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It’s not really ideal to go golfing in the snow.
The views off the fairway look like something out of White Christmas, yes, but when the hole is snowy and you’re “putting” powder rather than the green, don’t expect to break any course records. And worst of all? Thanks to all the white stuff on the ground, you can’t tell the difference between a snowball and a golf ball until you thwack it.
Welcome to a snow-birdie’s nightmare; golf is canceled for the next few months.
That is, unless you take this “golden” opportunity to perfect your game at Rome’s newest business—Golden Ferret Golf Sims.
Oktoberfest, the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, is the world’s largest beer festival, taking place in late September or early October every year. Six million thirsty visitors converge on this capital city, guzzling down over 2,000,000 gallons of beer as they’ve been doing since 1810.
The popularity of this multi-day celebration has inspired similar events all around the world - with the largest events being held in Kitchener, Ontario, which was formerly known as Berlin, (go figure), Blumenau, Brazil, and Cincinnati, Ohio of all places.
Wisconsin, as you might imagine, with our rich German heritage, hosts Oktoberfests in every corner of the state from La Crosse to New Glarus, Chippewa Falls, Cedarburg, Lake Geneva, and Germantown (again, go figure) to name some of the largest. Each one as good as the next, and all are worthy of a visit.
But if you can’t make it to one of these celebrations, don’t fret. In fact, don’t even bother trying, because we now have our own Oktoberfest right here in Rome, Wisconsin.
How big is a bubble? Kind of a silly question, isn’t it? You can’t really answer it, can you?
Well, it turns out you can, and I’ll explain, but first, let me set the background for where I’m going with this.
The appeal of Rome, Wisconsin, is largely defined by our natural resources, especially the lakes that are at the heart of everything we stand for. Lakes Arrowhead, Camelot, Petenwell, and Sherwood, provide beautiful landscapes beyond compare, with unlimited recreational opportunities that serve as a source of pride for local residents and visitors alike.
But, sometimes we take what we have for granted, And like waterways all across the planet, these vital bodies of water face significant threats from pollution, which obviously impact the health, well-being, and quite frankly, the value of the very thing we cherish so much.
“Just keep swimming.”
Anyone of a certain age would attribute this saying to a spirited Blue Tang that swam onto movie screens in 2003. Or if you’re like me, you also associate it with seven years of swim team and countless laps in the chlorinated pool every fall.
But just for a moment, take away the stinging scent of chlorine in your nose and the vibrant blues of Pixar’s underwater haven and replace it with the vast, unpredictable open waters.
That’s where Melodee Liegl thrives.
As I sit here in my office, early morning, staring at a blank screen, sipping on a hot cup of coffee, desk lamp shedding some much-needed light, and a ceiling fan whirring slowly over my shoulder, my mind wanders to days gone by. To a time before electricity. To a time before all the modern conveniences we’ve come to depend on.
A time before laptops, coffee makers, light bulbs, and ceiling fans. Before just about everything we use in our daily lives today. And unless we find ourselves in a quiet moment of retrospection, like I did, we tend to take it all for granted, don’t we?
So, what would it be like to live without all our stuff? What would it be like to live like an early settler here in central Wisconsin?
You know that feeling you get when you’re floating on the water? Warm sun on your face (lathered in SPF 50, of course), a fresh breeze in the air, a peaceful quiet, and the real world is a million miles away. For some of us, there’s no better feeling in the world.
Whether on it, in it, or just being around it, water creates benefits well beyond the obvious recreational enjoyment. It’s a fact, “lake life” also encourages good physical and mental health including reduced blood pressure, lower cholesterol, heart health, and a true sense of overall well-being.
