Imagine 150 different flavors of soda. Decisions, decisions, decisions. I like the fact that the old-time soda fountains are making a comeback. When I was in Eagle River, Wisconsin I had a great lunch and root beer float at Soda Pops. I passed on the ice cream but most people did not. There is a wide choice of ice cream with 70 topping to choose from. The soda shop is as
authentic as is possible today with an original soda fountain and other original items plus other vintage memorabilia. Soda Pops is housed in a restored 1880 building that was at one time a tavern. During prohibition it became a soda shop. It was a walk into my past when I spend a lot time in the soda fountain in my hometown. Around the corner is their retail store with a variety of vintage signs, bottles, and more plus
150 kinds of soda. They have the ones you have heard of such as cream soda and root beer but they also have a section called “Totally Gross Sodas.” They must sell a lot of them because the section was empty except for a few bottles of “Kittie Piddle” and “Bug Barf.” It turns out that the owner is the son of the owner of Riverstone Restaurant & Tavern where I had enjoyed a wonderful meal the night before.
While I was visiting the shops on the main street of Eagle River, John was exploring the Eagle River’s Chain of Lakes with Rohrs Wilderness Tours. The Headwaters of the Wisconsin River flows south from Lac Vieux Desert 40 miles downstream to Eagle River where it joins the magnificent Eagle River chain of lakes to become the mighty Wisconsin River. He didn’t do all 40 miles but said paddling the winding stream that flowed through forest was easy and very picturesque. He was on the lookout for wildlife. He didn’t see any. I wish I had gone. After the canoe adventure he went to a place that served ice cream, the Boat House Grill & Creamery where he, too, had a root beer float. Their theme is nautical. Some people enjoyed their ice cream while sitting in a boat.
Before meeting up with John I stopped by the Tribute Brewing Company where they have free popcorn and peanuts (just throw the shucks on the floor). We met at the Pirate’s Hidaway for a sunset ride on a pirate ship. Captain Steve built Northern Wisconsin’s only pirate ship in his driveway. The boat ride on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes was relaxing and even though the sunset wasn’t spectacular we did see a bald eagle. After the ride we headed to Eagle Waters Resort for a delicious dinner.
I am impressed with all the small towns in Vilas County. Eagle
River is the county seat and has about 1400 people that supported two homemade fudge stores. Impressive. All the towns have unique shops, restaurants, accommodations, and activities that seem to be thriving. I wish I could say the same for Northern New York. Yes, they have muskie fishing which is a big draw but we have excellent fishing in Oswego County, too. The county hosts a large variety of events year round. The county has so many art galleries that they host a Northwoods Art Tour twice a year.
When John and I were in St. Germain a friend suggested we go to
the Tea Academy at Green Rich Tea while our husbands went to the St. Germain Snowmobile Museum to learn about the history of snowmobiling and see a variety of snow vehicles. Great idea, I thought, I should be able to shine at a tea academy because I had been to Tea Appreciation Class in Hong Kong, a tea museum in Taiwan, and had visited tea plantations in Taiwan and Sri Lanka. I was wrong. The class
started out with “Tea in a Cup Game” to see if we could identify different teas. I didn’t get any of them right. Also I learned that different teas need to be heated to different temperatures. Shanna, the owner, explained that when people are enjoying tea together a little bit should be poured in each person’s cup then pour a second and third round until the cup is full. “It creates a sense of community,” she explained plus the first round is the weakest. I did better on the True and False quiz. I learned the most from the Multiple Choice part. Ice tea, my favorite beverage, was introduced at the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis. The
American Revolution had its start with colonial reaction to the tea tax but tea was first taxed in the 700s in China. By the way, the British attempt to tax tea coming into the Colonials was very small. It wasn’t the tax so much as being taxed without being represented in the British Parliament. How would the world be different if the British allowed colonial representation in the Parliament? I may not have done well on the
tests but I learned a lot and enjoyed wonderful tea in great company. I loved the story of Shanna and Noritake. They met on line. They were on different coasts and different worlds but Noritake’s Japanese historical connection to green tea and its health benefits meshed perfectly with Shanna’s view on healthy living that included yoga and massages. I think I should have opted for a massage but I had fun and learned a lot about tea.
I admire people like Shanna and Noritake who take the opportunity to follow their dreams. Also in St. Germain I met Shawn who opened up the Hammock Hut, which by the way opens at the “crack of noon.” Using repurposed material he makes unique hammocks perfect for every location from the college dorm to the backyard to the woods.
