks to the thoughtful planners and coordinators who did an amazing job of outsmarting Old Man Winter, there was a whole host of activities not dependent on his cooperation. And fun was had by all. Just like always.

Oh sure, some of the events had to be canceled - like the lawnmower races, ice bowling, and snow golf - while others were moved indoors, but nobody seemed to mind.

Located right next to the gazebo, it’s easy to find, especially since the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee greets your senses even before you get out of your car. It wafts through the air, enticing you to step inside and experience the goodness that awaits. But this delightful little shop isn't just a bakery. It's a journey back in time. A place that brings back memories, and memories are made.

There are two types of people in this world: those who do all they can to escape cold weather and those who thrive in it.

If you’re the latter, chances are you’ve discovered snowmobiling. And if you have, you know it’s impossible to avoid the forevermore lure that now confronts you as soon as the leaves start changing and the temp starts falling.

It’s inevitable. It catches you. You can’t resist the pull. Like a panda to bamboo, a pirate to rum, or a honeybee to a black-eyed Susan, snowmobiling is an addiction. An all-around obsession. And those who are afflicted are not ashamed to admit it.

What an interesting name; Hoozels. 

Wondering where it came from? Don’t try to look it up online, cuz it isn’t there. All you’ll find is an invitation to visit and ask your server.

So, that’s what we did. We asked Ali, and she was happy we did, and happy to answer. Sorry, but you’ll have to do the same, because it’s a story best told by them.