☀️ Good Friday Morning, Coulee

In partnership with

Good Morning and Happy Friday, Coulee Region.

It’s Friday, so you know what that means. Today, we have a packed email.

I hope you all had a productive and positive week. Let’s finish strong. 💪🔥

Ready? Let’s do it. 👇

🎶 Song of the Day

Good vibes only👇

*If you want to listen along as you read, scroll to the top right of this email and click “Read Online”.

💬 Today’s Thought

📰 Quick Hits

• Crews respond to hotel fire in Black River Falls (News 8000)

• La Crosse County accepts $700K in federal funds for Brice Prairie rail crossing study (News 8000)

• DNR study shows Chronic Wasting Disease impacts on deer populations in Southwest Wisconsin (News 8000)

• La Crescent mayor explains need for federal rail safety grant (News 8000)

• A celebration of climate action from La Crosse area youth (WXOW)

• La Crosse mayor candidate Vicki Markussen talks homelessness, housing, and city administrator proposal (WIZM)

• UW-L Chancellor Beeby gives first-ever spring semester remarks, promotes 5-year plan now in the works (WIZM)

🍽 #ThatLooksGood

Today’s #ThatLooksGood comes from Daily Brew Co. in Westby!

Your Breakfast Is Holding You Back

Coffee alone isn’t breakfast.

For lasting energy, peak performance, and real health benefits, your body needs more than just empty calories. That’s where Huel Black Edition steps in. Packed with 40g of protein and 27 essential vitamins, it’s the ultimate high-protein meal, ready in just 30 seconds.

Start fueling your day the right way. Use code BEHUEL15 for 15% off your first order, plus a FREE t-shirt and shaker.

Upgrade Your Breakfast Today

*This is sponsored content. I earn income from clicks in this section. 

📆 What’s Happenin’

🤼‍♂️ RCCW Professional Wresting! @ Blue Collar Bar and Grill // Saturday, 7pm

RCCW is back in Sparta LIVE at the Blue Collar Bar and Grill! Your $10 entrance fee gets you a free domestic beer or soda and a seat to witness the best professional Wrestling in western Wisconsin! Seats will be limited so them while you can! Tickets will only be available for purchase in person at Beer Shop or Blue Collar Bar and Grill.

🎲 Castle Con @ Historic Chateau Theatre in Rochester // Fri-Sun Info Here

A Board Gaming Extravaganza in Rochester, Minnesota! Join us at the Historic Chateau Theater for 3 days of tabletop gaming. Tournaments, Prizes, Games for all interests and levels. Celebrate board gaming with local art, food, and drinks. Register here.

🐝 Beekeeping Seminar @ Nelson Agri-Center in Viroqua // Saturday, 9am

Tad and Arnie from Ridge and Valley Beekeepers Club will be at our store to give an informational beekeeping seminar! There will be information on starting and maintaining your hives and Q&A. Plus, all beekeeping supplies will be on sale.

🧘‍♀️ Poses and Pints @ Pearl Street Brewery // Saturday, 11am

Join Sara and Jamie for yoga at the brewery. Please bring your own mat and/or towel. Mat rentals $2. Suitable for beginners. All levels welcome! $11 includes Yoga and One Pint!

🍜 1st Annual Souper Bowl @ Wisco Johnny’s // Sunday, 1pm

You are invited to our 1st annual Souper Bowl! Bring you best soup recipe and compete for a chance to win! We will be giving prizes to the top 3 soups! (prizes announced soon) We will also need tasters/judges $5 to taste up to 20 soups and vote for your favorites!

🍷 Nachos and Sangria @ Elmaro Vineyard // Saturday, 12pm

It might be January, but Elmaro is serving up the fun of nachos and sangria!

🥣 Soup Flight Saturday @ the Groovy Grind Cafe in Galesville // Saturday, 11am

Ready to take your taste buds on a flavor-packed adventure? Join us for our Soup Flight Saturday event at the Groovy Grind Café, where you’ll sample a flight of FOUR of our most beloved soups, each one more delicious than the last! Think of it like a wine flight… but way warmer and with more carbs.

From creamy to savory, light to hearty, we’ve crafted a lineup that’ll make your heart (and stomach) swoon. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of classic tomato or you’re here to discover something new, our soup flight is the perfect way to explore all the cozy, comforting flavors we’ve got simmering. [full menu: Tomato basil, Mexican street corn, Cuban black bean, Loaded baked potato]

Here’s how it works:
- Order yourself a beverage!
- Start with your first 8oz soup, and keep tasting till you've tried all four! (Can take soups to-go if you get full!)
- Pair it with one of our famous paninis!
- Savor every spoonful and chat about your favorite picks!

