Tourism is back! As in most states, tourism spells big bucks in Wisconsin. The total economic impact in 2021 was $20.9 billion. The importance of tourism is bore out by these facts: 1 in 21 jobs is sustained by tourism; 169,000 full-time and parttime jobs are related to tourism; state and local taxes attributed to tourism amount to $1.4 billion; and Federal taxes related to tourism amount to $1.2 billion. If it wasn’t for tourism, each Wisconsin household would need to pay $580 in order to maintain the current level of government services now generated by tourism spending. So tourism is indeed an important industry in Wisconsin. *** The numbers stated above are large and probably don’t mean as much when one thinks statewide. However, on the local level the county numbers have more meaning. Tourism’ importance in Clark County is measured by 2021 direct visitor spending of $33.8 million and in Chippewa County direct visitor spending was $103.8 million. Total state and local taxes from this speeding amounted to $3 million in 2021 in Clark County and $10.1 million in Chippewa County. Taking it one step closer, in total spending, not just tourism dollars, in 2021 the half percent sales tax in Clark County produced $2,684,690.52 in revenue.. *** We spent last Monday and Tuesday doing some tourism things in Door County and Appleton. Being the last two weeks before school starts in many places, Door County was full of visitors. It took an hour and 15 minutes before we could get a table for lunch at Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay. Parking was at a premium wherever one stopped and you had to make many stops to allow street strollers to cross in the many crosswalks in every one of the small towns between Sturgeon Bay and Sister Bay. One never has enough time to do all one would like to. The weather was gorgeous and undoubtedly accounted for so many people in all these unique little communities. I asked our waiter at the restaurant if there is any time during the day that one doesn’t need a reservation and he said ya, “Be here at 6:30 am and you can get in when we open at 7 am. The unique little shops we have grown to know over the years provided us with several Christmas gift purchases. Monday evening and Tuesday were spent with the kids in Appleton. Mother and daughter had some quality time together — shopping! *** As reported previously in this column, the 2022 Farm Technology Days, held in Clark County was rated a grand success. For those who didn’t attend, I want to mention that the Stanley Area Historical Society, the Colby Area Historical Society and the Branstitter Museum in Greenwood each had exhibits that were available for viewing in one of the two Clark County Economic Development and Tourism tents. Working one day afforded Pat and I an opportunity to converse with a good number of people as they stopped by to view the items we had on display. I also want to thank and compliment the staff at Clark County Economic Development and Tourism who put their heart and soul into making a great showing for all Clark County communities with beautiful banners and city cards showcasing what each community has to offer in terms of key businesses, events and unique opportunities for visitations/viewing. *** I know a lot of people were greatly disappointed that the Clark County Board, in May, voted down the bringing of high speed Internet to Clark County. While the county would not have had any out of pocket expense connected with the proposal, they would have had to guarantee bonds for Bug Tussel for 30 years. Bug Tussel was the company that was going to put in the needed fiber optic cable and towers to provide high speed Internet to 4,304 residents and 227 businesses who would get fiber. A big part of the disappointment was related to knowing that neighboring Jackson, Taylor and Wood counties all had similar proposals and approved them. One of the pieces of literature I saw on the subject indicated these percentages of students were from homes without Internet access – Abbotsford 12%, Colby 12.4%, Granton 8.5%, Greenwood 6.1%, Loyal 9.4%, Owen-Withee 15.6% and Thorp 5.6%. That made it tough for kids in households without Internet access when schools taught virtual during the pandemic. *** It’s again time for the Yellowstone Art Tour that will take place on Friday and Saturday September 9 and 10, from 9 am to 5 pm both days. The tour covers an area from eastern Lake Wissota to Cadott and Boyd areas. New to the Art Tour this year are familiar Boyd artists Richard and Jean Cance. They will be showing their work from their home at 32537 115th Avenue, rural Boyd. What will the Cance’s be showing and selling from their Boyd studio – Richard will have items made from amethyst and jasper and Jean paints flat stones with designs of mosaics and mandalas. The Cance’s also both quilt and have their own style choices. Sounds interesting, especially if your looking towards Christmas and purchasing something different for those on your list. *** If you have ever visited the Highground Veterans Memorial Park, located just west of Neillsville, and seriously investigated their mission you know the 155-acre campus has a mission to be a place to Educate and Heal Veterans. Some time back the Highground established Camp Victory to focus on helping Veterans’ health, both mental and physical, as well as their families through outdoor therapy. Camp Victory also works with Veterans and their families to connect with resources that might benefit them. Camp Victory has now been flung off by the Highground and has become its own 501 (c)(3). So in a nut-shell Camp Victory is a Veteran run nonprofit focusing on health, hope and healing through the outdoors for Veterans and their families. *** Smile time. It always irked my single mother that her grocery store didn’t carry eggs in packages of six – just by the dozen. Then one day, her wish came true. She walked into the grocery store and found fresh eggs in cartons of six. “I was so excited she told us later, “that I bought two!” +++ In college I could pull all-nighters, but now I can’ barely pull all-dayers. +++ Little Johnny asked his teacher, “Mrs. Roberts can I be punished for something I didn’t do?” Mrs. Roberts is shocked, “Of course not, Johnny, that would be unfair.” Little Johnny is relieved, “Okay, Mrs. Roberts, good to know. By the way, I didn’t do my homework last night.” +++ While working at a pizza parlor, I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for sometime and then said, “Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don’t think I’m hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.” +++ Whenever my wife uses the phrase, “I was thinking..” That means I either have to move, build, paint, or buy something.