Volume One

Before the surprisingly swift heat of a mid-summer Wisconsin day, there’s a sweet freshness to the air. There is perhaps no better place in the city of Eau Claire to enjoy those moments than the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market, which has called the Phoenix Park Pavilion (300 Riverfront Ter., Eau Claire) its seasonal home for 20 years. Before then, though, the market hopped around to a few local locations, longtime Market Manager Deidra Barrickman said. Once you tally up those years, the Eau Claire farmers market has returned season after season for about 33 years, she said. Starting out as a vendor herself – with her mushroom farm – Barrickman became a charter member of the market’s board of directors a few years later, she recalled. She has managed the popular outdoor market since 2008. There are about 70 vendors signed up for this summer’s markets – which return weekly on Saturday mornings through May; on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from June through October – with at least 10 that have been members since the beginning, Barrickman said. This summer’s vendor goods running the gamut: veggies and fruits of all colors in the rainbow; local and regional proteins like beef, chicken, trout, pork and lamb; hot sauce, maple syrup, honey, salsa and hummus; fresh-cut flowers, hanging baskets and other plants; plus iced coffee, ice cream and food trucks slinging some fuel to shoppers. The Downtown Farmers Market also offers a match program for SNAP participants – “I’m happy and proud (to be able to do that),” Barrickman said – so those individuals can eat local, healthy food while stretching their food dollars. Click the link in our bio to read the full article. ✍: McKenna Scherer 📸: Andrea Paulseth

Grab your fish flops. We're getting Dialed In. ⚾️ Brought to you by our summer friends, @ecexpress

The 2026 Sounds Like Summer Concert Series lineup is now LIVE! From alternative rock to Irish sea shanties, we've got a little something for everyone this year. Mark your calendars with the following dates and grab some friends to enjoy the park, the grub, and the tunes. We'll see you at Phoenix Park for the season kickoff on June 4! A special thank you to our 2026 presenting partners Royal Credit Union and Festival Foods, alongside our supporting partners FASTSIGNS, Downtown Eau Claire, Window World, Hillside Dental , and UWEC's Event Production Crew, in addition to Morgan Music, which is back yet again as our opening act sponsor! We'll see you at the shows! *No concert on July 23 this season*

Fun fact: The city of Chippewa Falls is home to a total 526 acres of park and recreation land. Follow-up fun fact: That acreage is taken care of by the six-person Parks, Recreation & Forestry Maintenance team. If you do some quick math, that’s about 87 acres charged to each person. No biggie, right? *RECORD SCRATCH* The Maintenance team – Foreman Kevin Sweeney, Brian Anderson, Shane O'Connor, Zookeeper Cynthia Valentino, Assistant Zookeeper Micki Tompkins and Arborist Joe Wedemeyer – isn’t just focused on the greenery of the city. As Director John Jimenez pointed out, the crew plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in shaping nearly every outdoor space in Chippewa Falls, year-round. “From the moment visitors step into a city park, stroll through a trail or visit the (Irvine Park) Zoo, the impact of this team’s work is immediately visible," Jimenez said. “Across the park system, maintenance crews handle everything from mowing and landscaping to repairing playground equipment, shelters and restrooms.” Tack on urban forestry, care of the city’s athletic fields and seasonal projects, and it’s safe to say the Parks, Rec & Forestry Maintenance crew have more than enough going on to stay busy. The three-person administrative team of the department – Director John Jimenez, Recreation Supervisor Mikinley Prafke, Administrative Assistant Ashley Leahy – serves as the organizational backbone, Jimenez said. That responsibility includes departmental budget oversight, regulatory compliance management, licensing oversight with agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, customer service, events and facilities coordination and more. Beyond their overflowing plates of professional duties, these folks enjoy the same parks and places non-city staffers do, too. To that end, we asked each person to spill the beans on their personal favorite outdoors places or “hidden gem” picks. Here’s the scoop from your friendly neighborhood Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department. Click the link in our bio to read the full writeup. ✍: McKenna Scherer 📸: Andrea Paulseth

