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Summer break means fishing, campfires, and lazy mornings for most Northwoods kids. But when rain rolls in or the midday heat gets too thick, Tomahawk Public Library has a plan to keep young minds sharp without feeling like school.

The library’s summer reading program kicks off June 15 with this year’s theme: “Unearth a Story.” It’s a free lineup of story times, reading challenges, weekly seek-and-finds, and Thursday morning events designed to make books feel less like homework and more like treasure hunting.

“We like to help encourage reading in the summer by making it fun,” says Annette Miller, Children’s Librarian at Tomahawk Public Library. The library’s been running these seasonal programs for years, giving families an indoor activity option when summer plans need a Plan B.

Why Summer Reading Matters Up North

Teachers call it the summer slide — that dip in reading skills when kids take three months off from school. It’s real, and it hits hardest for younger readers who need consistent practice to build fluency.

Libraries across Wisconsin tackle this by turning reading into a game. Tomahawk’s approach mixes story time on Tuesday mornings with hands-on activities on Thursdays, plus weekly challenges that come with actual rewards.

This year’s prize stash includes squishmallows and tickets to Woodchucks and Ignite games, which beats a gold star sticker any day.

What Families Can Expect This Summer

The program welcomes all ages, from toddlers who can barely hold a board book to middle schoolers looking for their next series.

Here’s what’s on the schedule:

• Tuesday mornings: Story time for younger kids with read-alouds and songs
• Thursday mornings: Rotating events tied to the “Unearth a Story” theme — think crafts, games, and activity stations
• Weekly seek-and-finds: Scavenger hunts that get kids exploring the library shelves
• Reading challenges: Track your pages or minutes for prize drawings throughout the summer

Most families hear about the program through school outreach or the library’s afterschool activities, which run year-round. Miller and her staff work hard to make sure every kid in Tomahawk knows the library’s not just for quiet studying.

More Than Just Books on Shelves

Tomahawk Public Library serves a dual role in this community. It’s a literacy center, sure, but it’s also one of the few free public spaces where families can spend time together without opening their wallets.

That matters when you consider the cost of summer. Camps run expensive. Childcare eats budgets. Even a trip to the Dells adds up fast.

“We feel very fortunate that we have a library and provide programming. Our staff is great about that, and it makes people want to come here and enjoy a book.” — Annette Miller

The library pulls this off thanks to support from the Friends of the Library, a local group that helps fund materials and programs through donations and fundraising. Community backing keeps these summer activities accessible to everyone, regardless of income.

A Northwoods Tradition Keeps Growing

Summer reading programs at Tomahawk Public Library go back at least to 2015, when the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction featured the library in its monthly spotlight. A decade later, the tradition’s still going strong.

The library already runs regular programming throughout the year — Library Time for toddlers, Tinker Tuesday for K-8 students, and ongoing reading challenges with prize drawings. Summer reading fits naturally into that rhythm.

What sets this apart from a typical school assignment is the emphasis on choice and fun. Kids pick what they want to read. They earn rewards for participation, not grades. They get to see friends and try new activities in a space that feels welcoming rather than evaluative.

When Outdoor Recreation Needs an Indoor Backup

Tomahawk’s summer identity leans heavily on lakes, trails, and outdoor adventure. Tourism drives the local economy. Families come here to unplug and get outside.

But summer in the Northwoods also means thunderstorms that roll in without warning, heat waves that make noon hikes miserable, and occasional stretches of rain that keep boats docked for days.

The library’s summer program offers a reliable indoor option that complements rather than competes with outdoor life. It gives families something to do when weather won’t cooperate, and it keeps kids’ reading muscles flexed between fishing trips and campfire nights.

Getting Involved This June

Registration details and specific event schedules will be available as June approaches, but families can start planning now. The program officially begins June 15 and runs through summer break.

All ages are welcome. No fees, no prerequisites, no pressure — just show up and see what happens when you unearth a story or two.

For a region that takes pride in lakes and forests, it’s worth remembering that Tomahawk Public Library is its own kind of resource. The stories waiting on those shelves might not have the same thrill as catching a muskie, but they offer adventures that don’t depend on weather, gas money, or bug spray.

Every Wednesday in June, something special happens at T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill. Kids settle onto the carpet with a book in hand, ready to read — not to a teacher or librarian, but to Tucker, a patient golden retriever who never judges a stumble or mispronounced word.

