If These Woods Could Talk

08/26/2026

🌳🌲If These Woods Could Talk, they might tell you about grudges and blood in the streets🌲🔫

We’re back again with Anita, Dan, and Lily. Chapter 2 picks up in 1891 where we meet Sherman A. Merritt, a railroad conductor in Tomahawk whose first run-in with the Donnerstags left him with a lasting bad impression that grew into a feud.

Do you have lingering questions? I want to answer them next week. Please leave them in the comments!

🌳🌲If These Woods Could Talk, they might tell you about grudges and ...

08/19/2026

🌳🌲If These Woods Could Talk, they might tell you about the 1880s influx of European immigrants who hacked and sawed their way ever northward, creating the Wisconsin we know today 🌲🪚

Meet the Donnerstag family of Woodboro! In this, the first chapter of the story, we follow Louis and Johanna Donnerstag from German Bohemia to the United States, to Wisconsin, and to Marathon County and further north.

This six part series tells the true story–largely lost to time–of a troubled family that once terrorized the Northwoods and almost earned notoriety akin to the James or Dalton gangs.

Chapter 2 will be released in a week.

🌳🌲If These Woods Could Talk, they might tell you about the 1880s in...

08/14/2026

If These Woods Could Talk is bringing the true story of a criminal family that you've probably never heard of before.

Episode 1 coming Wednesday, August 19. Listen as I sit down with friends you'll know from the community to discuss this fascinating bit of history the Northwoods forgot.

If These Woods Could Talk is bringing you a six-part series telling...

08/05/2026

In advance of the Hodag All Class Reunion this weekend, we are re-uploading this great recording from a while ago: legendary RHS teacher Darlene Machtan sharing stories from her first year teaching. I never got to have her as a teacher myself, and I often wish I'd had the chance.

THESE WOODS will be at the All Class Reunion this Saturday from 4-7pm, posted up at the Rhinelander Brewing Company. Come record a high school memory with us and get a BOGO for a beverage at the Brewery!

07/28/2026

Two years ago we posted this photo and asked if anyone knew where it was taken. We had a year, 1908, and not much else.

The photo was passed down through her family. She thought Stetsonville, since she knew her family lived there around 1908. Visible was one name: a sign for J. E. McFarlane, “Hunters Guide.” Searching that name brought me to Rusk County, but there was no concrete evidence of the location.

So yesterday I was driving home through Ladysmith and finally thought to pop in and visit the delightful Rusk County Community Library. There, a cheery and helpful staff member whose name I failed to ask showed me to the local history section and a book called “Centennial Memories: A Century of Gates-Rusk County History, 1901-2001."

The book included a page on the village of Ingram which featured a photo nearly identical to the one I’d been looking for--J. E. McFarlane and all!

So we found it. Ingram, Wisconsin c.1908.

Another mystery demystified by If These Woods Could Talk!

So bring it on. Try to stump These Woods.

07/09/2026

Are you interested in lending your voice to a True Crime podcast series?

We are looking for a true crime fan to talk with us about a local crime family that you've almost certainly never heard of before!

This story takes place between the 1880s and 1910 in the Rhinelander area. The story includes murder, jailbreaks, counterfeiting, and a standoff in the woods with federal agents.

We'd love someone interested in local history and true crime who isn't afraid of a microphone. Help Rhinelander District Library and If These Woods Could Talk tell a brand new story that belongs among Northwoods lore.

Contact us here or call the library at 715-365-1070 Ext 2074

06/16/2026

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might advocate for their own conservation and protection in perpetuity🌲🌱

Fortunately, they have today’s speakers to do the talking for them. The Northwoods Land Trust is turning 25 years old this summer. Three of their board members, all experts in their respective fields, came to the library to discuss the land trust, easements, and the history of land conservation in Northern Wisconsin.

Conservation outreach specialist John Heusinkveld came along with Bob Martini (who has spoken with us before), author and naturalist John Bates, and ecologist Ron Eckstein to share lifetimes’ worth of knowledge.

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might advocate for their own cons...

05/08/2026

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you stories from other places, too, because they’re actually more well-traveled than you might expect…🗺️🌳

Mark Miazga is back with a new book barely a year after the last one. This book is not a fourth volume of Miazga’s Tales of the Northwoods: Echoes From Rhinelander's Past series. This time, his research has taken him all over the globe on a hunt for instances of the hodag through time.

The book will be released Saturday, May 16th at the Hodag Heritage Festival at Pioneer Park. Swing by to meet Mark and buy a copy of The Hunt for the Hodag in History.

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you stories from other places, too, because they’re actually more well-traveled than you might expect…🗺️🌳Mar...

04/08/2026

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might need to tell you a few stories before they can properly tell you the story they wanted to tell you in the first place🐦🌳

A recent donation to the Historical Society catalyzed this conversation. A pair of snowshoes once belonging to Stewart “Jumbo” Lester led Rhinelander Historical Society president Bill Vancos to contact Greg Umland, Bill’s old classmate whose father used to hunt with Stewart, for some information. The two of them sat down with me here at the library to record some memories. What followed was a wayward conversation that wended its way through decades of Rhinelander history, businesses, names, landmarks, events, deaths--and even a little bit about Mister Lester.

Stewart and his friend Victor Umland were recognized in the area for their hunting prowess. Through his life, Stewart also ran a service station and bar, drew people in as a musical performer, and worked as a carpenter. I’ll let Greg take it from here.

Follow the Rhinelander Historical Society on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RhinelanderHistoricalSociety
Also follow the Rhinelander District Library
https://www.facebook.com/RhinelanderLibrary

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might need to tell you a few stories before they can properly tell you the story they wanted to tell you in the first pla...

03/04/2026

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you the difference between a RESTROOM and a REST ROOM 🚺💆‍♀️

Cindy Goll from the GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club came into the library to tell us about the Oneida County Rest Room for Women that existed for more than 60 years. It may not have been what you think!

A unique slice of day-to-day life from a century ago. Thanks, Cindy!

Follow GFWC Rhinelander Woman's Club on Facebook!

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you the difference between a RESTROOM and a REST ROOM🚺💆‍♀️Cindy Goll from the GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club ...