I think, though, that my favorite thing about summer in Rome might just be the live music. It’s seemingly everywhere. On any given day, music pours out of the doors from the many establishments throughout the area tempting us to come on in and enjoy, as if that wasn’t already our plan. And then there’s the outdoor acts which fill the summer air with some of the best music you’ll hear anywhere. Especially from the lineup of bands performing at the Rome Town Center Bandshell. Dedicated last June, it didn’t take long for the “these-guys-are-good” concerts to quickly become the “can’t-wait-for-the-next-one” event of the summer for locals and visitors alike. This year's Summer Concert Series at the bandshell, presented by Visit Rome, promises to build on that success by inviting back a couple of last year's favorites mixed in with a couple of first timers. And to be sure, they have just about every genre covered - from country to rock to bluegrass, jazz, blues, R&B, Christian, and even polka. Truly something for everyone.
Those of us who regularly drive up and down Highway 13 in Rome, Wisconsin, have something in our backyard that is, without a doubt, the envy of motorheads near and far.
I’m talking about Dyracuse Recreational Park. A park unlike others. A park designed by off-roading enthusiasts, for off-roading enthusiasts, to do all the things off-roading enthusiasts like to do.
Situated on over 700 acres, the park is a rider’s dream come true. There are challenging, heart-pumping motocross and supercross trails for the if-fast-is-good-then-faster-is-better riders. And there are more well-mannered trails for those of us who might just want a scenic, more leisurely ride, designed with that in mind. There is even a newly updated pee wee track for the wee little ones.
Petenwell Lake is a 23,000-acre freshwater reservoir shared by Adams, Juneau, and Wood counties in central Wisconsin. It is the second-largest inland lake in Wisconsin and is a popular destination not just for fishing, but boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and every other conceivable lake activity.
But this particular weekend in May, it’s all about the fishing. Walleye fishing, to be specific. Or Walters, Wallys, or W’s as they’re sometimes colloquially called. Tournament participants will vie for more prizes and prize money than you can shake a rod at. Oh, and as always, bragging rights, which some say is the ultimate trophy.
The fox. If you’ve ever watched one you know they can be absolute tricksters. They're clever, cunning, and maybe even a little mischievous.
And that’s precisely why Rome, Wisconsin’s newest golf course, called Sedge Valley, embraced the wily fox as its mascot and logo.
Like the other four courses at the Sand Valley, Sedge Valley capitalizes on the area’s sandy soil, native ground cover, and rolling dunes, but blends it with a belief that great golf holes can be built by bucking convention and using guile as its guide.
By the late 1900s, Rome’s transition was in full swing. No longer was the area defined by productivity from farming, logging, manufacturing, and the like, but rather by those seeking respite from those very things. Oh, don’t hear me wrong. Rome still has its strong midwest work ethic. We still work hard. We’re still driven by the satisfaction of success in our professional pursuits. It’s just that, as they say, we work hard and we play hard.
Looking outward, the years that bookended 1900 saw many major accomplishments across the country - Thomas Edison patented the first viable light bulb (1879), USS Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor in Cuba, igniting the Spanish - American War (1898), and the Wright brothers took flight over North Carolina (1903),
Here at home in Rome, though, our entries into the history books were a little less consequential, but important, nonetheless. The Wisconsin Central Railroad began service between Portage and Stevens Point, and The Milwaukee Road Railroad reached Necedah, opening up trade and commerce lanes well beyond what the river provided (1877). Telephone service found its way into Adams County (1918). And State Trunk Highway 13 which cleaves its way north and south through the heart of Rome was officially designated (1920).
One can get to Rome, Wisconsin from anywhere - Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee - they’re all just a couple hour’s drive. Madison’s just an hour and a half, and the touristic Wisconsin Dells, less than 45 minutes.
And people do come - from near and far. They come for the lakes. And the golf. And the restaurants, bars, and shopping. They come for the farmers’ market, the off-roading, and the hiking. The trapshooting, tennis, and simply the unmatched beauty that Mother Nature so pridefully created.
They come for a day, a week, or a summer. Some come and never leave. Indeed, Rome is a destination with an increasingly wide appeal for people of all places.
But why is Rome where it is? How did it get here? And why, with a seemingly endless number of choices for a name, did the founders decide to share a name with the most famous city in the world?
