As we approach Cheese Days weekend, we are about to experience several qualities exclusive to our community. Our heritage in production agriculture and cheese making, great beer, and live music all are features of Green County that truly are unique - and should be cherished.
And, speaking of live music and great beer, it is worth taking a look at Berghoff & Blues. One of the most unique aspects of this event can be seen at the heading of the publicity posters: "The Monroe Lions Club Presents." To make Berghoff & Blues possible, local businesses help with sponsorships, equipment, etc., while the Monroe Lions Club organizes and administers the event. Is there any other nonprofit organization that oversees an event like this in scope?
The idea for a local music festival in Green County was born in 1976. A teacher named Mort Armstrong was part of a band called the Horsefeathers, and it was his idea that led to a yearly celebration of music. For two years, Mort's music festival was held at the fairgrounds in Monroe, until politics and resistance to the event proved to be too much. It was moved to Albany - to a cornfield, with the idea that the event should continue, not for profit, but to give back to the community. The event was held for several years in the cornfield, much to the notice of Mort's son, Jesse Armstrong. Jesse concluded there must be a way to get the festival back to Monroe.
Into the picture came Dick Tschanz, of the Monroe Lions Club. During the 1990s, Dick and Jesse put their heads together for a common goal - getting the music back into Monroe. The two put together a proposal, approached the president of Huber Brewery, and after carefully delivering their case, were flat out rejected. From 1995 to 1997, the answer was the same: No way, no how, end of discussion.
In 1998, Tschanz ran into the new Huber president while golfing in New Glarus. Deciding it was now or never, they pitched the idea of a Monroe-based music fest, appropriately, in a bar. Dick and Jesse finally had the answer they needed: Done, sold - pick your venue. Thus, Berghoff & Blues, as we know it today, was born. The agreement was for the Lions Club to provide the labor and would organize the event, while the brewery provided crucial financial support.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Berghoff & Blues. Aside from putting great music back into Monroe, the event is a fantastic means to promote Green County. People make an effort to travel to our community. Additionally, there is the financial gain from hosting the event. Berghoff & Blues was founded on the principle of "giving something back" to the community. Up until this year, the Lions Club has been able to raise more than $100,000 - all channeled back into Green County.
Unfortunately, the future of Berghoff & Blues remains uncertain. The costs needed just to put on the event approached $90,000 last year. For a nonprofit organization like the Monroe Lions Club, this is a colossal risk, since most of the outsourced labor and equipment is contracted. An outdoor music festival in Wisconsin in September is especially susceptible to inclement weather, which would unconditionally kill the event.
My friends, as you stroll through the Square and enjoy the festivities this Cheese Days weekend, consider what is indigenous to this community, and what is important. For certain, a celebration of production agriculture, cheese making, beer and great live music hits the nail on the head.
The bottom line here, folks, is that the Lions Club must make a decision. Organizing and funding an event like this has turned into a full-time, yearlong commitment. As a nonprofit organization, and as costs continue to escalate to exorbitant levels, can the Lions Club continue to risk such a huge amount of money and time to organize Berghoff & Blues? If not, and if no other entity is willing to support this exhibition of talent, then the future of Berghoff & Blues looks very bleak, indeed.
- Dan Wegmueller is a columnist for The Monroe Times. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
And, speaking of live music and great beer, it is worth taking a look at Berghoff & Blues. One of the most unique aspects of this event can be seen at the heading of the publicity posters: "The Monroe Lions Club Presents." To make Berghoff & Blues possible, local businesses help with sponsorships, equipment, etc., while the Monroe Lions Club organizes and administers the event. Is there any other nonprofit organization that oversees an event like this in scope?
The idea for a local music festival in Green County was born in 1976. A teacher named Mort Armstrong was part of a band called the Horsefeathers, and it was his idea that led to a yearly celebration of music. For two years, Mort's music festival was held at the fairgrounds in Monroe, until politics and resistance to the event proved to be too much. It was moved to Albany - to a cornfield, with the idea that the event should continue, not for profit, but to give back to the community. The event was held for several years in the cornfield, much to the notice of Mort's son, Jesse Armstrong. Jesse concluded there must be a way to get the festival back to Monroe.
Into the picture came Dick Tschanz, of the Monroe Lions Club. During the 1990s, Dick and Jesse put their heads together for a common goal - getting the music back into Monroe. The two put together a proposal, approached the president of Huber Brewery, and after carefully delivering their case, were flat out rejected. From 1995 to 1997, the answer was the same: No way, no how, end of discussion.
In 1998, Tschanz ran into the new Huber president while golfing in New Glarus. Deciding it was now or never, they pitched the idea of a Monroe-based music fest, appropriately, in a bar. Dick and Jesse finally had the answer they needed: Done, sold - pick your venue. Thus, Berghoff & Blues, as we know it today, was born. The agreement was for the Lions Club to provide the labor and would organize the event, while the brewery provided crucial financial support.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Berghoff & Blues. Aside from putting great music back into Monroe, the event is a fantastic means to promote Green County. People make an effort to travel to our community. Additionally, there is the financial gain from hosting the event. Berghoff & Blues was founded on the principle of "giving something back" to the community. Up until this year, the Lions Club has been able to raise more than $100,000 - all channeled back into Green County.
Unfortunately, the future of Berghoff & Blues remains uncertain. The costs needed just to put on the event approached $90,000 last year. For a nonprofit organization like the Monroe Lions Club, this is a colossal risk, since most of the outsourced labor and equipment is contracted. An outdoor music festival in Wisconsin in September is especially susceptible to inclement weather, which would unconditionally kill the event.
My friends, as you stroll through the Square and enjoy the festivities this Cheese Days weekend, consider what is indigenous to this community, and what is important. For certain, a celebration of production agriculture, cheese making, beer and great live music hits the nail on the head.
The bottom line here, folks, is that the Lions Club must make a decision. Organizing and funding an event like this has turned into a full-time, yearlong commitment. As a nonprofit organization, and as costs continue to escalate to exorbitant levels, can the Lions Club continue to risk such a huge amount of money and time to organize Berghoff & Blues? If not, and if no other entity is willing to support this exhibition of talent, then the future of Berghoff & Blues looks very bleak, indeed.
- Dan Wegmueller is a columnist for The Monroe Times. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
