If These Woods Could Talk

11/17/2025

This is a republication of one of the first episodes of ITWCT.

In this edition of If These Woods Could Talk, Bob Martini shares first-hand knowledge of Wisconsin’s history at the forefront of water conservation policy. He has been speaking on this topic for decades and his expertise on the matter is evident. Hope you enjoy learning with Bob!

This is a republication of one of the first episodes of ITWCT.In this edition of If These Woods Could Talk, Bob Martini shares first-hand knowledge of Wiscon...

11/04/2025

This is a re-upload of one of our very first episodes. Former resident Mike Haney, whose posts I enjoyed on the "You grew up in Rhinelander WI if you remember..." page, recorded some recollections from his years living here. It's short and very sweet.

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might reminisce fondly about their sapling days.📷🌲

In this edition of If These Woods Could Talk, we hear from Mike Haney. Mike lives in Texas these days, but he spent a few formative years in Rhinelander. I reached out to Mike after I saw a contribution of his to a Rhinelander history page. I hope you enjoy his recollections.

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might reminisce fondly about those golden sapling days.📷🌲In this edition of If These Woods Could Talk, we hear from Mik...

10/31/2025

NEW BOOK ALERT
🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might ride the pine and keep on cheering.🌲🏀

We’re extending our range a bit for today’s storyteller. We spoke with Thomas L. Pelissero of Bessemer, Michigan, author of the new book “Bring One Home: A Memoir of Boyhood, Basketball, and Hometown Spirit.” The book juxtaposes the decline of Bessemer’s mining industry in the 1960s with their high school basketball team’s years-long losing streak. It’s a compelling concept, and the book is filled with far more stories from Bessemer’s heyday than could reasonably fit in an episode.

The book’s release party will be Saturday, November 1 at the Bessemer City Hall auditorium.

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might ride the pine and keep on cheering.🌲🏀We’re extending our range a bit for today’s storyteller. We spoke with Thoma...

10/07/2025

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!
If these woods could talk, they might be "next." I got to speak with Dr. Scott Bonn about a different sort of history than usual! He talked a bit about his philosophy on media portrayals of grisly events and what to expect from his upcoming presentation at Nicolet College Library.

This Sunday, October 12, come see renowned criminologist, author, and professor Scott Bonn talk about the allure of serial killers and why we love monsters. To be followed by a Q&A.

Knowledgeable, well-spoken, and easy to talk to. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙘, 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚!

Tickets are available online at https://rdlfoundation.org/doc-bonn/ or in-person at the Rhinelander District Library.

See you there!

Criminologist, author, and professor Scott Bonn is bringing his experience studying the worst elements of humanity to Rhinelander! Dr. Bonn has made a name f...

09/17/2025

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you a whole bunch of stories–and like, at the drop of a hat, too, and just go and go because they love it and because they can.🌲🪚

Tales of the Northwoods: Echoes From Rhinelander's Past is the title of two volumes of lore collected and published in 2002 and 2004. After 21 years of living life, author Mark Miazga has brought us a third collection of stories. He stopped by the library recently to talk about storytelling, his background, and some of his outlook on life and what really matters in history.

“Tales of the Northwoods Vol. 3” will be released on September 19, 2025, and will soon be available at the Hodag Store and online at hodagpress.com

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you a whole bunch of stories–and like, at the drop of a hat, too, and just go and go because they love it and ...

09/05/2025

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might say…Moo?🌲🐮

Last month I got to go to the Demmer Memorial Library in Three Lakes to participate in their history digitization day. While I was there, I wrangled a few stories out of lifelong Three Lakes resident Bruce Brewster, and learned what a “Cow Pass” is. Now, aren’t you curious, too?

Thanks also to Three Lakes Historical Society and Museum for their part in organizing history digitization day.

You are listening to If These Woods Could Talk, produced by the Rhinelander District Library.🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might ask, "...what's a cow ...

08/20/2025

Republishing from last September.

Check it out, and check out the book!

If these woods could talk, they might tell you that there is no illegal moonshine operation here, and to beat it, and stop asking questions if you know what’...

08/13/2025

At Demmer Memorial Library in Three Lakes this afternoon for History Digitization Day!
Ready to record. Or just talk about preserving history.

08/12/2025

When we began formulating These Woods, we had a shortlist of people we hoped would record with us. Butch Mattek was at the top of my list. I enjoyed watching him play at Birchwood open mics on Sundays at one time and I had heard stories about his band, Premier, and their regional renown.

I reached out to Butch early on and he agreed readily to participate in our oral history project. In fact, he was the first person to record with me.

I'm not great at interviewing now; I was far worse then. I wish I had done a better job, but he managed to tell some great stories in spite of it.

Thanks, Butch.

When we began formulating this project, we had a shortlist of people we hoped would record with us. Butch was at the top of my list. I enjoyed watching him p...