Cub Scouts participate in Pinewood Derby Event last Saturday

Fans cheer on as their favorite racecars pass the finish line. They clock in at 180, 190, and even above 200 miles per hour! Upon finishing, these cars come to a halt...by knocking into a plush cushion?

This isn’t NASCAR, but the young Cub Scouts who raced their Pinewood Derby cars last weekend sure felt like superstars. The Yahara New Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby was held on Saturday, November 7th, and both the designs of the cars and their speeds took center stage.

Representing a number of Cub Scout Packs in the region, these boys watched and cheered on their own cars as they went down the track. Computer technology helped ensure that each boy’s car was clocked in at the right speed, with many racers going above 190 mph (some even broke the 200 mph speed!).

Check out the images and videos below for an idea of what went down. Congratulations to all racers involved!

Head to the UW Arboretum for some great colors this fall -- before they disappear!

Fall weather means a lot of things to different people. It’s peak time for some sports fans, with the start of the World Series and football season really kicking into gear. It’s also a great time for others to enjoy Pumpkin Spice Latte’s if you’re into that sort of thing.

In Wisconsin, though, there’s one more added benefit: the change in the color of the leaves.

We’re just past the peak leaf change time, so you better get out this weekend if you hope to experience some amazing colors. What better place to do so than at the UW Arboretum.

I recently took a trip here and was just amazed by the brilliant colors I saw. (Click the pictures to enlarge)

The UW Arboretum has a storied history. It was begun as a project of the CCC during the Great Depression. Its development was led by Aldo Leopold, a famed conservationist in the Madison area and beyond.

With more than 1,200 acres of natural space, and a welcoming staff ready to answer any questions you throw at them, now’s the perfect time to go out and experience the changing of the leaves. Hurry though – the leaves will soon be gone!