DECATUR — It was a perfect day for a round of disc golf Jan. 31, so Coach Dayton Shaw pulled three new portable disc golf goals out of storage and set them up around the football/soccer field at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur.
Shaw, who is the head boys’ basketball coach and physical education teacher, had taught his fifth-, sixth- and middle-school classes the art of launching and catching a flying disc since the start of the school year.
Shaw, an avid disc golf player, wanted to get his students away from tablets, cellphones and other distractions and get them more physically active as part of the school’s physical fitness program.
The students first learned to throw on the original 12.25-inch Wham-O Frisbee disc which weighed in at between 8 and 10 ounces. Once the students mastered the larger disc, it was on to the small and lighter ultimate disc which is 10 inches and weighs in at 6.2 ounces. Shaw’s students would soon take to throwing these discs whenever they got a chance, either in the gyms when the weather was bad or outdoors when the weather was sunny.
Sometime around the late 1870s, in the town of Warren, Conn., a baker by the name of William Frisbie (original spelling) sold homemade pies in and around Connecticut. Frisbie packed his delights in a light tin baking pan with the name of his company, “Frisbie Pie Company” stamped on the bottom of it. Soon his pies became popular treats with the students at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. One problem with the tins was what to do with them once the pies were gone.
In the 1940s, some of the Yale students found an ingenious use for the leftover pie tins. They turned the pans upside down and began throwing and catching them all the while shouting “Frisbie” as the pans sailed through the air — thus the birth of the popular flying disc.
Today there is a growing movement around the country involving the discs and a metal-chain-clad goal.
There are three basic discs used in the sport. There is a driver disc used for long-distance shots, a mid-range disc used for mid-to-short-range shots, and a putter disc used for shots into the goal.
There are two basic types of disc golf courses, a nine-hole and an 18-hole. Decatur’s Veterans Park includes a nine-hole course that boasts one of the longest holes in the country, and the Old Town Park in Gravette is one of the most challenging in the area. Gentry also has a disc course.
In mid-January, the Decatur School District purchased a complete nine-hole Frisbee golf course complete with goals, several complete disc sets and bags. Current plans are to design and build a nine-hole course around the middle and high school and behind Bulldog Stadium. A completion date has not been set.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Ruby Frye (center) launches her driver disc at a temporary Frisbee Golf goal about 40 yards away during the Decatur Middle School physical education class’s Frisbee Golf afternoon at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Jan. 31. Once spring makes is appearance in six weeks, a permanent nine hole Frisbee Golf Course will be erected at the school
Serenity Madison won her division at the PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships last week in Orlando, Florida. Madison won the Women’s Masters 40-plus title by a 11 strokes. Courtesy of Conrad Meyer/Conrad Meyer Photography
After eight challenging rounds, played out across five days in Florida, Serenity Madison was exhausted. She was also a world champion.
Madison dominated her division at the PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships last week in Orlando, claiming the Women’s Masters 40-plus title by a whopping 11 strokes.
“It was strenuous and arduous,” Madison said. “It was all about endurance. I’ve never played that much disc golf.”
In the opening round, Madison played well, but sat in second place by one stroke. By the end of the second round, the Newcastle resident held a seven stroke lead. Madison maintained a substantial lead across the next three rounds, but struggled at the conclusion of the sixth round, which allowed the next closest competitor, Meg Sapp, to close to within three strokes heading into the semifinals.
After that round, Madison called her husband for some encouraging words, ate some pizza and took some time in the spa.
“I re-centered myself and ended up crushing the semifinals and the finals,” she said.
Serenity Madison, left, celebrates winning the Women’s Masters 40-plus division at PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships last week in Orlando, Florida. Submitted to The Union
Madison was six strokes better than Sapp in the semifinals and two strokes better in the finals to earn the 11-stroke victory and title of world champ.
“It took a lot of mental energy to keep myself centered and focused on that next shot, and meditation really helped with that,” she said. “I’m definitely a stronger, better person for persevering through that and rising above.”
Madison finished with a 19-above par 437. The next closest competitor was Sapp at 30-over par.
‘IT’S TIME’
Madison first started playing the sport in 1995 when she was 15 years old. By 2003 she was competing at a high level, and in 2005 won her division at the California State Championships.
Madison was then hampered by a shoulder injury, which forced her to take a break from competitive disc golf. It wasn’t until July 2020, the now wife and mother, truly delved back into the sport, doing so as a way to deal with the stresses brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was just looking to get out of the house,” she said. “We were all in quarantine, and I needed some space, some fresh air and some exercise.
“I didn’t think I would ever be able to play again, let alone play competitively, so I was just trying to get out of the house and have some fun, get some exercise and help my mental health.”
It wasn’t long after that she realized she still had the skills to compete at an elite level.
“This time around, once I started understanding that I could set some real cool goals for myself, I set my sights on the world championships,” she said.
In addition to her recent victory at the amateur world championships, Madison also won the Amateur Women’s Masters 40-plus division at the 2021 United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships in May.
With all her recent success, Madison is an amateur no more.
“I turned 40 and decided to become a competitive, sponsored athlete,” Madison said with a laugh. “It’ll really hit me when I play my first tournament as a pro, but I’m ready. It’s time. It’s been time.”
Madison expressed gratitude for her family, supporters and sponsors: Throw Pink Disc Golf, Legit Apparel, FlighTowel, and Penn Valley based Sublime Disc Dye’s.
“We’re just ecstatic for her,” said Mike Cassaro, who owns Sublime Disc Dyes along with his wife Lanay Cassaro. “We wanted Serenity on our team because of her passion for the sport, integrity and what she wants to do for the community. That’s where we really connected. We are all for getting more women and kids into disc golf, and growing the sport for everybody. … She is always happy and positive, and we are, too, and that’s why we connected and wanted to work with her.”
Madison’s positivity garnered the nickname of “SoulShine” which she has now turned into her own apparel brand that can be purchased through her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
“Things are moving so fast for me, but I’m so grateful for my disc golf journey and where it has taken me, and where it is taking me,” Madison said. “I’m so grateful that I get to show my family, and inspire people around me, that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”
Just wanted to say thank you all for enduring a day without the news. My daughter’s first birthday was earlier this month, but because my son was sick we didn’t get to celebrate. I took Saturday to give her a wonderful day, and appreciate your understanding of my absence.
First, today’s weather:
Mild with clouds and sun. High: 68 Low: 55.
Here are the top stories in Durham today:
Two people were killed and two more were injured in an apartment complex break in on early Saturday. The incident happened at the Cadence at RTP around 1:30am. The two surviving victims were taken to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries. The complex is about two miles from NCCU, but no students were involved in the incident. (WRAL)
Durham police are investigating a daytime shooting that sent one man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred just before 12:30pm on Sunday near E. Main Street and Angier Avenue. (CBS17)
The puppy who was taken from the Animal Protection Society of Durham was returned on Friday night. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office released photos of the puppy and suspects, and the puppy thief surrendered to authorities. The dog is now safe with her remaining littermates at the shelter, and up for adoption. (CBS17)
Judges are in the process of selecting new redistricting maps after the North Carolina General Assembly submitted their maps on Friday. The judges will work with three experts that were appointed to review the enacted districts to adopt or approve plans that comply with the state constitution. They have until midday Wednesday to select maps. (Spectrum News 1)
Cupid’s Undie Run saw dozens of pantsless runners out to raise money for Children’s Tumor Foundation and neurofibromatosis (NF). None of the runners sported “risque” options though many incorporated Valentine’s Day themes. (abc11)
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Wallace “Ron” Ronald had the vision long before he had the location.
