A month before her retirement, Karyn Powers strolls down memory lane and discusses her 30+ years working for the Wausau & Marathon County Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department.

Prior to returning to Marathon County after interning in Wausau her senior year of college, she spent 5 years working for the Department of Defense for the U.S. Navy in Iceland and for the U.S. Army in South Korea.

This adventurous woman traveled far and wide, only to find her way back to a public service position with Marathon County once more, where in addition to serving as Recreation Superintendent, she is an accomplished poet, author, painter, and, of course, lover of all things outdoors. (Click the title for details.)

United Way of Marathon County’s Early Years Coalition and Partnership for Youth provide resources and activities for ages 0 to 21 years. Never has this work been more important than during a pandemic.

Learn how these coalitions keep kids learning and connected, as well as socially and emotionally well. Plus, get updates on this year’s (virtual) hiring fair, which allows teens to interview for and potentially accept a job on the spot. (Click the title for details.)

Watching Wausau RiverWolves hockey games and renting private ice time are a few of the ways the public can see and appreciate recent renovations (totaling $332,735) completed at Marathon Park’s indoor ice arenas — including updates to the flooring, dasher boards, and tempered glass, as well as the refrigeration and sound systems.

Learn the effect the pandemic is having on high school and youth hockey programs at the arenas, as well as on public figure skating, and get suggestions for other outdoor winter activities (often modified due to COVID-19 precautions) that the Wausau/Marathon County PRF Department supports in the full article. (Click the title for details.)