Thursday, July 2
Edition #395
GOOD MORNING, COULEE
Thanks for joining me this morning. In today’s newsletter…
🍻 Ecker’s is having their Beer Garden Opener this weekend. There’ll be live music, food trucks, and, y’know…beer »
🕰 Our local history segment might teach you something—all thanks to the folks at the La Crosse Historical Society.
📸 The opening reception for POPULACE: Letters from the Cottonwood happens this weekend at the Rivoli Arts Building. It’s a story about community connection that starts in Myrick Park »
🎨 You the type to color outside the lines? Maybe the Splatter Cave experience is right for you »
Alright, my friends. Let’s do this thing. 👇
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THOUGHT
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”
(GOOD) NEWS
What to expect at Riverfest 2026: New shade structures, historic commodore and four days of celebration // News 8 Now »
Mitchell Tenpenny ready to bring high-energy show to Riverfest in first La Crosse performance // WXOW »
Aquinas students make an impact at the Kane St. Community Garden // WXOW »
Rivoli Arts debuts 205 Gallery with Srna Dabikj’s “Letters from the Cottonwood” exhibit // WIZM »
WEATHER
🌅 Sunrise: 5:27am · 🌇 Sunset: 8:50pm · 🌙 Waning Gibbous (95.0%)
THURSDAY // ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms
High 85°, Low 70° · Storms develop in the afternoon with a few possibly severe — plan outdoor time for the morning
FRIDAY // 🌦️ PM Showers
High 85°, Low 69° · Showers arrive later in the day — another good morning to get outside early
SATURDAY // ⛈️ Thunderstorms
High 79°, Low 66° · Fourth of July brings a 70% storm chance — have a backup plan and check the radar before heading out
SUNDAY // ⛅ Partly Cloudy
High 84°, Low 66° · Storm clears and the sun returns — a nice recovery day to wrap up the holiday weekend
MONDAY // ⛅ Partly Cloudy
High 86°, Low 67° · Warm and pleasant to kick off the week
TUESDAY // ⛈️ Isolated Thunderstorms
High 86°, Low 67° · Mostly fine with a stray storm chance — nothing to derail the day
WEDNESDAY // ⛈️ AM Thunderstorms
High 87°, Low 67° · Storms roll through in the morning — should clear out by midday
⚠️ Heads Up: Severe storms are possible Thursday afternoon and again Saturday — the Fourth of July forecast carries a 70% storm chance. Keep tabs on the radar if you have fireworks or outdoor plans this weekend.
HAPPENINGS
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🏺 Featured Event Saturday Evening Pottery📅 Saturday, July 4 | 🕐 4:00–6:00 PM | 🎟️ $40 📍 All Glazed Up — 313 Pearl St, La Crosse Get your hands on the wheel — a guided 2-hour pottery class for teens and adults. No experience needed, just show up ready to create something with your own two hands. View Event Details → |
Riverfest La Crosse — Day 2 (Thursday) | Riverside Park Thu, Jul 2 · 8:00AM–12:00PM · Day 2 of Riverfest features the Senior & Military Breakfast, RCCW Pro Wrestling, Riverfest Idol Quarterfinals, and live music all day. Learn More →
🏖️ Bingo at the Beach | Black River Beach Thu, Jul 2 · 5:30–6:30PM · Sun, sand, and bingo! Bring the whole family to Black River Beach for a relaxed evening of fun, laughter, and exciting prizes. Learn More →
🎩 Magic of Isaiah | Riverfest La Crosse Children's Stage Thu, Jul 2 · 12:30–1:15PM · Isaiah's high-energy, interactive magic show is packed with incredible illusions, audience participation, comedy, and surprises that will captivate kids and adults alike. Learn More →
🛶 River Queens Guided Paddling Series | Prairie Island Campground Thu, Jul 2 · 6:00–8:00PM · Join the River Queens for a weekly guided paddling series on the Mississippi, focusing on community, confidence-building, and joy on the river. All experience levels are welcome to explore the backwaters and build skills. Learn More →
🎲 Game Night: Strategy Games (18+) | Sparta Free Library Thu, Jul 2 · 5:30PM · Get ready for a night of fun at the Sparta Free Library! Join us for Adult Game Night! This month's theme is strategy games! Bring your favorite strategy game, whether it be Settlers of Catan, Risk, or something else! Learn More →
🍑 Georgia Peaches & Dark Cherries Truckload Sale | Onalaska American Legion Post 336 Fri, Jul 3 · 11:00–11:30AM · Capture the essence of summer with our Georgia Peach & Dark Bing Cherries Truckload Sale! Sweet Georgia peaches grown right outside of Fort Valley Georgia and Delivered Direct to You. Learn More →
Business Owner? Support Good Morning, Coulee and get unlimited event promotion for just $49/month. Email [email protected] to become a sponsor!
HISTORY
Six days a week, letters and information arrive in our mailboxes. Yet it hasn’t always been that way.
The postmaster in La Crosse established a home delivery system on Oct. 10, 1884. Before that, local citizens had to pick up their mail at the post office, which in 1884 was located at the southeast corner of Fourth and Main Streets.
This metal badge belonged to Albert Daniels, who held one of the original five mail carrier positions in La Crosse.
Of the original group of letter carriers, only Albert Daniels made this job his career. He was originally Letter Carrier Number 4, but by 1888, the others had left, and Albert advanced in seniority to carrier Number 1. By the time Daniels retired about 1920, the post office utilized motor vehicles for parcels and special deliveries. Albert Daniels, La Crosse’s Letter Carrier No. 1, died in 1934 at age 80.
Image: La Crosse Letter Carrier number 1 badge worn by Albert Daniels, from the collection of LCHS.
COULEE CALLS IT
Mowing patterns. 🌿
LIVE MUSIC
Thursday, July 2
4:00 PM // 1905 Tap & Brew // Tim Bohemcamp at the 1905 Tap & Brew | Simply Smoked food truck // FREE
5:00 PM // Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant and Saloon // Eli Gardiner // FREE
5:30 PM // Sweet Beats Jazz & Dessert Lounge // Jeff Erickson Duo - Instrumental // FREE
Friday, July 3
3:00 PM // Elmaro Vineyard // Music by The Sistars // FREE
4:00 PM // Ecker's Apple Farm // Spies of Good Report // FREE
5:00 PM // Footjoy Farm and Brewing // Dave Kenworthy // FREE
5:30 PM // Sweet Beats Jazz & Dessert Lounge // John Paulson & Eric Heukeshoven Duo - Instrumental // FREE
6:00 PM // LUSH Wine Bistro // REMIX // FREE
6:00 PM // Adams St Pub // QUENTEN BROWN! // FREE
7:00 PM // Cat Daddy's Bar & Grill // Madlee // FREE
7:00 PM // Onalaska American Legion Post 336 // Cruise Control // FREE
7:00 PM // Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant and Saloon // People Brothers Band with special guest The Getaway // $15.45
9:00 PM // Popcorn Tavern // POLYACHI & Droids Attack // $5
Saturday, July 4
2:00 PM // Elmaro Vineyard // Music by Sampson & Son // FREE
3:00 PM // River Rats Bar and Grill // Old-Time Blues and Good-Time Folk with Jack Norton // FREE
4:00 PM // The Red Pines // Quenten Brown LIVE // FREE
9:00 PM // Popcorn Tavern // Rave, White, & Blue // $15
HANDY-DANDY LINKS