Well, let’s find out. Let’s start at the beginning. Better yet, let’s start before the beginning.
Painted crowns, penthouses, and bobbles. Hand-stitched balls that ricochet around a court shaped like a medieval marketplace. Fanatical players dedicated to a sport that has hardly changed in more than four hundred years.
Welcome to court tennis.
Court tennis, sometimes called “the sport of kings” – is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis is derived. Court tennis is also known as real tennis by our British friends, royal tennis by our friends down under, and jeu de paume by our French speaking friends. Although when I say known, I mean known by only a select few who have discovered what was once also called “the most beautiful game.”
It may be beautiful, but court tennis remains somewhat obscure here in the states. That is, until now.
For the last 125 years, the National Audubon Society has hosted an event to observe and tally birds of all feathers across the United States, Canada, and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere. This event, which takes place annually at Christmastime is aptly called, The Christmas Bird Count.
It all started back in 1900 whe an American ornithologist named Frank Chapman along with 26 other conservationists, initiated “The Christmas Bird Count” (CBC) on, you guessed it, Christmas day, as a way of promoting conservation by counting, rather than hunting, birds. CBC has been running every year since, and has expanded to over 20 countries, with thousands of bird-loving volunteers eagerly participating.
The Christmas Bird Counts are conducted on a single, specific day between December 14 and January 5. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a coordinator called the compiler. Volunteers follow specified routes, counting every bird they see, or hear, as they often devote the entire day to the project.
Sometimes I wonder who the first person was to try fishing on a frozen lake. Was it a hungry settler looking for something to fill a growling belly in the heart of a long, cold winter? Probably. Or was it simply someone who was too impatient to wait for the spring thaw to do what they love to do most? Maybe.
Either way, we know one thing for sure. For some of us, without ice fishing, it would definitely be a long, cold winter here in Wisconsin.
Indeed, Wisconsin offers plenty of other outdoor winter activities, but if you’re an angler, nothing comes close to the satisfaction of dropping a line in the water, the rush you feel with “fish on,” and finally, reeling in a keeper. So, why wouldn’t we take our favorite summer pastime to the frozen lakes of central Wisconsin?
They will come out in the early morning of an otherwise typical Wisconsin winter day. They will come one-by-one, team-by-team, to play a game that, for some, hasn’t been played since childhood. And for others, a game they play every chance they get.
They come out to play hockey—but not just any hockey. They come out to play pond hockey in the third annual Sand County Classic, taking place at Sand Valley Resort, a four-season destination in Central Wisconsin.
New-fallen snow blankets Wisconsin in pristine serenity. Each flake's delicate intricacy forms a tranquil, glistening landscape. It hushes the world, slowing time, and inviting a quiet, sacred pause. Clean, crisp air refreshes, while the touch of snow on one’s skin feels like nature's gentle embrace, captivating all our senses.
There’s nothing more magical.
That is, until we have to go somewhere!
While the snow-covered landscapes can be picturesque, especially in beautiful Rome, Wisconsin, the challenges that come with it are very real. The good news is that Wisconsin boasts some of the best snow removal systems in the country.
I can’t think of anything more serene, more cathartic, than a walk in the woods. In summer, the woods teem with life, but curiously, it’s the winter woods that fascinate me most. The quiet of the forest under a blanket of snow. The leafless trees and ground cover amplify natural sounds and bring the wildlife out from their summer cloak. The air, so clean, so crisp, your lungs fill with pure pleasure. Indeed, trekking alone, or with friends, on one of Rome’s many trails, will take you on a journey a million miles from reality.
Rome, Wisconsin has an incredible array of natural resources - native prairies, vast green forests of pine, oak savannas, marshy ponds, bountiful lakes, and prehistoric sand dunes.
Each year, thousands of people make the most of what nature has provided as they fish, hike, bike, boat, ski, bird watch, and a thousand other things, making Rome one of the most “outdoorsy” places in the country.