Ronald, who has served as founder or general partner in a number of Hartford-area restaurants, pictured a laid-back, relaxing space that combined the offerings of a brewery with access to meals from popular food trucks, keeping the “menu” fresh and labor costs down.
He eyed locations across Connecticut, including one near the Connecticut River, but ultimately settled on a place closer to home: the former Tower Ridge Country Club in Simsbury, near where he grew up decades ago.
The old clubhouse has been extensively renovated and turned into the Talcott Mountain Collective, which aside from beer offers a deliberately limited menu of pretzels, chili and pizza — to not compete directly with the food trucks — and entertainment such as board games, cornhole sets and outdoor fire pits.
“It’s still a magnificent piece of property,” Ronald said, referring to the site’s panoramic view of Talcott Mountain and the Heublein Tower. “But it was never a proper golf course. Some people enjoyed the challenge of it, but to me it was always a goat pasture.”
Today, some of the former fairways and greens have been repurposed as a disc golf course by a separate business entity, Tower Ridge Disc Golf, headed by David Tolk.
Tolk, who co-designed the 18-hole course, said disc golf is an ideal use for the land, as it takes advantage of the old course layout without the significant expense typically sunk into constant mowing and chemical treatments.
“We’re keeping the recreational spirit of it without all the maintenance costs,” he said. “It’s more environmentally friendly. That is a huge benefit of converting the space.”
While still a fairly unique case, the former Tower Ridge site is one of at least four golf courses in Connecticut to come under new management over the last year.
And while real estate and golf industry experts don’t necessarily see a broader trend unfolding, they acknowledge that mounting costs and declining profitability could in some instances prompt existing golf course owners to offload or lease out their properties, which are typically large and hard work to maintain.
“Some of these golf courses are not as strong as they used to be,” said Tom York, principal of transactional and advisory services at real estate consulting firm Goman+York. “We’re not seeing a trend, but maybe it stands to reason that some property owners are seeing new opportunities now.”
Connecticut has seen little growth in its economy or population over the years, York noted, meaning that golf courses that thrived in better times may not have the financial resources to continue under their existing business model.
“You own a piece of land. It’s either profitable or it’s not, or it’s marginally profitable,” he said. “When you take a look at it — is there something else that makes sense? Is there a higher and better use for that land? Each site will be a little different, but that’s the question each of them needs to ask.”
Aside from Tower Ridge, which is being leased by its new operators, 2021 was a relatively busy time for golf-related real estate deals.
In May, Quarry Ridge Golf Course in Portland was sold for $1.7 million to Nexus Golf Properties.
Around the same time, voters in Southington approved the town’s $4.5 million purchase of development rights to the privately-owned Southington Golf Course, a move expected to prevent the construction of a 114-lot subdivision on the property.
The transfer means that while the land will continue to be owned by the Calvanese and Kastner families, they would give up the right to build on it or use it for anything other than a golf course or recreational green space. The same would apply to any future owners.
And in December, Tallwood Country Club in Hebron was sold by the local McDermott family to Dana Barnes, manager of Concord Golf Properties, for $1.5 million.
Mixed outlook
The idea of financial hardships plaguing golf courses would appear to fly in the face of reports from industry groups trumpeting a major resurgence in the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For much of 2020, golfing venues, which naturally lend themselves to socially-distanced play, were one of the few recreational businesses still up and running. Courses reported a huge increase in players returning to the sport, and beginners just taking it up.
Some courses saw record-setting revenues as a result of the local golf revival, said Tom Hantke, executive director and CEO of the Connecticut Section of the PGA.
But those gains were not evenly distributed across all operators, Hantke pointed out. Municipal golf courses, as well as some private clubs, did well, but some private, member-owned clubs are continuing to struggle with economic factors that first came to a head during the Great Recession.
“The challenges for the private member clubs are capital challenges — bunker upgrades, irrigation systems, aging maintenance equipment,” Hantke said. “Historically the way they paid for that was a loan from the bank, and assessing higher prices on members, but if the membership is shrinking that’s difficult to support.”
According to the CT PGA, which oversees golf courses in Connecticut and western Massachusetts, its region has lost 17 golf courses since the early 2000s, and many of those fit the profile of member-owned clubs that couldn’t support themselves, or family-owned clubs that had no family members willing to take over the reins.
“I think right now, there are some private owners who are looking to exit their family business,” Hantke said, referring specifically to Tallwood.
Hantke said the PGA is aware of the developments at the former Tower Ridge course in Simsbury, but he doesn’t see conversions as the way of the future.
“I don’t see a lot of that repurposing taking place,” he said. “That would be the exception, not the rule.”
In general, Hantke said he’s optimistic about golf in Connecticut, because of the pandemic-inspired surge in interest, and private clubs are investing more money into their operations, making clubhouses amenable to weddings and outdoor dining, and setting up ranges and learning centers to help newcomers pick up the sport.
Barnes, who also acquired Twin Hills Country Club in Coventry in 2018, also sees the positive. There’s no rush to unload golf courses, he said, only “case by case” opportunities that come up as owners, for their own reasons, decide to exit the industry.
Barnes said his group, Concord Golf Properties, is currently in “acquisition mode,” looking to add more sites in Connecticut, southwestern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
New opportunities
Ronald, of the Talcott Mountain Collective, said he wasn’t initially concerned with using the golf course at Tower Ridge, as he only planned to gut and remodel the clubhouse and use some of the surrounding outdoor space for games. But business associates made the case for a disc golf course, pointing to the sport’s growing popularity and the appeal of an added draw for the Collective.
Now, players can golf for a round or two and then retire to the clubhouse for drinks and food.
“I knew it was not going to be a big expense,” Ronald said. “The truth is, this disc golf helps fulfill my vision. It really rounded out the Collective.”
So far, the conversion has gone off smoothly.
The disc golf course is bringing in a steady stream of returning players, Tolk said, and business is expected to pick up in the spring, as temperatures rise and more people gravitate toward outdoor venues.
The plan is to expand the course, with glow-in-the-dark night disc golf, a summer camp for children and opportunities for corporate events and team-building exercises.
“We want to be the gold standard for a pay-to-play course,” Tolk said.
A collection of the top professional disc golfers are coming to Steel Club in Hellertown for the Disc Golf Pro Tour Match Play Championship this weekend.
The tournament will kick-off with practice rounds and a skins match on Thursday, with head-to-head competition beginning on Friday. The event’s match play structure will feature one-on-one matchups between the golfers, with the winner advancing through the single elimination bracket.
“Match play is an incredibly exciting format and it is one that has a rich history in one-on-one competition,” a press release for the event reads.
This weekend’s Match Play Championship will be played on a special, 12-hole layout designed in part by Steve Braud, Steel Club’s disc golf professional.
The men’s bracket features 16 golfers, while the women’s bracket features eight. This weekend’s event comes at the end of the 2021 Disc Golf Pro Tour, and invitations were sent out to the top ranked men and women golfers on this year’s tour.
The men’s bracket features notable golfers including Eagle McMahon, Ricky Wysocki and Calving Heimberg. James Conrad, who won the 2021 Pro Disc Golf World Championships thanks in part to a miraculous throw on the 18th hole, is ranked seventh.
The full bracket is available on the Disc Golf Pro Tour Instagram page.
A purse of a minimum of $20,000 will be distributed among the field of 24 golfers. This weekend’s event will also be broadcast live on the Disc Golf Network, the press release says.
The event is the first of its kind to be hosted at Steel Club’s 27-hole golf course facility. A special, 12-hole disc golf layout has been arranged for the Match Play Championship.