In Land O’Lakes I took another class in water color painting. It is part of the Land O’Lakes Artisans Center where there were an array of wonderful, handcrafted artworks and crafts on sale. While my birch tree watercolor wasn’t a show-stopper I enjoyed the interesting techniques by using razor blades and sponges to get the right effect. I need more lessons!
I may have felt like a fish out of water at the tea academy and the
watercolor painting class but I was right at home at the Northwood Children’s Museum in Manitowish Waters. The learning started outside with a Hundreds Chart on the sidewalk. Makes math fun. I was impressed with their unique activities including a mining tunnel, a listening tree, a snowmobile safety exhibit, and pioneer cabin. Most impressive was the fact that all the exhibits were made in-house.
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has inhabited Lac du Flambeau since 1745. The word Chippewa and Ojibway are one and the same. The Band was given the name “Lac du Flambeau” (Lake of the Torches) by the French traders and trappers who visited the area and saw them harvesting fish at night by torchlight. The reservation is checker-boarded with parts in three counties. On a recent trip to Wisconsin I took the self-guided “Walk in the Footsteps of the Elders” tour. They have a guided tour, too.
My first stop was at their tribal fish hatchery. Fishing is and has been an integral part of their culture. Working with the state of Wisconsin the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa study the fish population and restock reservation waters. The Lac du Flambeau Reservation has
260 lakes, 65 miles of streams, lakes and rivers, and 24,000 acres of wetlands including a 10-lake chain. The world's largest sturgeon to be speared was hauled in on the shores of Lac du Flambeau's
Pokegama Lake. It measured a whopping 7 feet and 1 inch, weighed 195 pounds and was 40 inches around. This world record fish is located in the George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center.
My next stop was the George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center to see the giant fish and to learn more about the Ojibwe. They are Eastern Woodland Indians similar to the Iroquois of New York State. In fact many have Oneida ancestry. The museum shows how they lived during the four seasons. I like the one that showed them ice fishing. The beautiful “Jingle
Dress” was decorated with small pieces of metal. I would love to see and hear a dance with someone wearing the dress. There are also displays of a French fur trading post, Ojibwe arts and crafts, and more. There is a birch bark canoe and a 24-foot dugout canoe recently recovered from the waters. I think that a canoe that large would have been a war canoe. We should all live by the Ojibwe Seven Teachings - Honesty, Humility, Truth, Wisdom, Love, Respect, and Bravery.
I have read about and seen pictures dealing with the schools the US government built to house Native American children but The Mikwendaagoziwag (“They will be remembered”) Heritage Center, once the boys’ dormitory for the BIA/Government-run boarding school, is the first one I have visited. The girls’ dormitory was located next door but has been torn down. It is where children were taken from their families
without permission and then immersed in European-American culture thus losing their culture. They were all taught English and while the boys were taught a trade the girls were taught housekeeping skills. While I think the intentions were good the biggest problem is that after the schooling was completed the students had a foot in two worlds – the Native American and American-European world but didn’t really belong to either.
Of course, to raise need money to provide a better life for their people they, too, have opened a casino - a great place to eat even if you don't gamble. support their people and aThe Indian Bowl is where pow wows have been held for more than 60 years; it is now undergoing an upgrade and expansion. I would love to attend an event there. Often there are reports about violations of personal liberties and the like that are taking place in foreign countries. We often choose to ignore the awful treatment the Native Americans suffered under the hands of the European-Americas.
John and I now have a new appreciation for cranberry sauce and jelly after visiting Vilas Cranberry Company in Manitowish. At Thanksgiving dinner the turkey is the main attraction and cranberry a tasty little extra. The next time you have an Ocean Spray cranberry product think of the Vilas
Cranberry Company in Manitowish County - one of the major suppliers. Wisconsin is the nation’s leading producer of cranberries, harvesting more the 60 percent of the country’s crop. The cranberry is the state’s official state fruit and one of three native fruits commercially grown in the United States. The pilgrims were introduced to the berry and its many uses by the Native Americans. Now it is an integral part of our Thanksgiving dinner.
On Fridays at 10 a.m. from July to late September Vilas Cranberry Company offers a tour where people can learn about the cranberry, how it is grown, harvested, and its health benefits. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow in water. They grow on low running vines in sandy bogs and marshes. The fields are flooded to make it easier to harvest them. The bog is flooded with up to 18 inches of water the night before the berries are to be harvested. A water wheel, nicknamed an “egg beater,” churns the water to loosen the cranberries from the vines. Each berry has a little pocket of air so they float. If the wind is right it will blow all the cranberries to one end of the field there they are vacuumed up and loaded into trucks to be transported to Ocean Spray.
