Good Morning, Fitchrona!

Did you know that this week hosts a holiday of great importance—National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day? It’s the third Friday of December, and let’s face it, it’s really just a popularity contest for the funniest or most absurdly light-up, glittering, and over-the-top sweaters.

The Focus will be the highlight of your Monday morning - something you can enjoy in under 5 minutes with your coffee ☕︎ !

In today’s Focus:

• New referral program!

• Attention All Artists Big & Small

• Fitchburg Shines Bright

Let’s fill our cups!

-Liv - Fitchrona Focus Founder

New Fitchrona Focus Referral Program

We’re on a mission to help you connect with everything that makes Fitchburg and Verona special—amazing events, talented makers, and the local businesses that give our community its unique vibe. We believe our corner of the world has so much to offer, and we’re here to make sure no one misses out.

But we can’t do it alone! That’s where you come in. Our new referral program is a way for you to share the love—and earn a little something in return.

See the Check It Out section below for the full details!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Last Week’s Highlights

Verona Area School District - City Banner Project

2025 Verona Banner Art Contest: A Creative Call to Action for Local Artists

Verona — Local artists, it’s time to showcase your talent! The Verona Area Education Foundation (VAEF) and the City of Verona are excited to announce the 2025 Verona Banner Art Contest. This 8th annual contest invites artists of all ages to create designs that will adorn street pole banners on South Main Street in Verona this coming spring. Yes, we also can’t wait for spring & warm weather again.

This year’s theme, Design the Cover of Your Own Story, encourages artists to channel their personal creativity and unique perspectives into their submissions. The deadline for entries is January 17, 2025, and participants can drop off their work at the VASD offices or email it to [email protected].

The winning design will also be featured on mugs and t-shirts. To extend the banners’ legacy, retired designs will be transformed into functional art pieces, such as tote bags and aprons, all of which will be available for purchase.

The banner program plays a vital role in supporting education. Funds raised through the program allow VAEF to award grants for innovative and impactful learning experiences in the Verona Area School District. To date, over $110,000 in grants have been provided to district educators.

Submit your design and help bring Verona’s streets to life with art and inspiration!

For submission details, visit the VAEF website.

Holiday Of Lights

Fitchburg — This past weekend, the Fitchburg Holiday Lights Tour kicked off with Get Festive at Agora on Friday, December 13th, a holiday party for all ages.

All weekend, homes and businesses showcased stunning light displays to celebrate the season. Visitors toured the locations from December 13th to 15th and voted for their favorites! In case you missed it, see the participation map for addresses to check out some lights over the next few weeks.

The weekend also featured holiday activities, unique shopping deals, and festive dining options, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

-Remember to responsibly recycle any burnt-out holiday string lights you come across. Check out our previous article for tips on how to properly dispose of them.

HAPPENINGS

There are too many events to feature here! Check out FitchronaFocus.com for all happenings & details.

• Monday, 12/16

  • 🖍️ DIY Pop Up Cards @ Fitchburg Library

  • 🎻 UW Russian Folk Orchestra @ Verona Public Library

• Tuesday, 12/17

  • 💍 Willow & Weld Jewelry @ Wonder Studio Kindermusik

  • 🤔 Trivia Night @ Seminole Tap, Me & Julio

  • 🎄 Cookies & Happy Trees & Verona Public Library

• Wednesday, 12/18

  • 🤸 Youth open gym @ A Wellbeing Space

  • 🤔 Trivia @ Rusty Bee, Delta Beer Lab

  • 🎵 Live Music: Joe Iaquinto @ Paddy Mac’s

  • 🎨 Water Color Wednesday @ Four Winds Farm

  • 🔥 Pinecone Fire Starters @ Fitchburg Library

  • 🧘 Pints & Pilates @ Hop Haus

• Thursday, 12/19

  • 🎄 Holiday Music Video Bingo @ Seminole Tap

  • 🧩 Pairs Speed Puzzle Contest @ Delta Beer Lab

  • 🎅 DIY Yarn Gnomes @ Fitchburg Library

  • 🧂 Smart Use of Salt in Verona @ Verona Public Library

• Friday, 12/20

  • 🎵 Live Music: Taylor & Von @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🔔 Single Jingle @ The Loxley

  • 🎵 Live Music: Shekinah King Holiday Show @ Hop Haus

  • 🎵 Live Music: Hugo Espinosa @ Bailey’s Run Vineyard and Winery

• Saturday, 12/21

  • 🎤 A Dean Martin Holiday Tribute @ The Loxley

  • 🎵 Live Music: Top Shelf @ Paddy Mac’s

  • 🎵 Live Music: Levi Ballenger @ Seminole Tap

  • 🎭 The Nutcracker @ Verona Youth Ballet

  • 💪 Parent’s Night Out @ Gymfinity

• Sunday, 12/22

  • ♣️ Euchre Tournament @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🎄 Christmas service @ Blackhawk Church

MAKER FEATURE

This week’s maker feature is Rachel, owner & maker of RayJon Design.

Hi! My name is Rachel and I am the owner & maker at RayJon Design. I started handcrafting wood jewelry in 2019. I was looking for a wood ring but couldn’t find one that I had in mind so I made my own. I then branched into earrings, bracelets and necklaces and here we are. Most of the wood I use for my jewelry is up-cycled wood cut offs from Johnson Floors LLC, a Wood Flooring Company that my husband started in 2008. I’m also known for incorporating natural stone into my jewelry and have over 1,000 stones for customers to choose from when creating a custom design. Customers can now shop at our woodworking shop here in Fitchburg called The Woodcraft Collective-5555 Irish Lane. Check out our flyer to see all the awesome things going on at the Woodcraft Collective. At The Woodcraft Collective, you can also meet other local woodworkers that we think you should know about:

• Clint Silvers who makes and sells Charcuterie boards and other household items

• Silver Lining Woodworks IG handle: @silver_lining_woodworks

• Mark Rochon who makes and sells wood turned bowls, platters, and grazing table accessories. Timber Craft IG: @timbercraft___

Know a local maker who should be featured - submit here!

CHECK IT OUT

Check out our referral program!

Here’s how it works:

Send your unique referral link (found at the bottom of this email) to friends, neighbors, or that coworker who still doesn’t know what to do this weekend. When they subscribe, you earn these awesome local rewards.

🌟 Refer One Friend: They subscribe, you get a buy-one-get-one beer at Delta Beer Lab. Cheers to community! 🍻
🌟 Refer Another Friend: Unlock a $9 yoga class at Dragonfly Hot Yoga (that’s $20 off!). A perfect way to relax and recharge. 🧘

Every referral helps grow our community, connecting more people to the amazing businesses and events that make the Fitchrona area so great. And the more we grow, the more we can offer back to you. Stay tuned as we add more exclusive rewards in the coming weeks.

Thanks for being part of this journey—we couldn’t do it without you!

Have a place that we should check out? Submit it here.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEAL

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle—stop by Manes By Mackie for a holiday refresh that’ll sleigh!

Holiday Deals - Book any color service during December & receive $50 off at checkout! Also, during December treat yourself to a wash & style of your choice and receive a complementary steam-bath treatment.

THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading the Fitchrona Focus today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves an ugly sweater as much as we do!

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