It’s no secret that one of the most popular outdoor activities is hunting. Wisconsin’s waterfowl hunters are some of the nation's most dedicated and involved conservationists. Small game hunters, the same thing. And white-tailed deer - Wisconsinites can’t get enough.
Wisconsin has 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, 15,000 lakes, and more than 5 million acres of wetlands. This may be the number one reason that those of us who live here love it so much, and those who visit come back time after time.
We play on it. We swim in it. We drop a line and we fish in it. And of course, we drink it and bathe in it. Luckily, there is an abundance of it now, and forever. Right?
Wrong.
The truth is, like every resource on the planet, if we don’t protect it from overuse or misuse, it won’t be here tomorrow. And the problem is, we, as humans, sometimes don’t think about tomorrow. That’s why the rivers and streams, lakes, and wetlands are not as plentiful and healthy as they once were.
As summer gently gives way to autumn, nature stages one of its most breathtaking transformations. The once-green canopies of trees become a mosaic of red, orange, and gold, painting the landscape in hues that seem almost too vivid to be real. This annual spectacle never fails to impress. And though we may be saddened by the impending end to summer, we can’t wait for yet another new masterpiece of nature's artistry.
And it’s not just a feast for the eyes. One can smell the falling leaves as they dance in the crisp cool air. Each breath feels clean and refreshing, as if the world has been scrubbed anew. In the midst of this seasonal shift, there’s a profound beauty that encourages us to slow down and just enjoy the nature that surrounds us - especially in beautiful Rome, Wisconsin.
Fall golf might just be the best golf — but it doesn’t last forever…
It’s been a marvelous fall, weatherwise, and the golf courses here in Rome, Wisconsin are rewarding us with some of their best playing conditions of the year. Sure the ferns in the woods, (where I tend to spend a little too much time), have turned brown on the tips, and the oak leaves and pine needles are letting go one by one at an incredible clip, but temperatures continue to cooperate and the grass continues to grow. So, we play as much golf as we can. In fact, some of us, almost subconsciously, start to play a little more often. Maybe even everyday.
Why? Because just like the squirrel that scurries back and forth across the fairway storing up nuts, we know that our days are numbered. And that number gets smaller with every flip of the calendar. So, we grab our clubs, put on a jacket, and tee it up again, and again, enjoying every round, because fall golf satisfies in ways that summer golf can’t.
Maybe we’re buried in spreadsheets and meetings. Maybe it’s soccer games and grocery stores. Housework and homework. Or maybe we simply don’t know where to go. Whatever it is, it’s time to get our priorities in order and go for a hike.
And you’re definitely in the right place if you’re in Rome, Wisconsin, because Rome is a hiker’s paradise. With dedicated trails criss-crossing the hills, prairies, and sand dunes, not to mention the Town Center, it’s pretty easy to make hiking part of your regular routine.
Feeling out of shape? Not to worry. There’s a trail for every skill level - whether you’re just now getting off the couch for the first time, or your closet looks like a Patagonia showroom - there’s a trail for you.
In recent years, there has been an increased loss and disturbance of insect populations at breeding sites and all along avian migration routes. The transformation of natural spaces like forests and grasslands by intensive agriculture and urban development continue to negatively impact insect populations. Pesticides and herbicides also add to the elimination of insects, which in turn reduces the survival and reproductive rates of virtually all bird species.
So, this year, The World Migratory Bird Day campaign will stress the need for proactive conservation measures. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and where possible, switching to organic farming. Other measures include maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation which provide food and shelter for not just birds, but many other creatures, big and small.
Kayak. What a fun word to say. Kayak. Have you ever wondered where it originated? Probably not, but I’m about to tell you anyway.
The word kayak comes from an Inuit word meaning “man-boat” or “hunting boat.” Long, long ago, the Inuits of Greenland used kayaks made from animal skins stretched over wooden or whale-bone frames for transportation, hunting, and fishing. Fast forward a bunch of years and the kayak has morphed into a sleek, polyethylene bullet of a boat that’s not really used for hunting or as our main mode of transportation anymore.