Discmania, a well-known disc golf brand, is sponsoring this weekend’s tournament.
“Discmania founder, Jessin Meresmaa, is known across the globe for running some of the biggest and best events in the world, such as the European Open and the Presidents Cup,” the press release reads. “The Steel Club is just the type of venue that can accommodate another prestigious, high-caliber Discmania event.”
“We are looking forward to hosting the DGPT Match Play Championship at Steel Club,” said Steel Club General Manager Grace Spirk. “The sport of disc golf is growing exponentially and we are excited to be a part of growth.”
Steel Club has its own 18-hole disc golf course. An annual membership to the course costs $360.
“We have done our best to create a gold level professional course, not only to challenge the best players in the world, but to also allow golfers on all levels a place to test their skills,” Steel Club’s website reads.
Tickets to this weekend’s event are available through Eventbrite. General admission tickets are $10 for Thursday’s practice round and $20 for the rounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A 4-day general admission pass is available for $50. VIP passes are also available.
Steel Club is also in need of volunteers for this weekend’s event. More information about volunteering can be found on their website.
Spectator and event information for the tournament can be found on the Disc Golf Pro Tour website.
Below is the tournament’s full schedule:
Thursday
10 a.m. – Gates open to spectators
12 p.m. – Skins match
Friday
9 a.m. – Gates open to spectators
10-11:30 a.m. – Men’s match 1 tee times
2-4 p.m. – Men’s match 2 tee times
Saturday
9 a.m. – Gates open to spectators
10-11:30 a.m. – Men’s match 3 tee times
2-3:30 p.m. – Men’s and women’s Elite 8
Sunday
9 a.m. – Gates open to spectators
10 & 11 a.m. – Men’s and women’s Final Four
2 p.m. – Men’s and women’s championship
Parking for the event will be located at 2101 Wassergass Road, Hellertown, PA 18055.
Pittsburg Ice Bowl Benefit Tournament set for Feb. 26
The Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department and Pittsburg Disc Golf Club are teaming up to host the Ice Bowl Benefit Tournament on Feb. 26 starting at 11 a.m. at the Schlanger Park Disc Golf Course.
Registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event and the entry fee for the tournament is five nonperishable food items or a $10 cash donation, with all proceeds being donated to the Wesley House in Pittsburg.
For additional information regarding the Ice Bowl Tournament, contact the Pittsburg Parks & Recreation Department at 620-231-8310.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the third site in Missouri to be included on the trail, which highlights individuals, events, and locations in 15 states and the District of Columbia that have been vital to the advancement of civil rights in the United States.
“The fight for racial equality in our country has taken on many forms, including marches, conflicts and court cases. The inclusion of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum adds yet another layer to the history that is preserved by the U.S. Civil Rights Trail,” said Stephen Foutes, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.
MDT nominated the museum for inclusion on the trail, which was created through a collaboration of participating states in 2018.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum opened in Kansas City in 1991. It tells the story of why the leagues were formed and how they ultimately contributed to social advancement in the United States. The Negro Leagues produced some of baseball’s greatest players including Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and James “Cool Papa” Bell.
The Negro National League — one of seven leagues nationwide — was established in Kansas City in 1920 and included the Kansas City Monarchs.
Robinson, a member of the Monarchs, was the first player to break baseball’s color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. Buck O’Neil, a 2022 inductee in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was the first Black coach in Major League Baseball and was instrumental in establishing the museum.
“We are deeply honored to be part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail,” said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. “The Negro Leagues played a tremendous role in the social advancement of America. Our inclusion to the trail will undoubtedly help more people understand that the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a Civil Rights and Social Justice institution that documents a powerful story of triumph over adversity as seen through the lens of baseball.”
Missouri’s other two sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail are the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, where the Dred Scott trial was heard, and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence. Truman is recognized for his executive order to desegregate the military — a decision that helped pave the way for desegregation throughout society.
Learn more about Missouri’s sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail and other civil rights history in the state at visitmo.com/in-the-spotlight/missouris- civil-rights-stories. For more information about the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, visit civilrightstrail.com.
WGU Missouri launches new scholarship
In celebration of WGU Missouri’s ninth anniversary, the nonprofit, fully accredited, online university has announced it is awarding $450,000 in scholarships to new students who are interested in furthering their education. Since its establishment in February 2013, WGU Missouri has been committed to providing high-quality, convenient and career-boosting college education to residents across the state, including working adults who have some college experience but no degree. The WGU Missouri ninth anniversary scholarships, valued at up to $9,000 each, underscore WGU’s mission of helping make higher education even more attainable for adults across Missouri, especially those looking to strengthen their skill sets as the ongoing pandemic continues to impact the local workforce.
While many universities have experienced a decline in enrollment since the onset of the pandemic, WGU Missouri’s enrollment continues to hold steady and actually managed to grow over the past 12 months. The university, which was created through a partnership with the national Western Governors University and Gov. Jay Nixon, currently has 3,340 enrolled students, an increase of 2.8% over last year, and has conferred degrees to 6,011 graduates, a fifth of whom graduated in the past 12 months. In fact, WGU Missouri has shown consistent growth since its establishment nearly a decade ago. Across the state, WGU Missouri employs 191 staff members, has awarded more than $3.4 million in scholarships and has built partnerships with more than 85 businesses, institutions and organizations in an effort to create new opportunities for their employees to pursue higher education at an even lower cost and advance their careers.
WGU Missouri has been credited with helping individuals earn their college degrees who otherwise couldn’t easily complete or afford a traditional college program. The average student age is 35, with more than 65% of attendees coming from underprivileged populations or being first-generation college students. Additionally, 72% of students work full time while pursuing their degrees. These grads are quickly seeing a difference in their lives as more career opportunities become available. As a result, students earn an average of $21,800 more within four years of graduation, which is significantly higher than the national average of $11,500.
“As we commemorate the ninth anniversary of WGU’s establishment in the state of Missouri, we want to recognize our students, many of whom have previously faced challenges in completing their degrees through traditional means,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, chancellor of WGU Missouri. “We are proud to provide the 900,000 Missourians who have some college but no degree with an alternative, affordable pathway to earning their bachelor’s and master’s degrees — and, ultimately, advancing their careers and transforming their lives. We look forward to continuing to empower many more adults to go back to school and earn their degrees in the years to come.”
WGU Missouri offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, information technology, K-12 teacher education and health professions, including nursing. Unlike a traditional college program, WGU caters to adults with previous or current work experience who are looking to further their careers through education. WGU Missouri’s competency-based education model allows adult students to take advantage of prior learning and experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn.
To be considered for WGU Missouri’s 9th Anniversary Scholarship, new and prospective students must be Missouri residents, be admitted to WGU Missouri, and submit a scholarship application by June 30, 2022. Scholarships will be awarded based on the student’s academic record, previous college experience, readiness for online study, current competency, and other considerations. The scholarship will be applied at the rate of $2,250 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms toward WGU’s already-low tuition of approximately $3,800 per six-month term for most programs. For more information about this scholarship, visit missouri.wgu.edu/9th.
Thank a Farmer week wraps up March 7
Farm Bureau’s presidents Lana Couch and Ben Fizette from Barry & Lawrence, join forces to co-sponsor a free-of-cost Market Outlook and State of Industry meeting featuring Kelly Smith and Sam Polly for farmers and future farmers in our area.
Following the chili dinner and dessert, we will begin the evening with Sam Polly, Missouri’s new state director of pesticide safety education with MU Extension.
“The greatest threat to modern agriculture is a negative public perception leading to over regulation. The ensuing runaway costs of regulatory compliance, lawsuits, and enforcement actions is stripping both our agricultural economy and heritage.” said Polly.
