FOREVER A BLUGOLD. Zorn Arena was Eau Claire's first arena, and even though it was demolished this summer to make way for a new chapter at UW-Eau Claire's campus, its memories are engraved in our community fabric.

Zorn Arena was officially torn down this summer, as were Kjer Theater, Brewer Hall, and part of the former Campus School at UW-Eau Claire. To some, this may seem like no big deal – another demolition/development in Eau Claire? What’s the big deal?

Glad you asked. When you flip to page 32 in the latest issue (or click here, for digital readers), you’ll start to understand. Penned by local sports buff and Volume One contributor Luc Anthony, this feature story and retrospective on Zorn – Eau Claire’s first arena – offers a healthy dose of local history, community, and school pride.

Over Zorn’s 70-plus-year lifetime, it was host to thousands of Blugold athletics events and games; speeches from presidential hopefuls; visits from icons including Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, Tony Bennett, and more; and live performances from the likes of Johnny Cash (1974), Smash Mouth (2001), and of course, Bon Iver.

Photographic evidence of the MHS Class of 2018's prank (shaking principal's hand while crossing the stage... and giving him marbles).

It was also host to Jesse McCartney, and me on the brink of tears, as he sang “Beautiful Soul” after pretending to end his show without doing so, and when my class graduated from Memorial High School (the latter is probably more important. Probably). As the class of 2018 seniors all shook the then-principal’s hand while crossing the stage, most of us left a marble in his hand, which he either had to fumble with or put into his pocket. (Hilarious no-harm-done prank, an inside joke between students and Zorn's walls, before we crossed the stage.)

My experiences at Zorn were fewer and further between than many people who live in or once called Eau Claire home, yet its absence is clear as day. For folks you’ll hear from in this feature story, memories of milestone victories and personal moments had within Zorn Arena are engraved in their minds. Those memories mean something, even when the building they were created in no longer stands.

As the story marks a heartfelt farewell to a longtime neighbor, hopefully it inspires you in some way – even if it’s just to wave a “hello” to your real-life neighbors. Take a beat and cherish your own communities. They're more important than ever these days.