The annual Read to a Dog program brings together children of all ages with a certified therapy dog who’s become a familiar face in Lincoln County schools. It’s simple literacy programming with a tail-wagging twist.

For families in smaller Northwoods communities like Merrill, programs like this matter more than you might think.

Why Kids Open Up to a Four-Legged Listener

Tucker isn’t just any friendly dog. He’s completed three levels of certification — canine good citizen, community canine test, and therapy dog program — to earn his spot on the library floor.

His handler, Mark Meahlos, has been bringing Tucker to Merrill schools and community events for nearly a decade. The magic happens when a child who’s nervous about reading aloud finds confidence in front of an audience that won’t correct them or look away.

“Learning is kind of academic, social and emotional,” Meahlos explained. “So, it’s the social and emotional bringing of kids out of their shell a little bit. Then blood pressure also drops and good things happen.”

Andrea Bennett, Head of Youth Services at T.B. Scott Library, sees that impact firsthand. Kids become more focused and engaged when Tucker’s around. The dog’s patience turns what could feel like a test into something closer to storytime with a friend.

Building Confidence One Page at a Time

Reading aloud can feel scary for young readers. The fear of stumbling over words or sounding foolish keeps some kids from practicing — which means they fall further behind.

That’s where Tucker comes in. He won’t laugh at a mispronunciation or lose interest halfway through a sentence. He just listens, occasionally offering a gentle tail wag or calm gaze that says “keep going.”

“Reading to a dog, people have found it reduces anxiety in kids. So, the kids are more likely to focus and be more engaged.” — Andrea Bennett, T.B. Scott Free Library

The therapy-dog model has spread across libraries nationwide for good reason. Research consistently shows that reading to animals helps reluctant readers build the kind of confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.

In a place like Merrill — population around 9,000 — the public library serves as more than a book warehouse. It’s a community hub, offering structured literacy support that some families might not find elsewhere in Lincoln County.

What Makes a Therapy Dog Program Work

Not every friendly dog can show up at a library and call it therapy work. Tucker’s certification process involved months of training to ensure he could handle the unpredictable energy of excited children.

Here’s what goes into creating a reliable therapy dog team:

• Basic obedience training that proves the dog can follow commands in distracting environments
• Community canine testing that shows the dog remains calm around strangers, noises, and movement
• Therapy-specific certification requiring the dog to interact gently with people of all ages and abilities
• Ongoing handler training so the human partner knows how to manage sessions and keep everyone safe

Meahlos and Tucker are regulars at Merrill schools, where kids already know them. That familiarity makes the library program feel like visiting an old friend rather than meeting a stranger.

The emotional benefits extend beyond reading practice. Children learn empathy, build social skills, and experience the calming effect that comes from spending time with a well-trained animal.

Beyond Tucker: Summer at T.B. Scott Library

The Read to a Dog program is just one piece of T.B. Scott Library’s summer programming. Families can find activities throughout the season designed to keep young minds engaged when school’s out.

In July, the library plans to introduce a new program featuring Woodsy Dude — another example of how rural libraries get creative with limited budgets by bringing in volunteers and community partners.

These programs cost far less than many youth enrichment activities because they rely on public space and volunteer-based participation. That makes them accessible to families across the economic spectrum in Lincoln County.

For parents looking for free, educational summer activities in the Northwoods, your local library remains one of the best-kept secrets around.

Finding Your Voice in the Northwoods

Tucker’s work at T.B. Scott Library reflects a broader truth about up-north communities. We look out for each other, especially when it comes to helping kids succeed.

Whether it’s a therapy dog listening to early readers or a librarian organizing summer programs on a shoestring budget, these small acts build the kind of community that makes the Northwoods special.

Reading to Tucker won’t turn every child into a bookworm overnight. But for some kids, a patient golden retriever might be exactly what they need to find their voice — one page, one sentence, one wagging tail at a time.

If you’ve got a young reader at home who could use a confidence boost, the T.B. Scott Free Library is waiting. Tucker will be there every Wednesday this June, ready to listen.

Ralph Wehlitz doesn’t think much about the number. At 102 years old, he says it doesn’t feel all that different from being a couple years younger.

But for the folks who gathered at Polka Dotted Pie in downtown Merrill last Thursday, that number meant everything. Family, former students, and fellow model railroad enthusiasts filled the bakery to celebrate a man whose life has woven itself into the fabric of this Northwoods community for more than a century.

