Meet this unique rural Wisconsin artist

October 13, 2026

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Good afternoon!

Ellie here. Thanks for starting your week with us.

We’ve talked a lot about the Milwaukee Brewers over the past week, but how can you not?

Over the weekend, the team set off in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Sunday, the Brewers won 2-1, and yesterday, they won 7-4. They were two awesome games!

I went to the game on Sunday with my boyfriend, his family, and some of our friends. We had such a great time!

Go Brewers! (Ellie Bourdo / UpNorthNews)

The team leads the series 2-0 and is now headed to Los Angeles for Game 3 of the series at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

How did you spend your time watching the Brewers’ games? And how are you feeling about this team? Let me know!

Ellie Bourdo

Newsletter Editor, UpNorthNews

First, a few headlines from around the state:

💵 While the Milwaukee Brewers are doing well, the team is also having an economic benefit to the city of Milwaukee. (WTMJ)

✏️ Across the state, eight schools were recognized by the Department of Public Instruction as Blue Ribbon School winners. (FOX 6 Milwaukee)

⚾ How are you feeling about the Brewers’ postseason run? These fans are saying they think this crew can go all the way. (WLUK)

With the warmer temperatures coming to an end, fall is in full effect.

Here’s a great view of the fall colors from our reader Margaret H.

“From the cottage this past weekend.”

Show me your Wisconsin view!

Stories rooted in Wisconsin’s Up North.

Jerry Marcelle stands beside his mosaic self-portrait at The Plantscapers in the Town of Luxemburg. It’s one of the many extensive pieces of art he has created at the nursery and his home since retiring from the business he co-founded in 1988. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

In rural Luxemburg, remarkable mosaics, wire animals, a humble artist

Retired Luxemburg plantsman Jerry Marcelle has found a new creative outlet and turned an old chicken house into a work of art.

Marcelle spent the last three years transforming the outside of an old brooder house, dating back to at least 1850, into a mosaic piece of art. He uses stones, wires, and various other treasures, each placed by hand in mortar.

“I don’t have any talent,” Marcelle said. “I just wing it.”

The collection is full of surprises. It has everything from a bowling ball and a teacup from Korea to seashells Marcelle brought home from serving in Vietnam. The items he uses come from both his own collection and gifts from friends, neighbors, and even strangers.

On the Ballot: An UpNorthNews live event with David Crowley and Josh Kaul

On the Ballot: UpNorthNews Live

Don’t forget! Tomorrow is our live event about what’s on the ballot in Wisconsin this November.

On the Ballot: UpNorthNews Live, a COURIER event presented in partnership with Tech For The People, will feature a live conversation with Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee County Executive and gubernatorial candidate David Crowley, and UpNorthNews Founding Editor Pat Kreitlow.

This is a real, unscripted conversation, built to get past the talking points and give Wisconsinites real answers before they vote.

Admission is FREE, but space is very limited. Register here ASAP: https://luma.com/courier-kmmd

Can’t make it in person? Catch the livestream on COURIER’s YouTube channel.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Ellie Bourdo with stories from 6USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and UpNorthNews Staff. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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