Dream Up Lincoln County

10/08/2026

A big THANK YOU to 3CWI - Child Care Coalition of WI for sponsoring the Northwoods Forum on Child Care! We couldn't make this event happen without your support. It truly does take a village!
The event is open to the public
Visit www.3cwi.org/dreamup for event details and to RSVP.

10/08/2026

Policymakers, employers, child care providers, and residents will gather in Merrill in about two weeks to talk about a problem that reaches well beyond the nursery: how the shortage of child care is …

10/06/2026

Today at the Merrill Expo Center!

Join us and other community agencies in Merrill for the Community Baby Shower TODAY - Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3:00-6:00 PM.
Lincoln County Health Department

10/05/2026

A big THANK YOU to Crossbridge Community Bank for sponsoring the Northwoods Forum on Child Care! We couldn't make this event happen without your support. It truly does take a village!
The event is open to the public
Visit www.3cwi.org/dreamup for event details and to RSVP.

10/01/2026

A big THANK YOU to Merrill Chamber for sponsoring the Northwoods Forum on Child Care! We couldn't make this event happen without their support.
The event is open to the public!
Visit www.3cwi.org/dreamup for event details and to RSVP.

09/29/2026

A big THANK YOU to for sponsoring the Northwoods Forum on Child Care! We couldn't make this event happen without their support.
The event is open to the public!
Visit www.3cwi.org/dreamup for event details and to RSVP.

09/28/2026

Dream Up! Lincoln County is proud to announce the Northwoods Forum on Child Care, bringing together policymakers, employers, child care professionals, economic development leaders, and community stakeholders for a regional conversation about child care and why it is one of the most pressing issues today.

The event is open to the public and will take place Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Lincoln County Services Building in Merrill, Wisconsin.
A dinner reception, sponsored by Geiss Meat Service of Merrill, will kick off at 5:00pm. The forum begins at 6:00pm

The Northwoods Forum will examine the current child care landscape and its impact on families,employers, communities, and the future of Northern Wisconsin. The discussion will focus on three central questions:
• What is the child care challenge facing our communities?
• How does child care affect families, employers, and local economies?
• What can we do to create sustainable solutions?

Featured Panelists
The forum will feature a diverse panel representing state policy, child care, and workforce development:
Wisconsin State Representative Patrick Snyder
Chair, Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Children and Families
Micki Krueger
Assistant Director, Childcaring, Inc.
Brian Kalish
Executive Director, Advance Wisconsin Employment

The panel discussion will be moderated by Sara Guild, Director of Lincoln County Economic Development, and Elsa Duranceau, President & CEO of the Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin (3CWI)

06/24/2026

Sign-up and submit your questions!

Child care is a kitchen table issue for Wisconsin families, and this July, we have a chance to make sure the candidates for Governor know it.

For the first time, Wisconsin's four child care associations are coming together to host a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Child Care. Whether you're a provider trying to keep your program running, a parent navigating the search for affordable and quality care, or someone who just believes this issue deserves real answers, this event is for you.

Sunday, July 19 | Doors open at 3:30pm | Meet & Greet 4:00-4:30pm | Forum 4:30pm

📍 IBEW 159 | 5303 Fen Oak Dr., Madison, WI

⚠️ RSVP is required to attend in person or watch online. You can also submit a question ahead of time that you want the candidates to answer.

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/child-care-forum-governor-candidates

Organized by Heather Murray, owner of Arthouse Preschool. Sponsored by WECA, WCCAA, WFCCA & WHSA.

06/11/2026

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Dolly Tank, a family child care provider and early childhood educator in Merrill, who dedicated her life to caring for children and supporting families in her community. Dolly opened her heart and her home to children in 1991. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

View Darlene "Dolly" Mary Tanck's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.