Born on June 4, 1924, Wehlitz has seen Merrill through Depression-era hardship, world war, and generations of change. His story is the kind that makes small-town Wisconsin what it is — quiet service, lasting relationships, and a basement full of miniature trains.

From North Africa to the Northwoods Classroom

Wehlitz’s path to teaching wasn’t straightforward. Before he ever stood in front of a Merrill classroom, he stood in the deserts of North Africa and the mountains of Italy.

He served in World War II during some of the conflict’s most brutal campaigns. A bombing shell changed his life forever when shrapnel took his left hand.

Like so many veterans of his generation, Wehlitz came home and rebuilt. He enrolled at UW-Madison, earned his degree in education, and set his sights on a career that would touch hundreds of young lives over three decades.

“Learn to read,” he said when asked about his best advice. “Do a lot of reading. You develop a sense of language, and you improve your communication skills. Reading is basic and extremely important.”

For 31 years, he brought that philosophy into Merrill classrooms. The students who showed up at his birthday party — some now well into their own retirement years — are living proof that good teachers leave marks that last.

A Basement Full of Wonder

If you’ve lived in Merrill long enough, chances are you’ve heard about Ralph Wehlitz’s model railroad.

The massive display fills his basement, a sprawling landscape of miniature tracks, buildings, and scenery that took years to construct. Larry Mishkar, a friend from Duluth who made the trip down for the celebration, described the moment most visitors experience:

“When people get to the area where the model train starts, they stop and just take it all in because it’s amazing.”

Model railroading has deep roots in the Midwest, especially in communities like Merrill where real trains once defined the economy and landscape. For Wehlitz, the hobby became more than a pastime — it became a way to preserve something, to build something beautiful with one hand when the war had taken the other.

Friends and neighbors have made pilgrimages to that basement over the decades. For many Merrill kids, seeing Wehlitz’s layout was a rite of passage, a glimpse into what patience and passion can create.

What a Century Looks Like in Merrill

Wehlitz’s birthday celebration wasn’t just about one man hitting triple digits. It was a snapshot of what makes Northwoods communities tick.

Downtown Merrill still draws people together — whether it’s the Merrill Lion’s Car Show and Parade rolling through Main Street or neighbors gathering at local spots like Polka Dotted Pie. These aren’t just events. They’re the glue.

Wehlitz’s life spans an era when Merrill was shaped by:

• The timber industry and rail connections that built the local economy
• World War II service that took young men from Wisconsin farms to foreign battlefields
• The GI Bill era that sent veterans to state universities and into professions like teaching
• Decades of small-town education where teachers knew students’ families and stayed for entire careers

At 102, he’s watched all of it unfold. And he’s still here, still part of it.

Lessons from a Life Well-Lived

There’s something quietly radical about Wehlitz’s approach to aging. He doesn’t marvel at the years. He doesn’t dwell on what’s behind him.

When asked about reaching 102, he shrugged it off with characteristic modesty. “I’m surprised, and I never thought I’d be over 100 years old, but I guess it doesn’t feel any different.”

Maybe that’s the real lesson — you don’t get to 102 by obsessing over the milestone. You get there by showing up. By reading. By teaching. By building something in your basement that makes people stop and stare.

The mix of people at his birthday says everything about the kind of life he’s lived. Family who love him. Students who remember him. Hobbyists who respect him. In a world that often feels fragmented, that’s a rare and beautiful thing.

The Northwoods Connection

Stories like Wehlitz’s remind us why the Northwoods holds onto its people. This isn’t a place where you’re just passing through.

Veterans, teachers, craftsmen — they put down roots here. They build model railroads in their basements and relationships that span generations. They show up for birthday parties at 102 because community still means something.

Merrill continues to celebrate these connections through parades, car shows, and simple gatherings at downtown bakeries. The city’s active event calendar reflects a commitment to keeping those traditions alive, even as the world changes around them.

As Wehlitz moves past his 102nd birthday, he leaves us with something more valuable than advice. He leaves us with an example — of resilience after loss, of dedication to young people, of finding joy in the details of a miniature world built with care.

That’s a legacy worth celebrating, whether you’re marking a century or just trying to make it through another Northwoods winter. Ya know?