But kayaking is one of today’s most popular watersports. It provides you with opportunities to go places and experience things you couldn’t otherwise. Kayaking is unique in that you can paddle your way through shallow streams, rivers, and creeks leaving bigger boats behind gawking with envy. Or you can cruise the lake - along the shore or right down the middle - at your own leisurely pace.
Whether you're an experienced ornithologist or a casual observer, Rome, Wisconsin is the perfect destination for bird watching. In fact, Rome received the coveted designation as an official Bird City in 2016 and today, people from just about everywhere come with their binoculars and notepads to see birds of every feather.
Picture this; you’ve driven four hours to vacation in an area that is brimming with things to do and see. You’ve heard so much about it, but you really don’t know where to start. Where to stay. Where to play. Where to eat.
Good thing there’s a group of dedicated people whose sole purpose is to help people like you make the most of your time here. So, you look up their address on your phone. GPS brings you there as she always does, but you drive right by. Turn around and drive by again. And again. The place you're looking for isn’t here. Instead, there’s a real estate office.
Darn GPS.
Then from the back seat, one of the kids shouts out, “there it is,” pointing to a sign just below the realtor's sign. GPS was right, after all. The welcome center is actually located inside the real estate office.
Like many small town libraries, the Rome Library is a cornerstone of the community, weaving itself into the very fabric of local life. Within its walls, a treasure trove of resources—from books and digital media to educational programs and community events. The library is not merely a repository of books, but a dynamic space where curiosity is nurtured, literacy is championed, and lifelong learning is made accessible to all. But here’s the deal. The Rome Library would not be the wonderful resource we all enjoy today if not for the ongoing efforts of another dedicated group of individuals calling themselves Friends of the Library.
Press/News/Articles
A Wisconsin Master Naturalist training course is happening for the first time in the central sands region of the state. This training through the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension is in coordination with the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Jean Mansavage is the local contact and one of the instructors for the Sand Counties Wisconsin Master Naturalist Training.
“ This is the first chance to actually learn more about the natural history and the cultural history as it relates to it here in the central part of the state,” explains Mansavage.
Wisconsin's three-decade run of hosting seven major golf championships — and a Ryder Cup — may have ended last weekend with the 2025 U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills. But the state will continue to be a mecca for the sport.
Golf Digest released its annual ranking of the America's 100 Greatest Public Courses last week and, despite the limited number of warm-weather days in the state, Wisconsin led the country with 11 courses on the list.
What might be more impressive is that six of the 11 courses are ranked in the top 25. Fourth-ranked Whistling Straits, 10th-ranked Erin Hills and 17th-ranked Blackwolf Run have been sites for major championships, but Sand Valley in Nekoosa now has three courses in the top 25, including The Lido, which is new to the list at No. 12.
Ancient Rome is a significant chapter in human civilization that continues to capture our imagination. It is renowned for its profound influence on law, politics, and culture. Although the empire has long since dissolved, its impact is felt worldwide, with towns across the United States adopting its name. Wisconsin is no exception, boasting not one, but two communities named Rome.
Ahead of January 4, 2025—a day dubbed “National Spaghetti Day” by the internet—I’m diving into a critical comparison: Rome in Jefferson County vs. Rome in Adams County. The goal? To find out which Wisconsin Rome serves the best spaghetti.
Located on a thousand acres of rolling hills in central Wisconsin, it is often referred to as the Bandon Dunes of the Midwest. A walking-only course that pays homage to the heathland courses of London, it features 80-foot sand dunes rolling across 1,700 acres. Once the lakebed of an ancient glacial lake, its sandy base makes for firm and fast playing conditions.
With Lake Arrowhead, Bullseye and SentryWorld all within a short drive, there is a ton of great golf in the Nekoosa/Wisconsin Rapids area. If you’re looking for a perfect way to bookend a Sand Valley trip, or great destination for a standalone, affordable 36-hole in-state getaway on some really fun, classic Wisconsin golf courses then the tracks at Lake Arrowhead may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Kiba Freeman was selected out of five finalists to spearhead this project. “It’s nice to kind of be the first to start something in the area and hopefully do a lot more public art and reinvigorate certain parts of the area,” said Freeman.