Sam will discuss the roots of this problem and what we can do about it while there is still time.
Then Missouri Farm Bureau’s senior director of marketing and commodities, Kelly Smith, will take the stage to provide an expansive summary of agriculture market outlook.
“Kelly will cover a wide range of topics that impacts our ag market including the pendulous cattle market, input costs, supply chain hiccups all the way to the impact of Russia stand-off’s on your feed grain flows,” said Ben Fizette, Lawrence County Farm Bureau president.
We hope you’ll join us for the opportunity to learn from these knowledgeable speakers on the final day of “Thank a Farmer Week” — Monday, March 7, 2022, at 6 p.m. beginning with chili dinner at the University of Missouri’s Southwest Research Center, 14548 Hwy H, Mount Vernon, MO 65712. Please kindly RSVP by Friday, March 4, by calling Tosha at 417-466-7679.
UScellular announces $70.3 million network investment in Missouri in 2021
UScellular announced that it made a $70.3 million investment in its Missouri network in 2021. This includes $11.3 million in general network upgrades, $24 million in 5G modernizations, and $35 million in 5G spectrum that will bring additional benefits in the coming years while advancing the company’s multiyear 5G network strategy.
Additionally, in 2021 UScellular provided $38,405 in funding to nonprofit organizations, teachers and youth organizations across Missouri, including $30,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia, $4,094 to teachers through donations to DonorsChoose.org and $4,311 through its Community Connections program. Three Boys & Girls Clubs in Missouri also received $316,525 worth of hot spots and service to help their members connect to the internet at the clubs or at home as part of the company’s After School Access Project.
“Connectivity is more important than ever right now, and at UScellular we are committed to keeping our customers connected to the people and places that matter most to them,” said Joe Cabrera, director of sales for UScellular in Missouri and Kansas. “We will continue to invest in creating a great wireless experience for customers, while also ensuring we provide critical resources for youth in our local communities.”
To help ensure customers have a great shopping experience, UScellular also invested $1.15 million in its Missouri retail store environments in 2021. This includes 12 new, relocated, redesigned or upgraded stores that better showcase the variety of products and services the company provides, making it easier for customers to find what they need.
For more news and information about UScellular, please go to newsroom.uscellular.com.
Since turning professional in 2010, Ricky Wysocki has won two world championships, six majors and been named Professional Disc Golfer Association Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year (four times).
Dynamic Discs
Ricky Wysocki doesn’t sweat. Instead, passion oozes from every pore.
On first impression, he’s like a robusta bean, his rat-a-tat words flowing quicker than comprehension. His cadence comes from an inner confidence that suggests he knows exactly where he’s headed.
Better yet, the excitement in his voice is so palpable that if he sold lint for a living, no one would bet against Wysocki becoming the best darn lint salesperson in the world.
But why settle for lint when perhaps being the best disc golf player has a better ring to it?
In a meteoric career on the Disc Golf Pro Tour that has paralleled the sport’s popularity, the sinewy 6-foot-4-inch Wysocki dominated 2021 en route to leading in wins, points and being named the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Player of the Year for the fourth time.
Ricky Wysocki signed a four-year, $4 million endorsement agreement in January 2022.
Dynamic Discs
“I think after last year, I am,” says the two-time PDGA world champion when asked if he’s the best player in the sport. “There are obviously players who are great, but in 2021 I won every award there was and I was also the most consistent player out there.”
Although current world champion James Conrad might take umbrage, know this: Wysocki’s words weren’t spoken with arrogance at the wheel.
In an era when athletes fish in a sea of cliches, there was refreshing earnestness mixed with a bit of innocence. There’s little doubt his successes in the Tour’s Mixed Pro Open division at 28-years-old has him positioned to remain as an upper echelon player, but sticking that legacy flag in disc golf’s historical ground is what matters most.
Dynamic Discs, founded in 2005, is also banking on him. On January 4, Wysocki, who turned professional in 2010 and promptly won PDGA Rookie of the Year honors in 2011, signed a $4 million endorsement deal with the company that could prove to be more lucrative in the long run. The payout matched Paul McBeth’s $1 million average annual contract as the biggest in disc golf history.
“His contract is $1 million a year and it’s guaranteed,” says Dynamic Discs team director Eric McCabe, the 2010 PDGA world champion and, incidentally, the company’s first sponsored athlete. “It could be more than that because depending how many discs we sell with his name on it, it could be $2 million.”
Says Dynamic Discs founder and CEO Jeremy Rusco: “I never thought in this short of time we’d have a million-dollar athlete throwing and representing Dynamic Discs. For us it’s really exciting — and for Ricky — and for the future of the sport.”
RELATED: Nine Must-Play Disc Golf Courses
Additionally, the deal included an extra $250,000 signing bonus paid in bitcoin. Crypto payments are a growing trend among some professional athletes. The NFL’s Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Trevor Lawrence, Russell Okung and Aaron Rodgers have packaged endorsement deals in crypto or leveraged it into contracts.
“For one, I’ve done a lot of research and feel confident, in my opinion, it will be the next generation currency,” says Wysocki, who makes his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. “It’s a long-term hold. In five to 10 years I think it will be worth quite a bit. Plus, in disc golf there is a crossover with crypto.”
Before the crypto deal, though, things got rather cryptic. At the end of 2019, Wysocki started “feeling off” and struggled. Fatigue followed him like a shadow. It was uncharted territory. He practiced, emphasizing shots and parts of his game that came easily. Self-doubt seeped in. Was he on the downside, he thought.
Little did he know, Lyme Disease had taken root. In hindsight, he said, it made sense since disc golfers compete on courses in wooded and bushy areas.
Then it got worse. In early 2020, Wysocki missed tournaments for the first time in his career.
“He went from being the top golfer in the world to barely being able to walk,” Rusco says.
For six months he battled the disease and then depression.
“From going from being a top-level pro athlete in my sport to getting Lyme Disease to barely being able to walk, and not knowing if I’m able to touch a disc at that level again, it was crazy to me,” Wysocki says.
It changed his mindset about health and wellness. After hiring a nutritionist, he said it was one of the best moves he ever made, pointing to his momentous 2021.
“I noticed I consistently had mental clarity and energy to play at the best of my abilities,” he says, adding that through blood, urine and saliva samples his nutrionist is able to set up his body for optimal performance with vitamins, supplements and diet.
There’s little argument the sport has experienced an upward trajectory. McCabe calls his era the pioneering times. Few players then made a salary, and only eight to 10 were traveling on tour full time. Today that number is closer to 50.
“The only time you were getting paid from a manufacturer was if you got your name on a disc. And the way you got your name on a disc is that you won a world title,” McCabe says.
Ken Climo, perhaps the most celebrated professional disc player, reeled off an unfathomable nine straight PDGA world titles in the 1990s and finished with 12. He earned $436,230.32 in career money. In 103 fewer events, Wysocki has already totaled $506,832.76.
Yet it’s not necessarily about the money. It comes back to legacy. Wysocki, a six-time major champion, wants to be everything he can be, from growing the game at a grass roots level through his Sockibomb Foundation to being an anti-Lyme Disease advocate, to becoming a legendary player in the same vein as Tom Brady.
For someone who became hooked on the sport circa 2004 while being home-schooled during his teenage years in Medina, Ohio, he’s gone places.
“It progressed from, ‘Hey, this is fun,’ and then it progressed to ‘I have a passion for this’ and ‘Hey, I’m good at this’ to ‘Hey, I’m going to dedicate my life to this’ to ‘Hey, I’m now the best player in the world for, who knows, how many years to come.'”
