MONROE - Is the idea too wild to expect Monroe to become the destination for a Midwest local food discovery experience?
A ground swell of support for the idea among several organizations has begun - and members of those organizations think it's not only probable, but very possible.
The big remaining questions are what this cultural food experience and downtown catalyst would look like, and what it would offer to the region's residents and tourists.
"It could be anything," Sharon Riese, Monroe, said.
More than cheese? More than chocolates? More than sauerkraut and a bratwurst on a crusty bun; all washed down with a frosty local beer? More than cream puffs?
Riese, along with David Riese and Donna Bahler, acting as the only known ad hoc committee for the idea in Green County, are stepping up the search for answers to those questions.
On April 20, they will pull together representatives from city and county organizations and members of the general public for a wild ideas party.
"We want people to come up with the wildest ideas - and some appropriate ones - to find what could be built downtown with our food, locale and people," David Riese told the Monroe Main Street Board of Directors Monday.
Cara Carper, Green County UW-Extension agent, will be facilitating the evening of wild ideas with some strategic planning.
"We'll take the list of wild ideas and figure out the best ideas," David Riese said.
To prime the process, Barry Levenson will discuss what Green County has to offer, and he will remain to talk with attendees about their ideas. Levenson started the Mustard Museum of Mt. Horeb with just 10 jars bought at his local grocery store.
"Barry Levenson is a real hustler," David Riese said about the Mustard Museum's growth and move to a $1.5 million facility in Middleton.
Sharon Riese and Donna Bahler have some ideas for the center that are drawn on the needs of the region - meeting places, education and a library, display rooms, a processing kitchen - and anything that will keep the story of Green County.
Groups supporting a large, multi-faceted, food discovery center include Green County Development Corporation, Green County Tourism, Green County Young Professionals, Future Forward, Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minhas Craft Brewery and Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh.
As the vision takes shape, Bahler expects more people will look to the center as a drawing place, as a mixture of preserving the "old world" heritage and braving the new world to come.
"The idea is evolving," Bahler said.
A ground swell of support for the idea among several organizations has begun - and members of those organizations think it's not only probable, but very possible.
The big remaining questions are what this cultural food experience and downtown catalyst would look like, and what it would offer to the region's residents and tourists.
"It could be anything," Sharon Riese, Monroe, said.
More than cheese? More than chocolates? More than sauerkraut and a bratwurst on a crusty bun; all washed down with a frosty local beer? More than cream puffs?
Riese, along with David Riese and Donna Bahler, acting as the only known ad hoc committee for the idea in Green County, are stepping up the search for answers to those questions.
On April 20, they will pull together representatives from city and county organizations and members of the general public for a wild ideas party.
"We want people to come up with the wildest ideas - and some appropriate ones - to find what could be built downtown with our food, locale and people," David Riese told the Monroe Main Street Board of Directors Monday.
Cara Carper, Green County UW-Extension agent, will be facilitating the evening of wild ideas with some strategic planning.
"We'll take the list of wild ideas and figure out the best ideas," David Riese said.
To prime the process, Barry Levenson will discuss what Green County has to offer, and he will remain to talk with attendees about their ideas. Levenson started the Mustard Museum of Mt. Horeb with just 10 jars bought at his local grocery store.
"Barry Levenson is a real hustler," David Riese said about the Mustard Museum's growth and move to a $1.5 million facility in Middleton.
Sharon Riese and Donna Bahler have some ideas for the center that are drawn on the needs of the region - meeting places, education and a library, display rooms, a processing kitchen - and anything that will keep the story of Green County.
Groups supporting a large, multi-faceted, food discovery center include Green County Development Corporation, Green County Tourism, Green County Young Professionals, Future Forward, Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minhas Craft Brewery and Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh.
As the vision takes shape, Bahler expects more people will look to the center as a drawing place, as a mixture of preserving the "old world" heritage and braving the new world to come.
"The idea is evolving," Bahler said.