Time’s running out! 
The online 2021 Garden Tour Auction closes at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. There are still great deals to be had on an extensive and eclectic catalog of unique items — like those seen here — including outdoor décor, compost, named hostas, artwork of all kinds, jewelry and gift baskets along with technological goodies like smart TVs, an HD tablet, vacuum cleaners, and an Echo Show. What a great way to have fun and support Stepping Stones!
CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BIDS!
Winning bidders will be able to pick up their items at Stepping Stones (1602 Stout Road, Menomonie) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3 and on Thursday, Aug. 5. That’s when we’ll have volunteers on hand to bring you your goodies!
Celebrating 20 years of glorious gardens!
Taking place throughout the entire month of July, Stepping Stones’ 2021 Garden Tour will feature a hybrid blend of individual videos of four exquisite gardens to view from the comfort of your couch as well as the opportunity to visit two of the lovely locales in person. NO TICKETS ARE NEEDED! All we ask is a free-will donation at each site.
- Menomonie Community Garden(2500 Ninth Street East – next to Phelan Park) on Saturday, July 24 will be open for viewing 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Lynn and Richard Nehring (N7263 State Road 40, about 4 miles south of Colfax). Due to parking limitations the garden will be open for visiting from 12 noon to 7 p.m. for four days: Sunday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 28. Look for Garden Tour signs on State Road 40 near the garden. Please note: this garden will NOT be open on other dates/times.
Here’s a description of this year’s gardens and the dates to “tune in” for each virtual visit:
Week of July 5: Located in rural Menomonie, CharBar Ranch is Barb Anderson and Charlie LeFevre’s pride and joy. Set among ponds and a view of grazing sheep, their garden features a variety of flowers, small fruits and berries, and vegetable plots in a serene setting.
Click here to see for yourself all the garden delights that are in store. Meet Tillie, the ranch dog in charge, along with Barb and Charlie’s sheep herd and chicken flock!
Week of July 12: Cheryl and James Frisch’s hilltop hideaway outside Colfax is replete with lilies, roses, a fine variety of perennials, and a vegetable garden.
Click here to gather all kinds of great tips for growing all kinds of perennials, annuals and vegetables, lots of unusual and proven methods to discourage deer, cats, rabbits and other pests , and easy ways to keep garden records!
Week of July 19: In its 12th year, the Menomonie Community Garden has grown to more than 100 plots rented to local gardeners to create a true showplace of sustainable agriculture and setting for horticultural education.
Click here to meet a few of the many devoted folks who rent plots in the Menomonie Community Garden, located next to Phelan Park, to indulge their passion for raising a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. This video will surely whet your appetite to investigate their efforts for yourself on Saturday, July 24 when the gardens in all their glory will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Week of July 26: Lynn and Richard Nehring’s home in rural Colfax. Tucked along a hillside, this hidden gem is filled with shade and sun perennial gardens and borders along meandering pathways. Featured on the 2010 Garden Tour, visitors will find new gardens and changed landscapes.
Click here to take a stroll around a garden that’s always evolving in so many stunning ways. And to think: Lynn Nehring said she and husband Richard didn’t know anything about gardening they moved to their home south of Colfax 35 years ago!
The Nehring’s garden will be available to view online on Friday, July 23 — with in-person visits beginning Sunday, July 25 though Wednesday, July 28, 12 noon until 7 p.m.
The grand finale to the month-long celebration will be an online silent auction of a fine selection of garden-related delights, like painted barn quilts (like the one seen here) and other unique outdoor décor, compost, named hostas and other plants, new and vintage quilts, artwork of all kinds, jewelry and gift baskets — along with other goodies like smart TVs vacuum cleaners, and an HD tablet.
The bidding starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 23 and ends at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 31. TO PLACE YOUR BIDS, CLICK HERE!
Look for the links for both the garden tour videos and online auction on Stepping Stones’ website (www.steppingstonesdc.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SteppingStonesDunnCounty) as well as on Twitter and Instagram.
Join us as we celebrate 20 years of meandering through lovely local Dunn County gardens and meeting the generous and gifted folks who share their passion for creating delightful outdoor spaces!
What’s Happening at Stepping Stones in 2021!
Stepping Stones continues to be CLOSED to all Walk-Ins. Only staff & volunteers are permitted in the building. We thank you for your understanding. 
The Food Pantry is OPEN 3 days a week for curbside pick-up of pre-packed boxes/bags. Anyone in need of food is welcome!
Hours have not changed, just days — Monday: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Wednesday: 3– 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – Noon
Click here for updated Food Pantry information
IF YOU NEED OTHER HELP: If you need some other type of assistance or know someone who does, please call or email us: 715.235.2920 communityconnect@steppingstonesdc.org We will reply within one business day.
FINANCIAL DONATIONS: If you’d like to make an online donation, please click on the DONATE button above. You can also call us, and we can process a credit card over the phone; or mail your donation to: Stepping Stones, 1602 Stout Rd., Menomonie, WI 54751
Thank you for your support!
YOU SHOP.
AMAZON GIVES.
When you’re shopping online please use this Amazon Smile link to have 0.5% of your purchase donated directly to Stepping Stones! It couldn’t be easier to support Stepping Stones and we will all be smiling.
You can also make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app. Simply follow the instructions below to select “Stepping Stones of Dunn County Inc” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They’ll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works: 1) Open the Amazon app on your phone; 2) Select the main menu (=) & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features; 3) Select “Stepping Stones of Dunn County Inc” as your charity; 4) Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
Note: You must use the above link or the Amazon Smile link on Amazon.com—using the mobile app does not give you the option to donate.