Bring your friends, bring your appetite, and let’s make soup the star of the show. Space is limited—sign up soon, because this event is sure to sell out faster than you can say "second helping!"

There will be gluten free, dairy free and meatless soups available.

Tickets here.

📖 Friends of the Library Book Sale @ La Crosse Public Library // Today, 2pm

Need to stock up on reading materials? Stop by the Friends of the La Crosse Public Library book sale - a great way to support our fundraising efforts while getting some new books! Our Lower Level Book Room and Auditorium sale items will all be priced at $1.00 or less!

Adult Books: $1.00 for hardback books and $.25 for paperbacks
Children's & Teen Books: $.50 for hardback books and $.25 for paperbacks
$.25 for DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and vinyl records
$.10 for magazines, sheet music, craft patterns

Can't make it Friday? Stop by on Saturday from 9am-1pm or Sunday 1pm-4pm

🏍 Construction Party & New Model Showcase // Saturday, 10am

Join us for a double dose of excitement at our Great River Harley-Davidson Construction Party & New Model Showcase!

We're showing off the latest 2025 Harley-Davidson models and giving you an exclusive sneak peek at our exciting construction updates.

New Model Launch

Be the first to see the latest Harley-Davidson motorcycles up close and personal.

Construction Updates

Get a behind-the-scenes look at our expansion plans and see why we need more space to serve you better.

Competitive Pre-Owned Prices

Incredible deals on all pre-owned bikes - prices starting as low as $4,999!

Low Rates

Rates as low as 1.49% for a limited time.

FREE FOOD & REFRESHMENTS!

🌤 Weather

🤝☀️ Help Good Morning, Coulee Grow 📈

If you get value from this newsletter, please consider sharing it with friends, family, business owners, or other community members.

The first milestone in our referral program is a birthday shoutout—pretty sweet, right? Play your cards right and there might be a bumper sticker in it for you somewhere down the line. 😉

😀 News to Make You Smile

Congratulations to the River City Revolution on their FIRST GRAND CHAMPION at Milton Rock the Rock!

🎁 I got you a present

That’s right. The Good Morning, Coulee Spotify playlist is officially live. Right in time for Friday.

Feeling like the main character yet? Go listen ➡️

💝👩‍❤️‍👨 Looking for Valentine’s Weekend Plans?

This is NOT a sponsored placement. I just genuinely love these people and this venue. Alright, read it. 👇

Look, people. It’s not going to be often that I give my personal stamp of approval on something. But today, I’m going to.

Here’s a story. Last November, I got married to my wonderful wife at a venue that I’d never heard of: Big Raven Farms. We toured it, fell in love, put down the deposit, and the rest is history (good history).

The owners of this place—Joleen & Darin—have crafted such a unique and wholesome retreat experience so close to La Crosse that I frequently joked while I was there that I was going to do everything I could to keep it secret. I’ve decided to stop being selfish.

Joleen & Darin are hosting a Valentine Weekend for Two February 14-16. At the risk of alerting the masses to this place—I’m passing on this information to you. Because, even though we would like to, we are unable to attend this one.

So, here are the details…

Beautiful Accommodations 🌿

Stay in our charming and comfortable home, surrounded by inviting spaces and serene landscapes. Our luxurious and spacious rooms are equipped with all the modern amenities (including great wifi!) to ensure a restful night’s sleep to rejuvenate your spirit.

🌾 Farm-to-Table Dining

Savor delectable gourmet meals prepared by Darin Warling, the executive chef at Big Raven Farm, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our farm-to-table dining experience caters to all dietary preferences and requirements, with a focus on wholesome, nourishing cuisine.

Relaxation & Self-Care

During your time here, take advantage of our on-site hiking trails and yoga studio. Participate in optional activities such guided meditation or yoga, or simply curl up with a good book in one of our many cozy nooks.

Community & Connection

Forge lasting friendships with fellow retreat-goers as you bond over shared experiences. Our intimate setting allows for meaningful conversations and easy, comfortable relationships both with us and with each other. This will be an experience you’ll never forget!

Your 3-Day Retreat Package Includes…

• 3 days (2 nights) at our beautiful country estate.

• Daily farm-to-table breakfast and dinner.

• Unlimited access to our yoga studio.

• Complimentary high-speed wifi.

• Optional evening social events and entertainment.

Okay, that’s what they have on their website. And—it’s all true. But I’m going to give you the inside scoop. Here’s what else you get:

• Conversation with 2 of the best and nicest people I’ve ever met

• Access to one of the top 5 dogs I’ve ever met (Augie) (please make sure you throw his toy elephant for him like 5-10 times per day at least, thank you)

• Tons and tons of good stories from your amazing hosts

• Darin’s cooking (deserves a bullet point in my list as well even though it’s mentioned above)

• Literally the best coffee I’ve ever had

• Proximity to Spring Grove (plenty of fun little shops, places to grab a drink)

• You get to see, in real life, where I got married (may become a place of historical significance some day)

You can book your retreat here.

