Good Morning, Fitchrona!

This week, we encourage you to slow down, savor the little moments, and reflect on the highs and lows of the past year. You’ll notice this newsletter is a bit lighter, as many local businesses are taking well-deserved time off after the busy holiday season. We applaud and thank them for prioritizing rest and giving their employees a break. Let this be your reminder to do the same—rest, recharge, and take care of yourself.

Since some of you love celebrating quirky holidays, and because it involves one of my favorite food groups, today is National Bacon Day!

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:

• Expanding our Trails

• Help Our Furry Friends

• Internship Opportunity

Let’s fill our cups!

-Liv - Fitchrona Focus Founder

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Last Week’s Highlights

Grant Fuels Growth for Ice Age Trail Alliance

Athletic Brewing has awarded the Ice Age Trail Alliance a Two for the Trails grant, part of their initiative to donate up to $2 million annually to outdoor preservation projects. This funding will support plans to expand the Ice Age Trail and carry out habitat restoration through the Trail Crew program in 2025. View this video to learn more about the Two for the Trails grant!

Want to get involved, get your hands dirty and help out the Iceage Trail — check out their various volunteer opportunities.

Double Your Impact for Critters in Need

Dane County Humane Society — The 2024 holiday season began with a generous matching challenge from the Don and Marilyn Anderson Foundation. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community, they offered even more matching funds, meaning that your donation, made before 11:59 pm on December 31st, 2024, will be DOUBLED up to $35,000 for the animals in our care. You can still make a difference - donate here!

Diversity in Conservation Internship

Apply to the Diversity in Conservation Internship (2025)

Applications are now open for the 2025 Diversity in Conservation Internship Program — put on by The Natural Resources foundation of Wisconsin, closing January 24, 2025. Receive college credit — if approved by an accredited university.

This 10-week program (June 9 – August 15, 2025) offers undergraduates from Lawrence University, UW-Madison, and UW-Milwaukee an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in natural resource conservation. The program is designed to introduce students from underrepresented groups to conservation careers.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin protects the state’s lands, wildlife and ecosystems through funding, partnerships, and community engagement. Founded in 1986, it supports ecosystems, engages communities, and fosters conservation partnerships.

No prior experience or education in conservation or environmental science is required to apply.

For additional program details, see the Diversity in Conservation Internship website.

HAPPENINGS

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

• Monday, 12/30

  • 🎤 - Live Music: Dawg Bones @ Paddy Mac’s

  • 🍺 - Industry Night @ Delta Beer Lab

  • ☃️ - Snow Days, Half-Day Camp @ Gymfinity

  • 🎊 - End of the Year Party @ Oregon Library

• Tuesday, 12/31

  • ☃️ - Snow Days, Half-Day Camp @ Gymfinity

  • 🎊 - Noon Year’s Eve Bubble @ Diventures

  • 🎊 - Noon Year’s Eve Party @ Verona Library

  • ❓ - Trivia @ Hop Haus

  • ❓ - Quizmaster’s Trivia @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🎮 - 2nd Annual New Year’s LAN Extravaganza @ Isthmian Gaming

  • 🎤 - Live Music: Top Shelf @ Paddy Mac’s

  • 🎊- New Years Eve Party - Hollywood Style @ Seminole Tap

  • 🌭 - Brat Drop @ Riley Tavern

  • 🍸 - A Speakeasy New Year’s Eve Pop-Up @ Loxley

• Wednesday, 1/1 - Happy New Year

  • 👟 - Norah’s New Year Walk @ Norah’s Giving Heart

  • 🧶 - Social Knit/Crochet Night (Virtual) - Sow’s Ear

  • 🥩 - New Year’s Day Meat Raffle @ Head Quarters

• Thursday, 1/2

  • 💻 - Tech Topics @ Fitchburg Library

  • ⛅ - Our Climate: The Science Solutions & Community Possibilities @ Verona Library

• Friday, 1/3

  • 🎉 - Monthly Birthday Party @ Sow’s Ear

  • 🪓 - Wood Carvers @ Fitchburg Library

  • 📖 - Young & The Restless @ Verona Library

  • 🎤 - Live Music: Seth James @ Seminole Tap

• Saturday, 1/4

  • 💪 - Fort Night @ Gymfinity

  • 🎤 - Live Music: KT Johnson Duo @ Bodihow Brewing

• Sunday, 1/5

  • 🎭 - Annie Kids - Auditions @ Verona Area Community Theater

  • 🎮 - Madison Masher’s Monthly @ Isthmian Gaming

MAKER FEATURE

This week we wanted to let you know a little bit about us, the makers of the Fitchrona Focus.

We're an average couple who has called Fitchburg, WI home for over 7 years. After both graduating from UW-Madison and enjoying everything downtown Madison had to offer, we found ourselves struggling to discover events, shops, and creators in Fitchburg and Verona, even though we knew they were out there. We were frustrated by the difficulty of finding local happy hours and supporting small entrepreneurs working on their side hustles after hours. We realized there was a need for a better way to share local happenings, businesses, and makers in our community. So, a few sips of Crop Circle Wheat in, we created the Fitchrona Focus.

Thought we’ve only been around for two months, we already created a comprehensive local gift guide, a must-follow Instagram account, and featured:

• 1 Holiday Gift Guide - Featuring 50 Local Businesses

• 8 Local Makers

• 9 Cool Things to Check Out

• 154 Unique Businesses Featured

• 249 local Events

We’re just getting started. We've got some exciting things lined up for 2025—stay tuned!

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

CHECK IT OUT

As New Year's Day approaches, the holiday cheer and lights start to fade, but there’s still time to enjoy the festive displays! Be sure to check out the amazing decorations from Fitchburg’s Holiday Lights Tour competition while you still can. Use the map to explore the beautiful displays.

A huge thank you to the City of Fitchburg and all the 54 participants for their time and effort in creating these stunning holiday scenes that bring so much joy to families. The Holiday Lights Tour is more than just lights; it's a place for creating cherished memories and spreading holiday cheer. Your creativity and dedication have truly illuminated Fitchburg.

Courtesy of City of Fitchburg’s Facebook page: Congratulations to the Fabin Family for winning the 2024 Favorite Display on the Holiday Lights Tour!

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

NEIGHBORHOOD DEAL

Taco & Tequila Tuesday

@TheHoundFitchburg

Every Tuesday is Taco & Tequila Tuesday at The Flying Hound! Stop by for:

• $14 Taco Plate

• $10 Margarita of the Month

• $18 Combo

• 50% off tequila all night

THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading the Fitchrona Focus today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who eats bacon while driving to see holiday lights!

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