Hometown hero wins gold

Plus: Wisconsin winters, 52nd Birkie was record-breakingly fast, 2027 Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl Stamp Contest Open

Author

Forrest Koslowski
February 26, 2026

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Mornin’ to everyone bummed that The Glide ice skating ribbon officially closed for the season. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly, the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week’s weekly:

❄️ WI winters becoming unreliable

⛷️ 52nd Birkie was record-breakingly fast

 🦃 2027 Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl Stamp Contest Open

⛸️ STORY OF THE WEEK: The Pride of Kewaskum: How Jordan Stolz Conquered Milan

  • Our "Frozen Tundra" reputation is taking a bit of a hit lately, with warmer-than-usual temps and less-than-ideal snowfall leaving winter businesses in a bit of a slushy situation. From ice fishing guides to ski hill operators, everyone is having to get pretty creative to keep the "Up North" magic alive when the thermometer doesn't want to cooperate.

  • It’s not just about missing out on a good snowball fight; the lack of consistent cold is hitting the local wallets too. When the snow doesn’t fall, the snowmobiles stay in the garage, and that means fewer pit stops for burgers and brews at our favorite trailside spots—a tough break for the small towns that rely on that winter rush.

  • But don’t count Wisconsin out just yet! Our local event organizers are basically the MacGyvers of the cold, using man-made snow and pivoting to "land-based" fun to make sure the festivals go on. It’s a reminder that while the weather might be unpredictable, the Wisconsin spirit (and our ability to have a good time regardless) is totally weatherproof.

⛷️ 52nd Birkie was record-breakingly fast LINK

  • The American Birkebeiner just wrapped its 52nd year, and thanks to some "perfect" hard-packed snow, the course records didn’t just break—they shattered. David Norris finished the 50K skate in a blistering 1 hour and 44 minutes, proving that Hayward in February is basically the Indy 500 of skiing.

  • It wasn't just a pro-only party; over 13,000 skiers from all over the globe descended on Cable and Hayward. Whether they were gunning for a podium or just trying to survive "Seven-Bitch Hill," the energy was high and the beer at the finish line was, as always, well-deserved.

  • The event continues to be a massive win for the local economy and Northwoods spirit. Even if you aren't ready to strap on the skinny skis yourself, the vibe of thousands of people chanting "Ski! Ski! Ski!" in the middle of a Wisconsin forest is something everyone should experience at least once.

🦃 2027 Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl Stamp Contest Open LINK

  • The Wisconsin DNR is officially hunting for its next masterpiece, opening up the 2027 Wild Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl Stamp Design Contests. It’s your chance to get your artwork on the literal "gold standard" of conservation—and maybe earn some bragging rights at the local tavern while you're at it.

  • These stamps aren't just for show; they’re a huge deal for our feathered friends. Sales from these stamps rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for habitat restoration and research, ensuring our state stays a premier destination for bird watchers and hunters alike.

  • Think you’ve got the skills? You’ve got until August 1, 2026, to get your entries in. Judging happens in Oshkosh later that month, so it’s time to dust off the brushes and start channeling your inner Bob Ross—just with more mallards and fewer "happy little trees."

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⛸️ STORY OF THE WEEK: The Pride of Kewaskum: How Jordan Stolz Conquered Milan LINK

There is an old saying that champions are made when no one is looking. In the case of Jordan Stolz, that happened on a quiet, frozen pond in Washington County. Long before the bright lights of the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, there was just a kid from Kewaskum, a pair of skates, and a lot of Wisconsin winter.

This past week, the rest of the world finally caught up to what we’ve known for years: Jordan Stolz is a generational talent. At just 21 years old, Stolz didn’t just participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics; he dominated them. He kicked things off by clinching gold in the 1,000-meter race, setting a blistering Olympic record of 1:06.28. But he wasn’t finished. A few days later, he lined up for the 500-meter sprint and did it again, clocking in at 33.77 seconds to secure his second gold and another spot in the record books.

Watching Jordan skate is like watching a masterclass in physics. While his competitors often burn out in the final stretch, Stolz is famous for his "last lap lunges," finding a gear that most humans simply don't possess. It’s a level of dominance that has drawn inevitable comparisons to Eric Heiden, the fellow Wisconsinite who swept five golds in 1980.

What makes Stolz so easy to root for, though, isn’t just the medals—it’s the classic Wisconsin humbleness. Despite sharing promotional screen time with Hollywood A-listers and being dubbed the "fastest man on ice," he remains remarkably even-keeled. Whether he’s shaking his fist gently after a win or casually discussing his backyard pond roots, he carries the Northwoods spirit with him onto the world stage.

As the 2026 Games wrap up, Stolz returns home as the most decorated American athlete of the Olympics. He’s brought a renewed sense of pride to the Pettit National Ice Center and proved that you don’t need a fancy academy to reach the podium—sometimes, you just need a frozen backyard and the drive to be the fastest kid in the county.

Now get out 'der.

WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

Last Week's Trivia Check

We asked how many gallons of Sugar Maple sap it takes to boil down into a single gallon of pure Wisconsin maple syrup. You guys know your "liquid gold"—67% of you nailed this one!

The Correct Answer: C) 40 gallons.

The Takeaway: The "Rule of 40" is the standard for maple producers. Sap is only about 2% sugar when it flows from the tree. To reach the legal density of syrup (66% sugar), producers must boil off 39 gallons of water. That is a massive amount of firewood and steam for one gallon of syrup!

This Week’s Trivia

As we hit the final days of February, the general inland fishing season is about to close. Most game fish are relatively dormant right now, conserving energy for the spring thaw. But deep beneath the ice, one strange and highly active predator is just getting started, putting on a wild display while the rest of the lake sleeps.

Which native Wisconsin fish is the only species to spawn in the dead of winter under the ice, often forming massive, writhing "mating balls" in late February and early March?

Give it a gut check, click a response below!

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MEME OF THE WEEK 😆

A review from the trail… Appreciate it neighbor!

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