Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

From Holland to Iron Ridge: Rhinelander police K-9 Odin will retire on May 1, after years serving Oneida County, helping find missing seniors, track suspects, and get drugs off the street, his handler says -- read the full story.

Pavement and bridge improvements: Governor Evers approved a $2.8 million US 51 upgrade between Nokomis and Woodboro. Work is underway this April, with a detour via US 8 and WIS 47 until Memorial Day -- see timeline and work scope.

Local air service resumes: Flights to Chicago will return from Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport on May 22, with United Express operated by SkyWest restoring service that many Northwoods travelers have been waiting for -- get all the details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Sip, shop, smile: When a Rhinelander afternoon calls for a pick-me-up that doubles as a little retail therapy, The Briar House nails it with a full espresso bar, bakery treats, and racks of women’s apparel, gifts, and books inside a 100-year-old house. Settle in, sip, then browse.

Small-town sips, big flavor: If this week calls for something better than fridge beer, Rhinelander Brewing Company pours fresh, local brews with zero pretense and plenty of hometown pride. Grab a stool, compare notes with your neighbor, and toast to Oneida County doing beer right.

Taco night solved: When dinner feels like a chore, Nacho's Mexican Grill Rhinelander delivers the kind of warm, cheesy comfort locals crave, with easy online ordering and plenty of crowd-pleasing Mexican classics. Treat yourself this week... your future self doing dishes will thank you.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

🍪 Spring Rummage & Bake Sale @ American Legion (Minocqua) | Wednesday (4/29) at 4:30 PM – Clear trunk space and swing by American Legion across from the post office for the Rummage and Bake Sale, where United Women in Faith deliver treasures and baked temptation. Fresh doughnut holes vanish fast, prices drop on the last day, and spree funds good work.

🌱 Spring Bowl Planter Class @ Hanson's Garden Village (Rhinelander) | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Channel your inner green thumb without tempting a late frost at this hands-on planter class. Build an early spring bowl with cold-tolerant blooms, twigs, and butterfly flair, then take it home. $42, plus tax, gets you instruction, container, soil, fertilizer, plants, and decor.

🍽 Taste of the Northwoods @ The Pines Event Center (Rhinelander) | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Bring your appetite and your judgy palate to The Pines for the Y’s reimagined gala, where local chefs battle for Best Bite, you cast votes, and celebrity judges ham it up. Expect auctions, raffles, dancing, and your indulgence funding scholarships, access, and community.

🎁 Kids Night: Mother's Day Gifts @ Earth Goods (Minocqua) | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Nothing says I love you, Mom like a slightly lopsided vase, and you get two blissful hours of quiet while they make it. Ages 4-10, $40 per child, snacks, a kid-friendly movie, and crafts like vases and plates included. Space is limited, register here: https://earth-goods-art-studio.square.site/.

🧹 Zip, Musky, and Sucker Springs Cleanup @ Zip Mountain Bike Trail (Minocqua) | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Zip, Musky, and Sucker Springs are due for a little spring cleaning, and yes, the sticks are winning. Pick a trail in the post, bring a rake, shovel, work gloves, water, and a decent attitude. We tidy, swap stories after, and feel smugly virtuous.

💐 Mother's Day Market @ The Hilgermann Center for Community (Rhinelander) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Make Mom think you planned ahead at the Mother's Day Market at the Hilgermann Center for Community. Knock out gifts in one stop with pop-up artists, plus favorites like Crate Diggers Music & More, and Childs Frame Co. Local, easy, and brownie points guaranteed.

🏇 Kentucky Derby Party @ Blind Pig (Rhinelander) | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Grab your biggest pink hat and your loudest bow tie, we're celebrating the Derby with drink tickets, games, prizes, and a pink hat showdown. Expect mint juleps, shrimp cocktail, and shrimp po' boys, the race is two minutes, the people watching lasts all afternoon.

This turnkey 3-bed, 3-bath condo fronts the sandy shores of iconic Minocqua Lake, fully furnished with weekly rentals allowed for investment potential. Hickory floors, custom cherry cabinetry, granite counters, and pantry storage elevate the open kitchen and living area that spills onto a lakeside patio. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a private deck, soaking tub, and shower. Walk to downtown.