But you’re gonna need to promise me that when you fall in love with this place, you give me first dibs on all future retreats (your gift to me in exchange for sharing this hidden gem with you).

🤝 Help me out with something…

If you haven’t already, please Like & Follow us on Facebook!

📊 Tell me how you’re feeling…

Thank you for the feedback—please feel free to leave a comment when you record your response to let me know what you’d like to see more of!

🏈🏀 Local Sports

Thursday 1/23

Winona Girls Basketball vs. Century // 7:30pm

West Salem Girls Basketball vs. Menomonie // W 68-38

Logan Boys Basketball @ Reedsburg // W 58-53

La Crescent Girls Basketball vs. Central // L 21-59

Onalaska Girls Basketball vs. Holmen // L 46-53

Holmen Boys Basketball vs. Onalaska // W 73-66

West Salem Boys Basketball @ Viroqua // 7:00pm

Luther Boys Basketball vs. Westby // 7:00pm

Winona Boys Basketball @ Century // 7:30pm

Friday 1/24

Luther Girls Basketball vs. GET // 7:00pm

Logan Boys Basketball @ Sparta // 7:15pm

Logan Girls Basketball @ Sparta // 7:15pm

Aquinas Girls Basketball @ Tomah // 7:15pm

La Crescent Girls Basketball @ Grand Meadow // 7:15pm

Aquinas Boys Basketball @ Tomah // 7:15pm

Saturday 1/25

Onalaska Girls Basketball @ Fall Creek // 1:30pm

West Salem Boys Basketball vs. Appleton // 2:00pm

🎶 Live Music

Friday 1/24

5:30pm // Boot Hill Pub // Remix

6:30pm // La Crosse Bierhaus // Bierhaus Boys (Oktoberfest style music)

7:00pm // Onalaska American Legion Post 336 // DOWN EAST (classic rock/country)

7:00pm // Brick Sip Haus (Tomah) // Sal N Dean

7:00pm // St. Bernard Room @ Mt. La Crosse // Tripp & Fayme

7:00pm // The Freighthouse // Dan Sebranek (acoustic)

7:00pm // Smokey’s Bar & Grill // Zanny Noble (rock)

7:00pm // Features West Salem // Andy Hughes

7:30pm // Leo & Leona’s (Bangor) // Bill Miller ($20 Tickets)

8:00pm // MUDDY WATERS BAR (Trempealeau) // Rick & Dom Show

8:00pm // The Root Note // Charlieboy & Dad Bod (indie rock) ($5 cover)

8:00pm // Robin’s Nest // Jage Nichols

8:00pm // Whiskey River Bar & Grill (West Salem) // Solo Acoustic

10:00pm // Popcorn Tavern // Midwest Voltage, Thundergoat, and Neck Wrung (rock) $10 cover)

Saturday 1/25

6:00pm // Twin Bluffs Bar (Winona) // Kevin Clark & Derek Brown (live acoustics)

7:00pm // Hatchery Riverside // Sam Ness

7:00pm // Stockyard Grill & Saloon (Coon Valley) // Ryan Howe

7:00pm // Nordic Lanes (Rushford, MN) // UnHinged

7:00pm // St. Bernard Room // Tom Conrad

7:00pm // The Freighthouse // Dan Sebranek (acoustic)

7:30pm // Starlite Lounge // Mike James (jazz)

7:30pm // Leo & Leona’s (Bangor) // Joe, Jack, & Moriah Cody ($11 Tickets)

8:00pm // Popcorn Tavern // Matt Mahlum Band w/ Maddie & Kenny ($5 cover)

8:00pm // Robin’s Nest // Double Take (classic rock)

9:00pm // Smokey’s Bar & Grill (Holmen) // No Turnin’ Back

Sunday 1/26

1:00pm // Concordia Ballroom // The Music Connection Band (variety) ($10 cover)

Wednesday 1/29

6:00pm // Sapori di Sicilia (Winona) // Dante DeGrazia (classic piano)

Thursday 1/30

6:30pm // Schmidty’s // Randy Erickson’s Singalong Sideshow

Friday 1/31

7:00pm // Brick Sip Haus (Tomah) // Cousins K&J

I hope that I was able to get your Friday kicked off the right way.

Bask in the great vibes and have a wonderful weekend, neighbors. ❤️

Once again—it has been an absolute pleasure this week. I’ll see you first thing Monday.

Have something to say? You know what to do.

📥 👇

[email protected]