With 15 years of experience, Jody Marr is a true professional in the Chippewa Valley. Describing herself as "an agent for life," Jody has helped countless clients buy and sell their homes—many of them more than once. She prides herself on building lasting relationships with her clients, guiding them through every step of the real estate journey. The greatest reward for Jody is seeing the joy her clients feel when finding the home they love, and it's that moment that fuels her passion for her work. [SPONSORED POST]

The quest on April 25? raise funds for multiple sclerosis research – with unique oneshot campaigns for players of all skill levels. Eau Claire's third annual "Dungeons and Dragons & MS Donations" event, hosted at The Brewing Projekt on April 25, brought together D&D players of all backgrounds and specialties, to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research. In addition to the rotation of D&D campaigns, area vendors, small businesses and artisans – from No Brand Con to Undercity Games and Daily Dice Company – brought themed products and resources for folks to get plugged into the local gaming scene of the Valley. Proceeds from event ticket fees – as well as a silent auction offering – will go directly to multiple sclerosis research. Jordan Manley, the founder of Dungeons & Dragons & MS Donations, said the event would not be possible without volunteers, local organizers and broader gaming community who donated their time and efforts toward the cause. Click the link in our bio to view the full photoset. 📸: Luong Huynh

When I walked into House Blend Lighting & Design (215 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls • @houseblendstudio ) last week, founder Marnie Keilholz was sat at a worktable near the back of the shop, papers and a to-do checklist pushed to the side. Twenty years ago, it’s likely a similar scene took place in the Keilholz’s home – where Marnie acknowledged her design work had outgrown their dining room table. During a recent interview, owners and husband-wife duo Marnie and Mike Keilholz, with their daughter Ashley Tschida, let me pick their brains – before their next client stopped by – about what 20 years of local business ownership has been like. “We kind of go one day at a time,” Marnie said, pausing to reflect. She was honest about their two decades of entrepreneurship, noting “it’s definitely been highs and lows. It’s not all pretty. ... Especially when you’re just learning and trying new things.” “You love this,” Ashley interjected, a knowing smile shooting across the table at her mom. “I don’t think we could be here for 20 years if I didn’t love it,” Marnie said. A Wisconsin transplant, brought to the Midwest by Mike – a Wisco native and electrician – Marnie grew up on the West Coast. She poured over floor plans and pushed furniture around far more than the average child, thanks to her father, who was an engineer. Their work has taken them across the country to places like Boston, California and Idaho, as well as throughout the closer-to-home region. From commercial projects, including other local businesses, to residential projects in neighborhoods and the waterfront on Lake Wissota. House Blend also works on less expansive projects, including consultation and installation of unique, elegant lighting fixtures, one-room upgrades and more. “It’s also not all about getting new pieces,” Ashley noted. “We’re big in thrifting and working with what you already have. … It’s elevating a space and reusing what people already have in new ways, as well as introducing new details or pieces.” Click the link in our bio to read the full article. ✍: McKenna Scherer 📸: Andrea Paulseth

Calling all chalk artists! Artist registration is NOW LIVE for Chalkfest 2026. Register early to get special pricing and first dibs on your preferred square! In addition to the sidewalk masterpieces filling UW-Eau Claire's campus, Chalkfest is seeking artists and makers to exhibit original works and handmade goods during the annual Artist Market. A limited number of outdoor 10'x10' vendor spaces are available, with applications due on May 22. To learn more, visit the link in our bio!