ENID, Okla. — Several years ago, Chad Nech was looking for an activity to lead a healthier lifestyle.
He caught the “disc golf bug” in 2016 and began traveling to various disc golf courses throughout Oklahoma and in Kansas and Texas to play in tournaments.
Then, Nech formed Enid Disc Golf Club and became a tournament director for Professional Disc Golf Association so he could organize and run events.
Nine disc golfers competed in the first tournament Nech ran in Enid. There were about 80 players in the most recent tournament.
“I wanted a community, so I built it,” he said. “Disc golf is just this inclusive thing that’s bringing all of these different people from all walks of life together.”
By 2017, EDCG was running tournaments and fundraisers, giving money back to nonprofits in the Enid area and helping fund additional courses and holes, such as the NWOSU-NOC Disc Golf Course and the 18-hole Meadowlake Disc Golf Course.
EDGC has grown in membership, reaching nearly 50 now, with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an “explosion” in membership.
“(Disc golf) has given us an outlet in a time when we need it,” Nech said. “One thing I started to see — especially in 2020 — is that people just needed a good time.”
Chad Nech, founder of Enid Disc Golf Club, rings up a customer who purchased discs at Flight Farm. (Kelci McKendrick / Enid News & Eagle)
Kelci McKendrick | Enid News & Eagle
The cost to become an EDGC member is $50. Disc golfers who are interested in playing with EDGC get a free “First Flight.”
The 2022 season begins on Feb. 20 and will last for 10 to 11 months, depending on the weather. EDGC offers both sanctioned and non-sanctioned leagues, and players are awarded 1.5 points for every player they tie with or beat.
EDGC’s winter indoor putting league, which started on Jan. 9, will continue from 4-6 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 27 at Enid Axe and costs $5. Mulligans Over Meadowlake will begin at 11 a.m. on March 6 and costs $60 per team, with all of the proceeds benefiting Forgotten Ministries’ Youth Program, The Bridge.
Nech said the support from the community since 2016 has been great, adding he wants to keep seeing the sport grow in popularity, especially targeting youth.
“I definitely want to … focus on the next generation, because we obviously can’t hold the torch forever,” Nech said.
For more information on disc golf or to get involved with EDGC, visit Enid Disc Golf on Facebook or join the EDGC Facebook Group.
More information also can be found at Flight Farm, 1012 Hite Boulevard, which sells discs and other disc golf items and is open from 2-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Two years ago, it was a dream, an idea that, if realized, would bring something new to Jefferson County as well as visitors to the county’s Ogeechee Crossing Park. That something new is disc golf. Players throw a flying disc toward a target. The number of throws a player uses to hit the target are tallied; and, the player with the fewest throws wins.
Henry Hamilton, owner of Adrenaline Heaven Sports, designed the course and will be the tournament director for the first disc golf tournament at Ogeechee Crossing. This inaugural match will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, and is a one-day event.
The targets at Ogeechee’s disc golf course are elevated metal baskets, the most common target.
As in ball golf or club golf, players must make consecutive throws from the point where the disc from the previous throw lands. Different obstacles such as trees and water challenge the players throughout the course.
Hamilton said the growth of this sport has been “phenomenal.” Standards for play have been established by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), which has sanctioned this event. The association set guidelines and classifications for the game.
“Professionals play for money. Amateurs play for trophies,” he said.
“This is all new to us,” said Park Coordinator Robert Yonchak. “We hope we get a good crowd.”
There will be a food vendor onsite. Yonchak said the tournament is an all day event and will happen “rain or shine.”
Jefferson County Commission Chairman Mitchell McGraw said the commissioners started a few years ago trying to find something different for people to do. Yonchak said the idea for disc golf started with local citizens; and, it became a team effort.
“It’s been a fun project to do,” McGraw said, adding it has brought a lot of excitement to Jefferson County.
“I’m grateful we got the grant,” he continued referring to a recreation grant the county received to assist in the cost of building the park.
“I’m just excited for our county to have this. There’s ecitement right now; and, I think there’ll be more excitement later,” McGraw said.
To register to play in the tournament, visit pdga.com and click the following: tournament schedule, October 2021, Oct. 30, Ogeechee Crossing Open, online registration. Registration ends Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m.
There is a cost associated with participation in the tournament, but there is no cost for spectators. Spectators may bring fold up lawn chairs.
The park is located at 1928 TE Buchannon Road and 1755 Hwy 171 (Grange Road), Louisville.
Slipping into another “mild” week of trivia and beer dinners, with a new release or two. But we are coming up to Mardi Gras next Tuesday, and the weekend before, so keep an eye peeled.
This has only tangentally affected the Chicago beer world, but Portland, Oregon’s Hair of the Dog brewery has announced it is closing after nearly 30 years in business. Alan Sprints started the brewery to focus on strong, bottle-conditioned ales and lagers, and was ahead of the IPA curve. Its popular beers had a picture of a dog on the label, like Fred barleywine and Adam strong ale. Most of its ingredients were sourced from farms and hop yards withing 350 miles of the brewery. They don’t seem to have made it to the Chicago market, but I’ve picked up a few in trades and in Indiana on my way to Dark Lord Day. Sprints has said he has no interest in selling to a corporation, and will keep the doors open until all his supply runs out.
Monday, February 21
3:00 – 7:00 pm • Country Grill Chicken Truck Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL (708) 304-2907 Map Country Grill Chicagoland is a food truck company offering rotisserie chicken and ribs fresh from the spit, homemade salads and pretzels.
5:30 – 8:30 pm • Indoor Disc Golf Putting League The Church Street Brewing Co., 1480 Industrial Dr. Ste. C, Itasca, IL (630) 438-5725 Map This past January we finished our first Indoor Disc Golf Putting League Tournament! Want to be a part of the next league? Join us for the next event on February 21st. Sign-up starts at 5:30 pm and the team-partner draw starts at 6:00 pm. This tournament will go from February 21st to March 28th. Come play every Monday to win! For more details come to the taproom and check it out for yourself.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Monday Night Trivia Une Année Brewery/Hubbard’s Cave, 6343 W. Gross Pointe Rd., Niles, IL (847) 635-0655 Map Free to play general trivia on the patio or in the taproom with Pub Trivia USA. Prizes to top teams! So much fun. We usually get a great turnout so reservations are always helpful!
7:00 – 10:00 pm • Weekly Trivia @ Pilot Project Pilot Project Brewing, 2140 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago (773) 270-5995 Map Join us in the Pilot Project Heated Tent for free pub trivia every Monday! Beer Special: Every player will receive one free 4oz taster of beer, booch or cider. Reservations Available on Tock
Tuesday, February 22
11:00 am – 10:00 pm • Two Brothers Fan Appreciation Day! Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL 630-393-2337 Map & Two Brothers Tap House, 30W315 Calumet Ave., Warrenville, IL 630-393-2337 Map We really like 2’s here at 2 Bros, so it only makes sense that we should do something fun on 2/22/22! And we’re taking the opportunity to show our appreciation to you, our fans. With that in mind, we will be offering all year-round pints for $2.22 all day long at both Two Brothers locations on Tuesday, February 22nd. Plus, we’ll be releasing a brand-new beer: Double Domaine. Think the OG Domaine DuPage on steroids. We’ll also have a fan raffle, where you can win things like gift cards, t-shirts, signs, etc. It’s our little way to say thank you, so let’s celebrate a bunch of 2’s!
