Bouquets of blossoms to the cast and production team of Monroe Theater Guild's "Noises Off"... The director, Chris Weis, did a phenomenal job of casting and choreographing a play that brought an overwhelming response from those in attendance. The new MTG theater came alive Friday evening as the curtain opened on this wonderful production. In addition, the atmosphere created by this new facility leaves one speechless. Walking through the front door transports one to another time and another place ... it's hard to find the words to describe it. A great deal of passion and hard work has gone into creating this beautiful facility and a great deal of passion and hard work went into this production of "Noises Off." Kudos to everyone who had a part in making this show the success it was on opening night and the success it will be over the next several weeks. Move over "America's Got Talent" for Monroe's talent is second to none. - Jo Hawthorn
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I am so impressed by the excellent job the Monroe Main Street Committee has been doing. "Zoo on the Square" is a huge success. Every time I'm downtown, admirers are taking pictures of the animal art, by the artist "Zolie." Utilizing this wonderful local artist in this fashion is terrific. There is a lively and enthusiastic vitality on the square, thanks to the hard-working Kareesa Wilson, Tracy Hamilton and Tom Miller. Well done. - Phyllis Studer
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A blossom to the lawmakers of Wisconsin for passing the personal protection act. All eight female democratic senators voted for this bill, because the law abiding citizens of their districts need a chance to protect themselves. In addition to allowing handguns this law also legalizes tasers, stun guns and pepper spray. In larger cities, safety is an issue and this bill will allow women like myself to feel safer when traveling alone. Please do not boycott businesses for allowing responsible citizens to follow this new law. As Wisconsin follows the other 48 states that have carry laws it is unfair to assume that it will cause significantly more crime or put the population at large in danger. - Anonymous
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A big "thank you" blossom to Cody from Shopko who went the extra mile to retrieve my car keys from my car's locked trunk. Also, "thank you" to the nice couple in the blue Ford pickup who also offered assistance. - Lois
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I'd like to send out a big blossom to Monroe Main Street and the local businesses that are sponsoring the great things happening on the Square. The zoo art on the square is wonderful, but even more wonderful is seeing the visitors, adults and children alike, enjoying the art and spending time on our community square. Since the animals have gone up there are constantly people of all ages taking pictures of the artwork and their families with the art. On Sunday afternoon, there were many more people that I usually see, all looking at the animals. As I haul my kids and their friends to various activities, they all ask me to drive around the square to look at the animals. As my mom and I were out walking Sunday there were two boys about 13 years old, who were visiting from out of town. They stopped us to ask us about the animals and to tell us how great they thought the animals were. The concerts on the square are also great and it was wonderful to see the huge crowd on Thursday night. I hope that the people of this community will continue to support these activities as well as the farmer's market, local businesses and fundraising efforts of local organizations affiliated with this artwork and various Monroe Square activities. - Terry Faith
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Blossoms for the revitalized downtown area and the big animals on the square. It looks great and my grandson wanted his picture taken with every one of the animals on the square. Great idea. - Anonymous
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A Blossom to Monroe Main Street Zoo on the Square Chairmen and Committee. Thank you for all your hard work and time you put in to make this a success for Monroe's Square. It is great to see people of all ages enjoying the animals every time we are on the square. The crowd on the square Saturday was amazing. - Anonymous
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A Barb to all the complaining people. Make sure you attend the next planning meeting with all your ideas to make sure that next year it is just the way you want it and there are none of your perceived glitches. It is always good to have new volunteers. Looking forward to next year. - Jungle Lover
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A big, colorful blossom for whoever thought of the animals on the Square. On Friday, I had the opportunity to eat lunch and dinner on the Square. When I last lived in Monroe 35 years ago, if you drove around the Square three times consistently you were considered a "dirt ball." Imagine my horror as I rounded the Square a second time only to find all the outside parking places on all four sides of the Square occupied. I had to cut into the inside parking places in order to find a place to park. What was going on?
