Every once in a while, someone will jog up the many stairs that lead from street parking to my office on the second floor in the Historic Green County Courthouse in downtown Monroe. Before they can even catch their breath, I know that I will be delivering some unwelcome news: you’re in the wrong building, you’re supposed to be across town at the Justice Center, and if you were already running fashionably behind — now you’re going to be flat out late. Guilty!
First reaction is panic.
Panic is followed by disbelief. “Are you sure court isn’t held here?”
Once, there was a plea for leniency. “Could you call and tell them I’m on my way?”
Then there’s the hasty retreat back down the stairs. I wonder if anyone has been pulled over for speeding on their way to court.
I moved into this office in the Historic Courthouse after the court system moved out and relocated to the Justice Center. It was the judge’s upstairs chambers. My office has a great view of the downtown Square and a private bathroom. Back in the day, the judge demanded that the bathroom be added — I suppose he wanted to check his hair after donning the black robe. I say “back in the day” because I’m not sure what year it was, but circa 1970 is a good guess. The tile and sink are Harvest Gold, which was one of the signature colors of the decade (a bonus to you if you can name the other popular color at that time).
Other than the occasional jogger, the Historic Green County Courthouse was pretty quiet in 2020. Visitors were few and far between.
As the calendar flipped to May and mandates were lifted, it has been refreshing to have actual tourists in to explore the building, pick up visitor information, and stop in my office with questions or simply to say hello.
A recent highlight was two guys from Plymouth, Wisconsin — which they (jokingly?) proclaimed to be the Cheese Capital of the state. “I beg to differ,” I said, as they helped themselves to chocolates from my cheesy looking yellow fondue pot that doubles as a candy dish.
Later that same day, I met a man named Otto who founded Pulaski Polka Days. It’s a big deal in the polka world, and sounds a bit like Cheese Days — there’s a parade and souvenir stand, and I’m guessing there’s beer. I should probably head up there in July for a fact-finding mission. Otto and I talked bands and accordions and festivals. It’s on my calendar to reach out next year because he said he’ll do a shout-out inviting people to Cheese Days on his polka-flavored internet radio show called 247polkaheaven.com.
A few weeks ago a couple from Tennessee had pulled their big fancy RV onto the Square and came in looking for suggestions on a good lunch spot. A family from Illinois took turns wearing the judge’s robe and posing for pictures in the former Courtroom. A woman from Appleton stopped to chat about ideas for tours that could be scheduled during a family reunion coming up in October.
People are on the move, and things are happening. There’s a new Family Festival being planned in Brodhead. New Glarus is working on plans for their 175+1 year anniversary celebration. Main Street Monroe’s summer theme “Mainopoly” is coming to life, and Concerts on the Square will be starting in July. There’s live music happening all around the county, just about every weekend this summer.
2021 is shaping up to be a good year. My calendar is filling up and I hope yours is too.
By the way, the answer to the bonus question is Avocado Green.
— Noreen Rueckert is director for Green County Tourism and Green County Cheese Days, and helps out with Main Street Monroe’s Concerts on the Square. Her favorite cheese is rumored to be Feta. She has the best office in the county — overlooking Monroe’s Square from the tower of the Historic Green County Courthouse. She dabbles in photography and graphic design, adores cats and iced coffee, and secretly loves the Cheese Days Song.
