Local products nominated for “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin”
For the City Times
STEVENS POINT – Each year, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) holds the “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” contest. Two local company products – Tapped Infused Maple Syrup and Worzalla’s Wimpy Kid Series – have been nominated for this year’s recognition.
Rep. Katrina Shankland (D- Stevens Point) nominated Tapped Infused Maple Syrup, owned by Jeremy and Abi Solin.
The Solin family has been making maple syrup in small batches for five generations, and currently makes and sells craft infused, barrel-aged, and pure maple syrup from sustainably managed forests in northern Wisconsin. They work with over 60 partners across Wisconsin and Minnesota, including coffee shops, cheese shops, bars, restaurants, gourmet food stores, caterers, bike shops, and gift stores who use or sell their maple syrups. Their infused maple syrups, in cardamom, cinnamon, espresso, ginger, ginseng, hibiscus, hops, red pepper, and turmeric, can be found in Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Plover, Appleton, Oshkosh, Antigo, Lake Tomahawk, Eau Claire, Minneapolis, and St. Paul.
“I am excited to nominate this phenomenal company for the title of ‘Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin,’” said Shankland. “Not only do the Solins make tremendous products, but they do so while prioritizing family, community, and respect for and connection to the land. I’m so proud of their growth and impact on many communities across Wisconsin, and encourage everyone to vote for their favorite Made in Wisconsin product!”
Worzalla has been nominated for its production of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, a No. 1 New York Times best-selling children’s book series authored by Jeff Kinney and published by Amulet Books. As the domestic manufacturing home of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid since 2007, Worzalla has printed millions of copies of each book in the series, most recently the 13th book, “Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal,” released in April 2019.
“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts to produce the beloved Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and proud to partner with Amulet Books on bringing this entertaining children’s book series to life for more than a decade,” said Jim Fetherston, president and CEO of Worzalla. “It’s thanks to our talented and dedicated associates that we are able to create these books to share with children across the country. We hope the local community will support us by casting their vote for Worzalla.”
Each new book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series requires about 40 million linear feet of paper, which when laid out end to end is 7,889 miles, roughly the distance from Stevens Point, WI, to Manila, Philippines. Additionally, each book requires about 450,000 pounds of ink and upwards of 7,500 man hours.
Voting for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest will opens Sept. 9. Individuals can vote once per 24-hour period through Sept. 15, for the initial voting round. Votes can be cast at madeinwis.com.