When Help Hides in Plain Sight

Abuse doesn’t always show up as bruises. In living rooms across Lincoln County, it can look like a controlled bank account, a monitored phone, or a partner who answers every question for their spouse.

Nancy Baacke has heard the stories. As an advocate at Haven Inc. in Merrill, she works with survivors who’ve lived through every kind of interpersonal violence — and this month, her organization is shining a spotlight on one of the community’s most hidden problems: elder abuse.

“We have a saying in this field of work — it’s called start by believing,” Baacke told WJFW recently.

More Than Physical Violence

The assumption that abuse victims should “just leave” misses the reality of how control works. Financial dependence, isolation, and fear create invisible chains that can be harder to break than physical ones.

Baacke points to modern technology as a common tool of control.

“With phones nowadays, many people stalk through the devices,” she said. “They may not have to be physically battered. The person is micromanaging many parts of their life and exerting control.”

For older adults in the Northwoods, that control can take specific forms: a family member who gradually takes over finances, a caregiver who limits outside contact, or a partner who controls transportation in a region where getting anywhere means a car.

“Domestic abuse is often hidden in the community or the society. Abusers do not want people to see what they are doing in the home environment.”

In rural communities like ours, where neighbors know each other and families have deep roots, that secrecy can be even more effective. Nobody wants to believe the friendly face at church or the helpful son-in-law could be exploiting someone.

Haven’s Work Across the Northwoods

Haven Inc. has been serving survivors in the Merrill area since the early 1980s. What started as a domestic violence shelter has grown into a comprehensive resource for anyone experiencing interpersonal abuse.

The numbers from 2024 tell the story of need: Haven helped around 180 people, including 133 adults and 47 children. They provided over 3,000 nights of shelter for people who needed a safe place to stay.

The organization offers more than just a bed, though. Their services include:

• 24-hour confidential crisis line (715-536-1300)
• Safety planning and advocacy
• Peer counseling and support groups
• Information and referrals to other resources
• Community education and prevention programs

Baacke says the first step is always the same: listening.

“Then we try to help them regain their power, by being able to make decisions about what they want for themselves,” she explained. “Things about where they see themselves in the future, ways to stay safe and take back their lives.”

Financial Abuse Hits Older Adults Hardest

Among elder abuse cases, financial exploitation stands out as the most common form. It’s also one of the hardest to spot from the outside.

An older adult might suddenly seem vague about their finances. They might hesitate when asked about who’s helping them with bills. You might notice fear in their eyes when a certain family member’s name comes up.

In the Northwoods economy, where many older residents rely on fixed incomes and retirement savings, financial abuse can wipe out a lifetime of careful planning. A manipulated signature, a coerced power of attorney, or simply stolen checks can leave someone vulnerable with nowhere to turn.

Winter geography makes it worse. When snow limits mobility and the nearest bank is twenty miles away, an older adult who depends on someone else for transportation becomes even more isolated.

Baacke urges everyone to check in with older neighbors and relatives — not just during the holidays, but regularly.

“Sometimes you might try and talk to them about something, ya know, ‘How is it going? How is that person taking care of you?’ And if they are very vague and don’t want to share information, or do you sense any fear in that person,” she said.

What the Northwoods Can Do

Elder abuse thrives in silence. Breaking that silence means recognizing the warning signs and knowing where to turn.

Red flags can include sudden changes in financial situations, unexplained withdrawals, isolation from friends and family, or a caregiver who seems overly controlling. Physical signs matter too — unexplained injuries, poor hygiene, or medication mismanagement.

If you notice these patterns, Haven Inc. offers a confidential starting point. Their 24-hour line means someone can get help even when the abuser is monitoring daytime activities.

The “start by believing” approach matters because victims often face skepticism, especially when the abuser is a respected community member or family caregiver. Statewide advocacy organizations emphasize that leaving immediately isn’t always safe or possible — coordinated safety planning reduces risk.

For those who want to support Haven’s work, the organization accepts donations and volunteers. Community education programs help teach recognition skills before crises occur.

Merrill and the surrounding Northwoods towns have always taken care of their own. Recognizing elder abuse as a community issue — not a private family matter — extends that tradition of looking out for neighbors.

If you or someone you know needs help, Haven Inc.’s confidential crisis line is available 24/7 at 715-536-1300. Making the call might be the hardest step, but advocates like Baacke will be there to listen and help figure out what comes next.

