The Rainbow's Hues News

After years of talking about this law, the Wisconsin legislature passed a smoking ban that includes hotels, motels, cabins, bars, and restaurants. Because of this law, all of Rainbow's End Resort's cabins are now no-smoking. Smoking is still allowed outside of the cabins and in the fish cleaning houses.

This new law includes many public facilities that have already invoked smoking bans, such as retail stores, malls, and many restaurants.

The legislative memo about this new law can be downloaded here (pdf). Fishing resorts are licensed as hotel/motel, and so fall under the "lodging" category of the State law.

The law officially goes into effect July 5, 2010, so you may still be able to smoke in taverns and restaurants if you visit Wisconsin before that date. Rainbow's End Resort, after consulting with cleaning staff, and considering the overall affects on guests, has chosen to make all our units non-smoking for the entire 2010 season. Many of our guests who smoke already only smoke outside. For those who do smoke indoors, smoking will no longer be allowed in the cabins or mobile homes. The fish cleaning houses meet the state requirements for air circulation and will be available for smoking.

We appreciate your cooperation with our no smoking policy.

Many of our guests come from areas that are already affected. We ask everyone to check your boats and trailers to prevent the spread of these and other invasive species. Your extra effort helps keep our fishery great for everyone.

Thank You !!

For those who prefer to pay cash, we are planning incentives in 2009 that will make this more worthwhile for you. For one merchant's view of how credit card work, click here. Our experience so far indicates that accepting credit cards will be an advantage both to our guests and to the Resort. For those who have patiently waited for this service, thank you for your patience!

If you use a portable outdoor fireplace with a cover and keep your fire small, you may have a fire at the Resort. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has ruled that no firewood may be transported into Wisconsin from out of state and that any firewood in Wisconsin cannot be transported a distance of more than 50 miles. As this includes most of our summer visitors, many of whom may not keep current on Wisconsin law, the WDNR has asked us to let you know about this ruling. We don't allow burning wood in our charcoal grills. Those who bring their own outdoor fireplaces should plan on getting wood locally. Kirkwood's in Chetek usually has bundles of firewood for sale in the summer.

A person born after January 1, 1989 and at least 16 years old may operate a motorboat only if he or she has completed a boating safety course accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

That means anyone 16 to 21 years old during their visit to Wisconsin in 2010 must have a certificate of training to operate a motorboat on Wisconsin waters.

If you rent a motor from the Resort, we are required to see your completion certificate before renting you a motor, if you fall in the age restrictions above.

You can take the course and be certified online before you arrive. More info.