4:00 – 9:00 pm • Support Urban Farming Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St., Chicago (312) 638-0700 Map Every Tuesday join us at the brewpub and order a Big Mick Burger + 12oz pour of Harold’s ’83 Honey Ale + a shot of Wolf Point Bourbon for $25 and we’ll donate $5 to Urban Growers Collective. Urban Growers Collective currently operates eight urban farms across 11 acres in the city of Chicago. On these farms, Urban Growers Collective’s job training and education, food access, and community engagement programs support health, economic development, healing, and creativity. The Green Era Renewable Energy and Urban Farm Campus in Auburn Gresham will serve as a centralized hub for workforce development, education, food access, and community well-being.
6:00 – 7:15 pm • Hops on Over to Flapjack Flapjack Brewery, 6833 Stanley Ave., Berwyn, IL (708) 637-4030 Map Head on over to Flapjack Brewery and learn all about brews! This upcoming Tuesday, February 22nd, Brewmaster Paul will teach you the 101 on beer pairing, and the art of craft beer. Snacks will be included! Questions? Call the Berwyn Park District at (708) 795 2892 Register Here.
6:30 pm • Tuesday Trivia: Shameless One Allegiance Brewing, 10215 S. Harlem Ave., Chicago Ridge, IL (708) 529-7067 Map Join us on Tuesdays for a night of trivia dedicated to various popular TV shows, movies, and themes! First Tuesday of every month is general knowledge trivia. Each game is free to play! First place winner will receive a $30 OAB Gift Card and other prizes include a beer to go. There is no entry fee to play trivia. Trivia starts at 7pm but come in to register at 6:30pm so you and your team can grab a couple drinks before the games start! See you soon for some fun, games and prizes!
6:30 – 8:30 pm • The Hangover Trivia Chuck’s Café Darien, 8025 S. Cass Ave., Darien, IL 331-431-4000 Map Join us on 2.22.22 for a special night of trivia all about The Hangover! This night will encompass all the Hangover films! Great prizes awarded to the Top 3 teams plus great drink specials all night long! Look out for some specialty priced margaritas as this event is happening on National Margarita Day! Reservations suggested: 331-431-4000. Drink specials: $2 Domestics | $2 PBR Drafts | $8 Flights $3 Imports | $4 Well Spirit One & One’s
7:00 – 9:30 pm • Trivia Night in Skokie Sketchbook Brewing Co. – Skokie, 4901 Main St., Skokie, IL (847) 588-0652 Map Trivia courtesy of Pub Trivia USA. No cards, teams will play on their phone apps. Prizes for the winning teams: $35 for 1st place, $25 for 2nd, $15 for 3rd. Pop up Latin American cuisine from Libertad from 5:30-8:30p!
7:00 pm • Brewery Bingo The Open Bottle Lockport, 16437 159th St., Lockport, IL (815) 293-6350 Map Brewery Bingo is back! Over the next 5 months, we’re partnering with a new brewery every Thursday at 7pm for our monthly Brewery Bingo! No more sneaking into bingo halls for you! Every week, we’ll have a draft beer on special and prizes from a variety of local breweries. Here’s who’s up: February – Half Acre Beer Co. March – Old Irving Brewing Co. April – Goose Island Beer Co. May – Mikerphone Brewing It’s Bingo with breweries you love & fantastic prizes for you to win! HOW TO PLAY: Imagine a Bingo card. Now replace the B-I-N-G-O with five breweries and the numbers replaced with their most popular beers. We’ll spin our bingo balls ’round and ’round until a random ball decides to set itself free. We call out a beer, you look at your bingo card, and then place a bottle cap on your card if you’re lucky. Get 5 in a row and win a prize! In between rounds, there will be penny pours, good music and even better times. Must be 21+ to play.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night at Black & Gray Black & Gray Brewing Co., 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL (224) 484-8200 Map Join us for weekly trivia! Questions cover all subjects (Current Events, Geography, History, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Science, Sports), and you play as a team. No limit to team sizes, so bring all the friends you want. The top teams will win gift certificates to be redeemed on a future trivia night.
7:00 – 10:00 pm • Movie Night Pilot Project Brewing, 2140 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago (773) 270-5995 Map Bad Boys hosted by Funkytown Brewery ($2 off FT beer)
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night at Alter Brewing Downers Grove Alter Brewing Co., 2300 Wisconsin Ave. #213, Downers Grove, IL 630-541-9558 Map Come out for our General Knowledge trivia night and join your host as they quiz your teams through two full hours of general knowledge trivia, including awesome themed bonus rounds and music rounds! While we’re testing your wit, Alter Brewing Company will be keeping you fueled up with craft brews all night, PLUS the top teams will win bragging rights and prizes, so bring your friends, family, and even your enemies (if they’re good at trivia) to increase your chances of winning. Feel free to order in delivery from one of the awesome local restaurants (we highly recommend Dan’s Pizza!) to enjoy during the event, as well. Due to limited capacity, reservations will be taken for indoor tables the time being – simply email [email protected] to reserve a table for your team. Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue, and here are a few extra tips: 1) Please bring your own pen/pencil. Our host will have pencils just in case, but it would be best to use your own for everyone’s safety & comfort. 2) The questions will be read by your host over our PA system, but may not be displayed on a screen if one is not easily available. 3) Any and all rules/restrictions are subject to change.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Breaking Bad Trivia Night at Pollyanna St. Charles Pollyanna – St. Charles, 106 S. Riverside Ave., St. Charles, IL (630) 549-7372 Map Been a while since you had your last fix (of trivia)? We can help with that…at Breaking Bad Trivia Night! Sean with Baig of Tricks Entertainment will be quizzing you through four increasingly harder rounds of questions over every season of the hit show while Pollyanna keeps you fueled up with craft brews all night, PLUS the top teams will win bragging rights and prizes, so bring your friends, family, and even your enemies (if they’re good at trivia) to increase your chances of winning. Feel free to order in delivery from one of the awesome local restaurants to enjoy during the event, as well. Be sure to get there early and snag your team a spot and fuel up with some drinks, see you soon! Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue, and here are a few extra tips: 1) Please bring your own pen/pencil. Our host will have pencils just in case, but it would be best to use your own for everyone’s safety & comfort. 2) The questions will be read by your host over our PA system, but may not be displayed on a screen if one is not easily available. 3) Any and all rules/restrictions are subject to change.
Wednesday, February 23
11:00 am – 9:00 pm • Give Back Fundraiser for Footlight Players Theater Zorn Brew Works Co., 605 E. 9th St., Michigan City, IN (219) 243-7157 Map Wednesday, February 23rd, Zorn Brew Works Co. will be giving back to Footlight Players Theater. Zorn Brew Works will be donating 20% of all food sales during Open Mic Night. The Footlight Players are an innovative group of actors from across the region presenting musicals, plays, concerts and special events year-round.
12:00 – 4:00 pm • Work From Here Weekdays Riverlands Brewing Co., 1860 Dean St. Unit A, St. Charles, IL (630) 549-6293 Map Wednesdays…the half way point to the weekend. Let us help make the work week a bit better with our Work From HERE Wednesday special! Each week, come by with your work team, laptop, paper work….or just your self…and enjoy $2.00 off full pours of any of our 16 taps. On occasion, we’ll have food trucks or pop-ups to supply your mid-day hunger cravings. Otherwise, bring lunch or order delivery from one of our local St. Charles neighbors.
5:30 pm • Abita Pint Night Chuck’s Café Burbank, 6501 W. 79th St., Burbank, IL 708-229-8700 Map Join us for Abita Pint night. Order a Pint of Abita and get to keep the glass! While Supplies Last, One per Customer.