Catkins Animal Rescue in Park Falls is bursting at the seams. Since breaking ground on a new facility this past May, the all-volunteer shelter has been racing to meet a surge in surrenders, strays, and overcrowding that shows no signs of slowing down.

For Price County’s only animal shelter, the expansion isn’t just about more space — it’s about survival in an environment where inflation, post-pandemic disruptions, and rising living costs are pushing more pets through the door than ever before.

“We don’t have any choice,” says Tanya Belanger, Catkins’ shelter manager. “We need to get a larger building and a safer space for our animals.”

Why a Northwoods Shelter Is Running Out of Room

Catkins currently operates with just 10 dog kennels and limited cat space. Yet the rescue handles around 500 animals every year, with at least 70 in care at any given time.

The math doesn’t work. Volunteers and foster families are stretched thin, housing overflow animals in their own homes while the shelter juggles waiting lists for both dogs and cats.

Belanger points to a perfect storm of economic pressure. “Post-COVID, it’s kind of become a national crisis with shelters,” she explains. “Everywhere is overcrowded with animals. With inflation for pricing for food — just for humans and animals — gas prices, you name it. We’re seeing a huge influx.”

The numbers back her up. In 2023 alone, Catkins took in 475 animals, and all but three came from Price County itself. This isn’t a regional problem being dumped on Park Falls — it’s a local crisis rooted in the economic realities facing Northwoods families.

What the New Facility Will Bring to Price County

The planned expansion will nearly double Catkins’ dog capacity, adding six more kennels for a total of 16. The cat adoption center will grow significantly, and for the first time, the shelter will have a dedicated quarantine area for new intakes.

But one feature stands out as especially meaningful in the dead of a Wisconsin winter: indoor recreation space.

“In the winter when it’s 30-below in northern Wisconsin, our dogs have a really, really hard time. We’re really looking forward to having a lobby where the dogs can run and play and just be a dog instead of sitting in a kennel.”

Right now, dogs spend long stretches confined during the coldest months. The new building will give them room to move, play, and decompress — critical for both their physical health and adoptability.

Key improvements in the new facility include:

• 16 climate-controlled dog kennels with improved ventilation
• Expanded cat adoption center with separate intake and quarantine zones
• Indoor play and enrichment area for year-round exercise
• Improved safety features and updated veterinary prep space
• More efficient layout to reduce volunteer workload

The Fundraising Push Is Only Halfway There

Catkins set a goal of $700,000 to complete the project. Construction is underway, with a target completion date in late fall, but the fundraising campaign is far from finished.

“We are still fundraising,” Belanger says. “We still have a ways to go, but we are going ahead, because we don’t have any choice.”

The rescue accepts donations in person at the shelter, through the mail, or online via its building expansion campaign page. Every dollar goes directly toward construction costs, equipment, and getting animals out of cramped kennels and into a facility that can actually serve the community’s needs.

For a volunteer-powered nonprofit in a rural county, raising that kind of money is no small feat. But the alternative — turning away animals or relying indefinitely on overcrowded foster networks — isn’t sustainable.

What This Means for the Northwoods Community

Since 2008, Catkins has been the safety net for stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals across Price County. If you live in Park Falls, Phillips, Fifield, or the surrounding rural areas, this is your local rescue.

A larger facility means faster intake, fewer animals turned away, and less pressure on volunteers who’ve been absorbing the overflow in their own homes. It also means better outcomes for the animals themselves — more space, better health monitoring, and improved chances of adoption.

The economic factors driving shelter demand aren’t going away. Feed prices, veterinary costs, and gas bills are still high. Families who once kept pets are making hard choices. Strays and neglect cases continue to show up at the shelter’s door.

But with a facility built to meet the actual scale of need in Price County, Catkins can stop playing catch-up and start offering the kind of care that gives animals a real shot at a good home.

How You Can Help Right Now

Catkins is pushing toward the finish line on this expansion, and community support is what will get them there. If you’ve adopted from Catkins, fostered an animal, or just appreciate having a local rescue, now’s the time to pitch in.

Donations of any size make a difference. So does volunteering, fostering, or simply spreading the word about animals available for adoption.

This isn’t just about building a bigger shelter. It’s about making sure Price County has the animal welfare infrastructure it needs — especially as economic pressure keeps pushing more pets into the system. The Northwoods takes care of its own, and that includes the four-legged members of the community who need a second chance.