According to media releases from both the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division (ECEDD) and ABF Ingredients (ABFI), Eau Claire has been selected as the location for a "new state-of-the-art facility" for one of ABFI's global specialty ingredients businesses, Ohly. ABFI acquired roughly 70 acres of land in Eau Claire's Gateway Northwest Business Park for the project – a 22,000-square-foot biomanufacturing facility – which will result in a total $247 million investment and 90-100 jobs ($24-$60/hour wage range). Construction efforts will begin sometime this year, ECEDD shared online, with three total phases of development planned through 2035. Construction efforts will employ about 30 individuals, ABFI's media release stated, with an initial investment of over $65 million. Once complete, it will also serve as Ohly's North American campus. Eau Claire was selected after a multi-year comprehensive evaluation of potential locations, citing the region's strong infrastructure – including its proximity to ABFI's existing state operations in Boyceville, the ECEDD media release stated. "The Eau Claire site will also be designed to accommodate long-term growth with the potential opportunity to expand operations in the future, further strengthening the region's advanced manufacturing base," ECEDD shared. "The project represents a meaningful step in expanding Eau Claire's presence in biomanufacturing and specialty ingredient production," ECEDD's statement continued, "aligning with broader trends in advanced and knowledge-driven manufacturing." Moving forward, the project still requires approvals related to construction and facility development. Those details will be shared as they become available, according to ECEDD. Click the link in our bio to view the full article. (Images via Ohly, ECEDD) ✍: McKenna Scherer

Happy hump day, Chippewa Valley. The weekend is near and it's feeling a bit more sweet (and savory) knowing that Food Truck Friday's 2026 season kickoff is just around the corner. Check out this week's lineup, gather your friends, and make a plan to fill up on some of the Chippewa Valley's finest mobile grub this Friday from 11am to 7pm!

Eau Claire's historic David Drummond House has been determined beyond repair. During the City of Eau Claire's Landmark Commission monthly meeting on April 20, EDJ Rentals staff shared images from a previously published “Site Assessment” video from December 2025. As published by Volume One last year, this video displayed the Drummond House’s open roof structure, damage and mold growth along the foundation and interior walls. The water damage present throughout the property was caused by the large volume of water needed to extinguish a previous fire in September, which had been sparked by a lightning strike. “That is a 30-day period – mandated by state law – that has to be followed," Associate City Planner Peter Baumgartner said. “Then, we can go ahead and approve the demolition permit,” he continued. During these 30 days, EDJ Rentals will work with the Wisconsin Historical Society to document the condition of the property before it is destroyed. With these efforts – as previously reported by Volume One and WQOW News 18 – there is intent to preserve some portions of the site: stained glass windows, decorative bricks, among other items yet to be determined. There currently is no determined use for the site moving forward, though he imagines the property will once again become a site for mixed use – from university students to young professionals in the Valley. “The most likely scenario is that we would try to put up a fitted building that fits within the historical nature of (the Third Ward) neighborhood... but something similar to what's there now,” EDJ Co-owner Joe Garlick said. “It’s going to be a couple of years, probably, before we see anything,” Baumgartner said of the State Street property. “(The owners) mentioned it could be as late as 2030 – because they wanted to do it right and contribute to the district.” Click the link in our bio to read the full article. ✍: Evelyn Nelson 📸: Beau Buckmaster / @upupandaround

Since 2009, the Chippewa Valley Roller Derby (@cvrderby09 ) has been gliding through our pocket of Western Wisconsin. Today, Eau Claire’s first flat track derby league has grown to over a dozen skaters – paired with a collection of board members, Non-Skating Officials (NSOs) and new players eager to begin a new skater program this summer. Recently, we caught up with the local derby crew, to remind ourselves of the CVRD’s enduring spirit and search for a permanent home in the Valley. As V1's Associate editor, Evelyn Nelson, was thrust into her very first roller derby practice, she left with a renewed sense of joy and the realization that anyone – regardless of identity – is welcome. Read our latest mini-feature, "You Can Roll With Us," and watch its companion video online at VolumeOne.org. Featuring music from "The Incomplete Amniography" by Eau Claire's own, The Amniotics. ✍️: Evelyn Nelson 📹: Alex Barber