At lunch, all the outdoor tables at Baumgartner's were full, so a quick hot dog at Tanner's pushcart was a new experience. At dinner, the hostess at Poncho and Lefty's suggested a walk around the Square, while we waited for a table. While sitting on a bench, I finally realized what was going on. It was the animals. Who can resist a panda? Families and tourists leisurely strolling around the Square taking pictures of the colorful wooden animals and Courthouse have brought life back to Monroe's downtown. I haven't seen that many people on the Square on a non-Cheese Days Friday night in decades. Congratulations Main Street merchants for all the recent improvements. Job well done. - Teri Hartwig
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A barb to the school board of Monroe for giving pay raises to the administrative team. With all of the education cuts you have to consider you think raises are in order for a group that already make well over $100,000 each. I guess the school board has decided what they value in this district and it is not the people who are in front of our kids each day. Taking care of the top once again. Shame on this board for making this decision. - Anonymous
•••
I am so impressed by the excellent job the Monroe Main Street Committee has been doing. "Zoo on the Square" is a huge success. Every time I'm downtown, admirers are taking pictures of the animal art, by the artist "Zolie." Utilizing this wonderful local artist in this fashion is terrific. There is a lively and enthusiastic vitality on the square, thanks to the hard-working Kareesa Wilson, Tracy Hamilton and Tom Miller. Well done. - Phyllis Studer
•••
A blossom to the lawmakers of Wisconsin for passing the personal protection act. All eight female democratic senators voted for this bill, because the law abiding citizens of their districts need a chance to protect themselves. In addition to allowing handguns this law also legalizes tasers, stun guns and pepper spray. In larger cities, safety is an issue and this bill will allow women like myself to feel safer when traveling alone. Please do not boycott businesses for allowing responsible citizens to follow this new law. As Wisconsin follows the other 48 states that have carry laws it is unfair to assume that it will cause significantly more crime or put the population at large in danger. - Anonymous
•••
A big "thank you" blossom to Cody from Shopko who went the extra mile to retrieve my car keys from my car's locked trunk. Also, "thank you" to the nice couple in the blue Ford pickup who also offered assistance. - Lois
•••
I'd like to send out a big blossom to Monroe Main Street and the local businesses that are sponsoring the great things happening on the Square. The zoo art on the square is wonderful, but even more wonderful is seeing the visitors, adults and children alike, enjoying the art and spending time on our community square. Since the animals have gone up there are constantly people of all ages taking pictures of the artwork and their families with the art. On Sunday afternoon, there were many more people that I usually see, all looking at the animals. As I haul my kids and their friends to various activities, they all ask me to drive around the square to look at the animals. As my mom and I were out walking Sunday there were two boys about 13 years old, who were visiting from out of town. They stopped us to ask us about the animals and to tell us how great they thought the animals were. The concerts on the square are also great and it was wonderful to see the huge crowd on Thursday night. I hope that the people of this community will continue to support these activities as well as the farmer's market, local businesses and fundraising efforts of local organizations affiliated with this artwork and various Monroe Square activities. - Terry Faith
•••
Blossoms for the revitalized downtown area and the big animals on the square. It looks great and my grandson wanted his picture taken with every one of the animals on the square. Great idea. - Anonymous
•••
A Blossom to Monroe Main Street Zoo on the Square Chairmen and Committee. Thank you for all your hard work and time you put in to make this a success for Monroe's Square. It is great to see people of all ages enjoying the animals every time we are on the square. The crowd on the square Saturday was amazing. - Anonymous
•••
A Barb to all the complaining people. Make sure you attend the next planning meeting with all your ideas to make sure that next year it is just the way you want it and there are none of your perceived glitches. It is always good to have new volunteers. Looking forward to next year. - Jungle Lover
•••
A big, colorful blossom for whoever thought of the animals on the Square. On Friday, I had the opportunity to eat lunch and dinner on the Square. When I last lived in Monroe 35 years ago, if you drove around the Square three times consistently you were considered a "dirt ball." Imagine my horror as I rounded the Square a second time only to find all the outside parking places on all four sides of the Square occupied. I had to cut into the inside parking places in order to find a place to park. What was going on?
At lunch, all the outdoor tables at Baumgartner's were full, so a quick hot dog at Tanner's pushcart was a new experience. At dinner, the hostess at Poncho and Lefty's suggested a walk around the Square, while we waited for a table. While sitting on a bench, I finally realized what was going on. It was the animals. Who can resist a panda? Families and tourists leisurely strolling around the Square taking pictures of the colorful wooden animals and Courthouse have brought life back to Monroe's downtown. I haven't seen that many people on the Square on a non-Cheese Days Friday night in decades. Congratulations Main Street merchants for all the recent improvements. Job well done. - Teri Hartwig
•••
A barb to the school board of Monroe for giving pay raises to the administrative team. With all of the education cuts you have to consider you think raises are in order for a group that already make well over $100,000 each. I guess the school board has decided what they value in this district and it is not the people who are in front of our kids each day. Taking care of the top once again. Shame on this board for making this decision. - Anonymous