The mural is Freeman’s largest ever. It’s more than 2,000 square feet and he will use almost 200 cans of spray paint to complete it.
“I do a lot of vibrant work and whimsy and flow space things, it’s kind of nice to be able to do a full nature scene which is basically about the Town of Rome and a lot of the things they hold dear,” said Freeman.
Vocals, vibes, and votes! The summer of 2023 brought a wave of musicians to Rome, Wisconsin. Jordan Bain, Kylar Kuzio, Midwest Karate, Savannah, Strategic, and The Last Bottom Fig Plucker competed for the title of Hoozels Rise to Music Champion of 2023 on Thursday, July 27th.
The 2nd Annual Hoozels Rise to Music Competition will be hosted on Thursday, July 27th. This year six contestants will compete for the title of Hoozels Rise to Music Champion of 2023. Hoozels at the Lakes would like to extend their appreciation to all the musicians that registered this year. Musician registration numbers resulted in a modified contest, therefore, what was an eight-week competition in 2022 will be a one-night winner take all event in 2023.
Rome, Adams County, WI (March 24, 2023) – The Town of Rome is excited to be seeking artists for the community’s first public art project. The project will be a mural on the east and south sides of the Town’s Public Works building. This building is highly visible from State Highway 13 making it an excellent location to kickoff additional public art projects throughout the community.
The mural project guidelines are general. Artists should be imaginative in making use of this space. The proposed building is metal and artists are encouraged to paint directly on to the building, however, we will accept proposals that use other mediums instead of the metal siding. An ideal project will capture the identity of our community, be vibrant and welcoming, and recognize the significance of this being the Town’s first public art display.
Visit Rome, Inc. continued to show unwavering support for its community with its commitment of $100K towards workforce development initiatives, including financial assistance of the Culinary Arts Certification Program at Mid-State Technical College in central Wisconsin. Last year, Visit Rome, an organization dedicated to helping businesses in the area grow and prosper, funded 100% of the program costs with a grant allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the federal program enacted to boost the sluggish economy affected by the COVID pandemic.
The Town of Rome boasts one of the most distinctive habitats for birding in Wisconsin. Once the bed of a glacial lake, Rome’s landscape is made up of sand barrens and rolling pines. Due to this unique topography, Rome is the home of many bird species including the endangered Kirtland Warbler, Whooping Cranes, Bald Eagles, Clay Colored Sparrows, and many more.
While accepting our National Club of the Year Award from ACSA, our club was surprised with the news that we were being named the International Club of the Year. As a result of that award, we will be inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held at Eagle Waters Resort in Eagle River, WI on the weekend of September 16th, 2022.
This was Rome’s 4th Christmas Bird Count. We work together with expert birders to cover our count area. Some volunteer surveyors’ bird from home, others walk public lands/trails, and some drive their area with the windows down listening for bird calls.
Visit Rome Wisconsin, Inc. is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to provide comprehensive professional services for the Link the Lakes Tunnel & Trail System. Comprehensive professional services include providing architectural and engineering services for the plan, design and bid construction of the Link the Lakes Tunnel & Trail System.
“Whether you’re from the Midwest, looking for a classic family summer vacation, or you’re based further afield, Wisconsin offers a playground perfect for outdoor fun. Sand Valley, located in the heart of the state, is quickly making it’s mark as one of the top golf destinations with its three different courses: Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, and The Sandbox.”
ROME — Visit Rome, WI is excited to announce that the Town of Rome has once again achieved “Sustained Flight” status in the Bird City Wisconsin Program. This is the Town of Rome’s 5th consecutive year of being recognized as a Wisconsin “Bird City.”