6:00 pm • Church Street Brewing Tap Takeover at Shooter’s Taproom Shooter’s Bar Grill, 4007 E State St., Rockford, IL 815-399-0683 Map Join Shooter’s Taproom, above Don Carter Lanes, as we welcome Church Street Brewing Co. to our next Tap Takeover. Peace
6:00 – 8:00 pm • Ale Trail Night Rt 66 Old School Brewing, 110 Bridge St., Wilmington, IL (815) 476-2220 Map Join the heritage Corridor Ale Trail from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for special giveaways and learn how to use the 2022 Heritage Corridor Ale Trail passport to win exclusive prizes by visiting local breweries.
6:00 – 8:00 pm • Brews Brushes and Besties – Sew Hop’d -St.Patrick’s Day Sew Hop’d Brewery & Taproom, One Union Special Plaza, Ste. 113, Huntley, IL (815) 701-8819 Map Your ticket includes a beverage, tax and tip. Click on event photo for all options to paint 12” Wood Tray- handles provided $45 Gnome on canvas or Wood choose Any design from St. Patrick’s Day, Easter or Spring $40 To register email [email protected] Various payment options availability
7:00 – 10:00 pm • Half Acre Beer Pairing Dinner Sidecar Supper Club & Beer Garden, 12 N. River St., Batavia, IL (630) 406-9200 Map 5-course beer dinner featuring Chicago-style street food. $75 includes tax and Half Acre swag to take home. Tickets through Eventbrite at the Facebook event page. Join us for our 4th beer dinner of the season with one of our favorites! 5-course beer dinner with Half Acre Beer Co. featuring Chicago-style street food. $75 includes tax and Half Acre swag to take home. 1st Course – 12 oz can of Fader Elote – Fire roasted corn, taking, house crema, cojita cheese, lime, and a little bit of heat. 2nd Course – Tend IPA Classic Beef Pastie – Root vegetables, carrots, potatoes, rutabaga in a hand pie with house curry ketchup and truffle aioli. 3rd Course – Double Daisy Cutter Chicago Dog – Housemade Chicago Hot Dog inspired Crunch Wrap – SUPREME! 4th Course – Orin Italian Bao – 48hr Sous-vid short rib and gairdinera. Served in a boa bun with more gairdinera Dessert – Parfait Hut Bananabread Cake Shake( It is national banana bread day) made with Kimmers Chocolate ice cream
7:00 pm • SNL Alumni Movie Trivia The Brass Tap, 14225 95th Ave. Ste. 400, Orland Park, IL 708-226-1827 Map Saturday Night Live produced lot of funny and amazing actors. Join us for a night of SNL Alumni Movie Trivia. It’s free to play and prizes are awarded to the top teams. Call the bar now to reserve your table.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • The Office Trivia at Brothership Brewing Brothership Brewing, 18781 S. 90th Ave., Unit E, Mokena, IL 708-995-7014 Map We’re looking for Dunder Mifflin experts to join the fun in Mokena! Try to outwit other teams while enjoying a night out, beer, and trivia … sounds like a fun Wednesday night. Top teams win prizes.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia & Tacos @ the LV Taproom! Harbor Brewing Co., Lake Villa, 136 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa, IL Map General Trivia hosted by Chicago Trivia Guys starts at 7pm! Authentic Mexican Food from Mijo’s will be served starting at 5pm!
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Wednesdays at Black Lung! Black Lung Brewing Co., 2217 N. Illinois 83, Round Lake Beach, IL (224) 643-7204 Map We have trivia every wednesday with Dancing in the Rain DJ! Come have a tasty craft beer and win a cool prize, if you’re good enough;) This is free trivia!
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Stump Trivia Quiz Ten Ninety Brewing Co., 1025 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, IL 224-432-5472 Map IN-PERSON trivia is back at Ten Ninety Brewing Company! Wednesday nights have never been better! Join us for two free, fun, rounds of trivia beginning at 7pm & 8pm. We will be using our new digital scoring system. Each team will designate one person to submit answers on your team’s behalf. No need to write anything down by hand, no need to stand up, and no need to turn in a paper answer slip! Remember – venue capacity may be limited, so please call ahead to RSVP! More info: here.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia at Lo Rez Brewery Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom, 2101 S. Carpenter St., Chicago (888) 404-2262 Map Hosted by Paul Durica from the Newberry Library 1st place – case [ yes that’s 6 four packs ] of rotating beer 2nd place – gift certificate to share with your team next round 3rd place – round of drinks for your team! $5/pp to compete! Max of four per team. Trivia begins on March 23rd and will be every 4th Wednesday of the month. Brainstorm those team names to impress Lo Rez!
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Sneak Preview Beer Dinner Old Town Pour House, 1419 N. Wells St., Chicago 312-477-2800 Map In preparation for Friday’s Goose Island tap takeover, Old Town Pour House will be offering a 5-course beer dinner on Wednesday and Thursday, February 23 & 24. Guests will enjoy a dynamic menu paired with exclusive brews, and the chance to hear from Goose Island brewers directly. Tickets are limited to 40 people. Seating is at 7:00 pm. Beer Dinner Menu: Welcome Beer – Sofie First Course – 2020 Bourbon County Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon Stout Pork Belly: Bourbon County Stout braised, crispy pork belly, sunny side up egg, berry jam, brioche toast points Second Course – Matilda Baked Oysters: jumbo lump crabmeat, leeks, pancetta, pine nut breadcrumb Third Course – 2017 Gillian Wagyu New York Strip Carpaccio: egg, capers, red onion, baby arugula, mustard horseradish sauce, fresh cracked black pepper, Parmigiano-Reggiano, grilled ciabatta bread Fourth Course – 2021 Double Barrel BCS Braised Elk Short Rib: Bourbon County Stout braised, creamy Parmesan grits, fingerling potatoes, baby carrots, shallots, turnips, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, Bourbon County Stout au jus glaze Fifth Course – 2021 Fine Old Rum Barrel Stout Chocolate Stout Cake: Fine Old Rum Barrel Stout cake, peanut butter mousse, bananas, walnut crumb Tickets for the Tap Takeover and Beer Dinner are sold separately here.
Thursday, February 24
Monk’s Pub Tap Takeover Monk’s Pub, 205 W. Lake St., Chicago 312-357-6665 Map Join Funkytown Brewery at Monk’s Pub for a Tap Takeover.
2:00 – 6:00 pm • Twisted Hippo Taproom & Eatery Blood Drive Twisted Hippo, 2925 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago (708) 844-7768 Map Next Thursday (February 24th), our collective toil and trouble with the good people of Chaos Brewclub coalesce as a Chaotic Fantasy. The winners of a homebrew competition judged by the Hippo, Chaotic Fantasy is a new-fangled Cold IPA shining with all the alchemic intertwining of Vic Secret, Citra, & Cluster hops. Assertive bitterness, bright tropical citrus, and a tempered malt bill are all given the stage by a classically clean lager yeast. Thanks to the sweethearts at CHOAS for letting us scale and share this beer with you. It’s a true glass of gold. Available on draft and in cans.
3:00 pm • Revolution Tap Takeover RESCHEDULED Prestige 6249 Tap Room, 6249 S. Cass Ave., Westmont, IL (630) 963-9733 Map Update: We are rescheduling our Feb. 17 Revolution Deep Wood Series Tap Takeover to today at 3pm. Beers are enjoyed more when everyone had the confidence to get home safely. The Prestige 6249 Tap Room crew apologizes for this inconvenience. Come by and enjoy some of these amazing barrel-aged brews. Draft beer menu will include: 2020 Ten Year Beer 2020 Mineshaft Gap 2021 Blackberry Finn 2021 Dark Mode If you need a breather, we’ll also have Rev Pils Chicago Pilsner.
