Columns - Pierce County Journal

From the editor’s desk: The best man I ever knew

Father’s Day has always been a bittersweet day for me. My dad died at the young age of 42 when I was 2 years old, so I never got to know him. Even though it’s been over 40 years since his … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/17/26

Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads include many of the roads less traveled by visitors to the Badger State.

Back Home: Taking the roads less traveled

Some of my stories over the years have come during countryside sojourns that take the path less traveled. It’s easy when you live in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, with its many coulees, … more

By Chris Hardie | 6/17/26

Woodworking Again: Thomas Crapper revisited

Now that I am firmly in my 90 th year, my life has changed considerably. i.e. I don’t get around much anymore. I can’t see or hear very well; I have to type with one finger (like a real … more

By Dave Wood | 6/10/26

Kreibich column: Kreibich will seek another term in State Assembly

Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-New Richmond) announced June 5 he will seek re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly, looking to continue representing the 28th Assembly District, consisting of parts of St. … more

6/10/26

From the editor’s desk: Let them have summer

Whatever happened to the lazy days of summer? I don’t think they exist anymore. Our sports columnist Cripe Olson has lamented this fact several times and I agree with him. Last Thursday we … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/10/26

Ask Andrew: Parade season is back

Summertime means parades galore, and as a newspaper reporter, I have been to countless over the years. The good, the bad, the hot and the rainy, I have seen them all. The vast majority of readers … more

By Andrew Harrington | 6/10/26

Village President column: Housing has been on my mind

Housing has been on my mind a lot this past month, so let's talk about it. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio about housing and development in … more

By Becky Beissel | 6/10/26

Woodworking Again: Supper clubs

My wife and I were overwhelmed when my nephew, who knew we and his parents were fans of eating out, sent us two mammoth coffee table books. One was “A Guide to Wisconsin Supper Clubs,” by Ron … more

By Dave Wood | 6/3/26

From the editor's desk: A milestone I don’t want

I was looking in the mirror not long ago and noticed a few gray strands of hair peeking through the blonde. Aha, I thought. You have arrived. I immediately made an appointment with my friend and … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/3/26

Back Home: The breakdown curse strikes again

I’m not a superstitious person, but I sometimes wonder if someone has placed a curse on my power equipment. Others may say it's merely a hex – a short-term spell designed to teach me a … more

By Chris Hardie | 6/3/26

Woodworking Again: Remembering the ‘Sylum’

When I was in seventh grade I went with my class on a tour of important sites in Trempealeau County. First stop was Galesville and a trip to beautiful Marynook, which had been transformed into a … more

By Dave Wood | 5/27/26

Rep. Kreibich column: Assembly passes budget surplus agreement, Senate kills it

The Assembly recently voted for a bipartisan compromise that would have returned $1.8 billion of our budget surplus back to the taxpayers. Unfortunately, the bill was killed in the Senate. To … more

By Rep. Rob Kreibich | 5/27/26

From the editor’s desk: Meaningful Memorial Day moments

This Memorial Day, I hope you were able to attend one of the many observances put on by our American Legions around Pierce County. I was fortunate to attend ceremonies held at the Bay City Lakeshore … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/27/26

Barth column: Jefferson had a point on throwing off tyrants

A stream of soaring rhetoric is devoted to patting ourselves on the back for the virtues of American political culture, where everyone’s voice matters. Except it’s not true. Let us … more

By Bill Barth | 5/27/26

Back Home: Porch project finally done

Earthquakes in Wisconsin are pretty rare, with a mild tremor occurring once a decade or so. But if you felt a slight seismic shift recently, it was not due to tectonic activity but rather to me … more

By Chris Hardie | 5/27/26

Woodworking Again: When success reeks

HOUSEHOLD HINT: If it’s springtime once again and the voice of the turtle is heard in your Pierce County garden plot, do not, DO NOT, purchase your onion sets at the local grocery store! Last year … more

By Dave Wood | 5/20/26

Sustainability Matters: Celebrating a return to the garden

For the first time in several years, I’m getting back in my garden. One reason is simple economics. Like most of you, I’ve watched grocery prices climb. I’ve been making adjustments to my … more

By Robin Boles | 5/20/26

From the editor’s desk: Messages given to the Class of 2026

This time of year, reporter Andrew Harrington and I have the privilege of covering all sorts of exciting end of the school year events highlighting the accomplishments of the graduating classes. I … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 5/20/26

Back Home: A close encounter with a bobcat

Nature is anything but predictable. Just ask hunters who spend many hours in the woods. That certainly was the case recently for Carson Bender, 19, of Wisconsin Rapids, who was attacked by a … more

By Chris Hardie | 5/20/26

Woodworking Again: A trio of eccentrical treats, Part III

Today’s eccentric, like the first eccentric, is a journalist and prankster I was introduced to in the strangest of places. Ohio. I was a grad student at Bowling Green University where I befriended … more

By Dave Wood | 5/14/26