Dec. 14, 2025
As Lee Enterprises discontinues Grouse Hollow Journal, VernonReporter.com proudly becomes the new home for Greg Koelker’s celebrated column.
VernonReporter.com is excited to announce that Greg Koelker, the acclaimed author of the local column “Grouse Hollow Journal”, will now share his beloved stories on our platform. For decades, Greg’s writing has captured the essence of rural life, the beauty of nature, and the traditions that bind communities together.
Greg began his career as a journalist with a passion for local storytelling, quickly earning recognition for his authentic voice and deep connection to the outdoors. His column became a fixture in Lee Enterprises publications, enriching readers’ lives with reflections on nature, heritage and life in a rural community.
Greg Koelker is a lifelong resident of the Driftless region and a proud member of the De Soto community. Deeply rooted in local traditions, Greg has long celebrated the people, places, and natural beauty of Vernon County through his writing. His ties to the De Soto area run deep, not only as a storyteller, but Greg’s commitment to community values and education shines through in his work, making Grouse Hollow Journal more than a column, it’s a reflection of the heart of rural Wisconsin.
Greg is a product of Southwest Wisconsin. He attended Commercial Art School at MATC and UW-PLatteville with a media and business focus. He began his career as a studio cameraman and production assistant at WKBT Channel 8 in La Crosse in 1973. He directed the noon news and the six and ten blocks occasionally and learned photography, shooting slides, filming commercials, shooting weddings, and eventually filming news footage. He attended UW La Crosse in 1986 with the goal of teaching. He did internships at Central High School, Logan High School, and Holmen High School and became a forensics coach at all three. Later, Greg taught at Holmen High School teaching English, Special Education and coaching Forensics. In 1990 he was hired at De Soto High School to teach English, Speech, Communication, Journalism and coach Forensics.
While at De Soto Greg started sending sports and school information and photos to the Vernon County Broadcaster. In late 1990 Pete and Mary Hollister asked Greg (and Ellen) if they would like to write an outdoors column. Later, Dean Bortz of the Wisconsin Outdoor News hired Greg to report about local conditions and events. From 1990 until just recently, Greg turned in hundreds of photos and local stories, and over 1600 Outdoors – renamed Grouse Hollow Journals some twenty years ago.
“We are thrilled to welcome Greg Koelker and his loyal followers to VernonReporter.com,” said VernonReporter.com Managing Editor Tim Hundt. “Greg’s work embodies the values of community, tradition, and storytelling that matter most to our readers. At a time when media outlets are pulling back from small communities and rural areas, we’re committed to giving readers more, not less.”
Starting immediately, “Grouse Hollow Journal” will be available on VernonReporter.com, ensuring Greg’s stories continue to inspire and connect readers who cherish the outdoors and rural life. Greg’s latest columns are already live on our page. Just click on the “Grouse Hollow Journal” tab on our homepage and read house latest “grousing”.
Great news. Congratulations to you both