3:00 – 9:00 pm • Nashville Hot Chicken Thursday! Wildrose Brewing Co., 1104 E. Main St., Griffith, IN (219) 595-5054 Map It’s Thursday…..you know what that means. Due to popular demand we’re serving up Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches every Thursday. Topped with Chef Mike’s homemade slaw and pickles and paired with a side of fries for just $10! We are now also offering up a less spicy version for those who can’t handle all the heat. Both the spicy and less spicy will be available only while supplies last. These have been extremely popular the last few weeks so you don”t wanna miss out!
5:00 – 7:00 pm • Keep The Pint Night at Main Street Pub Main Street Pub, 466 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL 630-790-1734 Map Swing through Main Street Pub on Thursday, grab yourself a pint of Maplewood’s finest and take the glass home!
5:00 pm • Barrel Aged Mania Half Day Brewing Co., 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire, IL 847-821-6933 Map Join us at 5pm for Barrel Aged Mania! Try our 2021 Barrel Aged Beer On Tap Or Take Home a 2-Pack! Featuring our 2021 Limited Release Warrior Paint, 2021 Double Coffee Warrior Paint & 2021 Barrel Aged Cake Double Pastry Stout. Available in 5 & 10 oz pours while supplies last.
6:00 – 8:00 pm • Rhythm n’ Brews Music Bingo On Tour Brewing Co., 1725 W. Hubbard St., Chicago 312-796-3119 Map MUSIC BINGO NIGHT, ANYONE? Test your music knowledge at our first ever “Rhythm n’ Brews” music bingo night Thursdays through February from 6 – 8 PM! From behind-the-scenes tour tickets to 4-packs of our delicious beers, there are a ton of prizes to be won. Grab a bingo-loving buddy, a beer and escape the cold weather for a guaranteed fun night. HOW TO PLAY: No sign-up necessary. If you’re itching to play, let a bartender know when you arrive and they’ll give you a bingo sheet. Rhythm n’ Brews Music Bingo is on a come-and-go basis but the longer you stay, the better the chance you have of winning!
6:00 pm • Cruz Blanca Tap Takeover Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W Chicago Ave., Chicago (773) 645-4949 Map Join us at Roots West Town for a tap takeover with Cruz Blanca on Thursday, 2/24 at 6pm featuring the following beers: Rey Gordo– Heaven Hill barrel-aged Imperial Stout El Train– American IPA Palm Shade– Tropical IPA Vamos– Vienna Lager We will also be raffling off a Cruz Blanca gift basket to lucky winner!
6:00 – 9:00 pm • Arts & Drafts: Justin Bickus Riverlands Brewing Co., 1860 Dean St. Unit A, St. Charles, IL (630) 549-6293 Map Arts & Drafts, our monthly local artist showcase and exhibit, finally makes its return this February with local artist and educator, Justin Bickus. Throughout the month of February, an exhibit of Justin’s work will be on display all over our St. Charles brewery. Come by, view his work, and get info on purchasing the pieces you like. On Thursday, Feb 24, stop by for a meet and greet with Justin here at the taproom from 6 to 9pm. He’ll be creating custom coaster art and discussing his work one-on-one with visitor as time allows. Attendees of ALL artistic levels are highly encouraged to bring their own art supplies and create coaster art while they’re here. We’ll include our favorites on our social media channels and perhaps even pick a few for a new collage we’re creating. We’ll also have live music by the New Vintage Strings Quartet and fresh Kayak Pils on draft and in can to-go.
6:00 – 8:00 pm • Dry City Trivia Dry City Brew Works, 120B N. Main St., Wheaton, IL (630) 456-4787 Map Trivia at Dry City! Themed trivia every Thursday!
6:00 – 9:00 pm • Take Flight Thursdays Riverlands Brewing Co., 1860 Dean St. Unit A, St. Charles, IL (630) 549-6293 Map Thursdays seem lame until you realize they’re really FRIDAY EVE. To celebrate come sample some of St. Charles’ hometown beers and SAVE. Every Thursday*, from 6pm to close, we’ll take $2.00 off flights of four 5oz pours. This is the PERFECT date night opportunity, or a chance to just try out some of our 16 taps all at once. We also have a rotating calendar of pub games each Thursday, including our monthly trivia nights, shuffleboard tournies, and (weather permitting) patio disc golf putting. Check our weekly events for more details. *Excludes holidays or other special events
6:00 – 9:00 pm • Revolution Tap Takeover Mackey’s Hideout, 2601 S. River Rd., McHenry, IL (815) 363-7040 Map Come out to Mackey’s Hideout to enjoy some Revolution Brews! You can find our classic styles on tap with several Deep Woods variations as well.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Sneak Preview Beer Dinner Old Town Pour House, 1419 N. Wells St., Chicago 312-477-2800 Map In preparation for Friday’s Goose Island tap takeover, Old Town Pour House will be offering a 5-course beer dinner on Wednesday and Thursday, February 23 & 24. Check the event listing for Wednesday for full details.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Schitt’s Creek Trivia Night Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd, Darien, IL (630) 541-9414 Map Hello bebes…now is not the time for pettifogging! Hide your diamonds, hide your exes…Schitt’s Creek trivia is coming to Miskatonic! Joeyfrom Baig of Tricks Entertainment will be quizzing you through four increasingly harder rounds over every season of the hit show while Miskatonic keeps you fueled up with their fantastic selection of craft brews! Trivia is always free to play, but we’re not just playing for fun – the top teams each night take home some awesome prizes! Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • The Office Trivia at Buckledown Brewing BuckleDown Brewing, 8700 W. 47th St., Lyons, IL 708-777-1842 Map We’re looking for Dunder Mifflin experts to join the fun in Lyons! Try to outwit other teams while enjoying a night out with beer and trivia … sounds like a fun Thursday night. Top teams win prizes. If you can’t make it to The Office trivia night. join us weekly on Tuesday nights for General Knowledge trivia. Emceed by Chicago Trivia Guys.
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Holzlager Trivia Holzlager Brewing Co., 150 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL (815) 308-5901 Map Come test your knowledge with our weekly Holzlager Trivia Nights! Our Trivial Pursuit-inspired game focuses on 5 topics: Entertainment, History & Geography, Science & Nature, Art & Literature and Sports & Leisure. Stay tuned for our monthly special-themed trivia nights!
7:00 – 9:00 pm • Ted Lasso Trivia One Lake Brewing Co., 1 Lake St., Oak Park, IL (708) 434-5232 Map “Futbal is LIFE!” Come show off your knowledge of everything Ted Lasso! Join Sean with Baig of Tricks Entertainment as he quizzes your teams through two full hours of trivia over both seasons of the hit show! Top teams will win bragging rights and prizes, so bring your friends, family, and even your enemies (if they’re good at trivia) to increase your chances of winning. Gather your team and reserve your spot here.
7:00 – 10:00 pm • FeBREWary with Rock 95.5 Empirical Brewery, 1801 W. Foster Ave., Chicago (773) 654-1565 Map Join us in the taproom on Feb. 24th for a live broadcast with Maria Palmer of 95.5 Chicago Rock Station! There will be giveaways all night, including FREE BEER! It’ll be a night full of music, prizes, and a damn good time. Show starts at 7pm and will go until 10pm. Mark your calendars, folks. This will be a night you won’t wanna miss.
7:30 – 9:00 pm • Thursty Thursday Elephino Trivia Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map Join M.C. Hill & Elephino Trivia every Thursday night at Side Lot Brewery for Team Trivia. Free to play & fabulous prizes to win.