“I birded Adams quite a bit last year after moving back from Asia and the emphasis on the local during this pandemic. About four months into 2020, I saw in eBird that a well known name in Wisconsin birding, the late Rev. Samuel Robbins, Jr., had a 219 year in 1955, so for kicks I set out to try to beat it as I had a decent foundation for a Big Year from the first four months.”—Richard Wagner
ROME — The Rome Fire Department partnered with members of the Rome Sno-Bandits (RSB) to stage a mock snowmobile accident. The Rome Fire Department used this staged accident as a training exercise for real life challenges of remote rescue. At the conclusion of the training exercise, the Rome Sno-Bandit Board presented a check to the Town of Rome Fire Department that will allow them to purchase a Medlite Transport Deluxe MTD-103.
ROME — The Keiser brothers are building a private club whose mission is to restore and preserve the great masterpiece of C.B. Macdonald. With the help of a private membership, Michael and Chris Keiser will build The Lido on pure sand dunes just north of Sand Valley.
Adding just a few native plants can not only help provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds and other wildlife but can increase your chances of watching wildlife. Rain gardens with specialized native wetland plants can also help handle stormwater on a property and help keep lakes, rivers and groundwater clean.
ROME — Sand Valley is now marketing itself as a four-season resort. With the golf courses having closed Oct. 20, the sprawling resort in the Town of Rome could use some of the white fluffy stuff to transform into a true winter wonderland.
MADISON — Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-Designee Sara Meaney presented five recipients with Governor’s Tourism Awards for their contributions to the state’s hospitality and travel industry during a virtual presentation. Among those honored was Cameryn Kwaterski - Executive Director of Visit Rome, WI, Inc.
Hunting Start Dates for the 2020-2021 season:
Archery and Crossbow | Sept. 12 - Jan. 3, 2021
Extended Archery and Crossbow | Jan. 4 - 31, 2021
Traditional Nine Day Gun Deer | Nov. 21-29, 2020
Muzzle loader | Nov. 30 - Dec. 9, 2020
Four-day Antlerless Hunt | Dec. 10-13, 2020
ADAMS COUNTY — Adams County, located in central Wisconsin, has formally established the State’s 30th County Forest. Collectively, these counties manage over 2.4 million acres of forest lands, the largest public ownership in Wisconsin.
ROME — The WTA Homegrounds Complex has hosted the Annual Wisconsin State Shoot since 2013. Though entries were down nearly 200 from last year’s 2019 event, there were still a recorded 5,100 entries in 13 events over the six days of competition.
ROME — Rome is officially designated as a "Snowmobile Friendly Community" by the AWSC - Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs. The Sno-Bandits applied for this distinction by completing a 21-Page Application describing how our Destination & the Club advocates for safe and responsible snowmobiling in our community.
MADISON — Gov. Evers' Safer at Home order recognizes outdoor activity as essential. As such, the 2020-2021 Game Fish season will proceed as planned opening on May 2. Anglers are encouraged to fish close to home, all regulations and license requirements apply.
MADISON — Spring turkey season will open April 15, 2020. Hunters should practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read More in the Wisconsin DNR’s most recent news release.
ROME — Sand Valley is pleased to announce that Michael Carbiener has joined the team as General Manager. In this role, Carbiener will oversee all resort operations for the growing Midwest destination.
ROME — Visit Rome is gearing up for their inaugural Rome Fat Bike Fest, taking place February 28 - March 1, 2020 at Sand Valley. With help from a $7,350 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, organizers will be marketing the event to fat tire bikers from across Wisconsin and the North-Central Midwest.
There’s something quietly magical about spring in Rome, Wisconsin. It doesn’t arrive all at once, but rather unfolds gently—like a long exhale after winter’s grip finally loosens. Snow melts into memory, the lakes begin to shimmer again, and the forests wake up in soft shades of green.
Mornings here feel especially alive. It’s the perfect time for slow walks, where you might hear nothing but birds returning from migration and the crunch of thawing ground beneath your boots - a reminder that everything is starting over again.