First Congressional Candidate Interview: Randy Bryce, Perrot State Park Turns 100, Governor Candidate: Matt Flynn

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• First Congressional District Candidate Interview: Randy Bryce

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  In our series of interviews with candidates for the First Congressional seat, we speak with Union Ironworker Randy Bryce. He is running as a Democrat in the August 14 primary.

• Perrot State Park Celebrates 100 Years With Coloring Books, History, And, Of Course, Cake

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  A sacred site to Native Americans and a navigation tool for river surveyors, the solid rock-island of Trempealeau Mountain in western Wisconsin is a must-see for visitors of Perrot State Park, said park superintendent Lois Larson.

  The storied history of the mountain and the park that surrounds it can be explored this weekend by visitors as they help celebrate Perrot’s 100-year history as a state park, Larson said.

  Perrot State Park is hosting its centennial celebration Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. with a presentation, cake and refreshments. Local raptor rehabilitator Abbey Krumrie will host raptor programs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Programs focusing on the history, nature and recreation of the park will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  Other events include Color with Colleen, where visitors will have a chance to meet with the artist who created a Perrot State Park-inspired coloring book, create a centennial T-shirt, learn about flintknapping and creating arrowhead and spearpoint heads, and learn about native cultures that lived in the area 13,000 years ago.

  
  Children hike down East Brady’s Bluff Trail in 1958 at Perrot State Park. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society

  Visitors also have a chance to write or record their own memories of the park at the Friends of Perrot booth. Submissions wil be used to create a centennial notebook.

  Established in 1918, Perrot State Park is the fifth-oldest in Wisconsin, following Interstate, Peninsula, Devil’s Lake and Wyalusing state parks.

  The park is a big hit for camping and hiking during the summer, and extends the fall season into November when its hickory and oak tree leaves change colors, Larson said.

  Trails are ready for those wanting to ski and snowshoe in the winter, which thaws into bird migration season as trumpeter swans, warblers and other migrators follow the Mississippi Flyway north.

  The park was established after Winona-based businessman John Latsch donated 880 acres to the state, asking that the park be named for French fur trader Nicholas Perrot, who set up trading with local tribes in the area in the 1600s.

  “(Latsch) wanted to preserve this land in the area for everyone to use and recreate on,” Larson said.

  In its 100-year history, the park has grown to encompass 1,270 acres, and it features 15 miles of hiking trails, some of which were built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp that were in the park from 1935 to 1937.

  Bikes can access the Great River State Trail from the campground, which features 104 campsites.

• Perrot State Park Celebrates 100 Years

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  One of Wisconsin’s oldest state parks is about to celebrate a big milestone. A centennial celebration is planned this weekend for Perrot State Park in Trempealeau, but the site has been important to many groups for much longer than 100 years. Perrot’s superintendent joins the show to talk about the park’s history, and what makes the place special for so many Wisconsinites.

• Governor Candidate Interview: Matt Flynn

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  In our series of interviews with candidates for Governor of Wisconsin, we speak with attorney Matt Flynn. He is running as a Democrat in the August 14 primary.