Cranberries are not just for Thanksgiving. Cranberries are healthy. They have highest of all fruits in antioxidants which are thought to help support memory functions, coordination, and maintain a healthy immune system. Cranberries are cholesterol and fat free and low in sodium.
Cranberries are not the only unique aspect of Manitowish County,
Wisconsin. It is where a famous shootout between John Dillinger, Public Enemy No. 1, and the FBI took place in April 1934 and where the Johnny Depp film, “Public Enemies” was filmed. John Dillinger, “Baby Face” Nelson, and their cronies thought they could hide from the law, specifically the FBI, in the Northwoods. It didn’t work. Most likely Dillinger chose Little Bohemia Lodge as a “safe” house because he and the owner of the lodge, Emil Wanatka, shared the same lawyer. Resort owner Wanatka charged Dillinger $500 for the three-day stay which would be nearly $6000 in today’s standard. However, the reward for the capture of Dillinger was a whopping $10,000 – a lot of money in 1934. Wanatka waited until Dillinger paid him then
sent his wife to alert the FBI. FBI agents including Special Agent Melvin Purvis led a botched raid on the lodge. A full-blown gun battle ensued. Dillinger and his gang members escaped but even today there are hundreds of bullet holes in the walls as a reminder of the event. Two people were killed, an FBI agent and a Civilian Conservation worker who was mistaken for one of Dillinger’s gang. A few months later Dillinger met his end in Chicago. Today
visitors can dine at the lodge, check out the bullet holes, and see some memorabilia. The Dillinger Pontoon Tour gives a “behind the scenes” look at the event. It was depression time and Dillinger became a folk hero to Americans disillusioned with failing banks and an ineffective government.
Boulder Junction is called the “Muskie Capital of the World.”
What’s a muskie, you may wonder. “Muskie” or “Musky” is short for muskellunge, a large relatively uncommon freshwater fish native to North America. It is the largest member of the pike family. Muskies are highly sought after by fishermen because of their explosive strikes and rugged fights. If you want to catch a prize-winning muskellunge then Vilas County is the place
for you. Recently John and I were in Boulder Junction, one of the small towns in Vilas County, Wisconsin. John went muskie fishing but, alas, no muskies. John’s boat landed two fish while not far away a boat with three women caught 32 fish. John can attest to the fact that Vilas County has over 1300 lakes, 73 rivers and streams because he went on a flight-seeing plane ride – he didn’t count them but said the county is dotted with lakes. Even though no one caught a muskie people are sure to catch something. The county has some of the best smallmouth bass, walleye, trout, and pike fishing.
I am not into fishing so I explored Boulder Junction, just one of the
unique small towns in Vilas Co. Wisconsin. I was surprised at the number of shops displaying the work of talented artists within walking distance of my hotel, Boulder Bear Motor Lodge, with Buskus, a large taxidermied black bear, in the lobby
and live deer in the yard. My first stop was at Penny Mykytka’s shop. Her leather creations are a work of art. Check out her golf bag. She also has items on consignment and a caged Caribbean monkey that she and her husband take walking about town.
My next stop was Moondeer & Friends Gallery with European, Asian, and contemporary fine art from over 100 artists was great but I was most intrigued by the antiques used to hold
and display the artwork especially the huge 18th century dough box from a castle in Germany. For antique huntes there are a couple antique stores in the area. What was once a lumber company has been repurposed into shops including Firemouth Pottery where Bill Karafa’s displays his
work along with that of several other artists. The hand carved owls at Wiley Miller’s Art Gallery are so lifelike that I was waiting for one to blink. His work has been featured on magazine covers. Outside his son, Jeff, was carving a large bear with a chainsaw. I am amazed that anyone can do such great work with a chainsaw.
The Outdoorsman Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind eating place. I
decided I was on vacation so I could have one of my favorite foods for lunch – rhubarb pie! It was delicious and while eating I enjoyed watching the goat outside in what Amy Wheeler calls her “Miracle Farm.” Besides goats she raises chickens and rabbits she grows her own herbs. The restaurant features “farm to table” items made from scratch. One of the outside buildings is called the “wash house” because it was near the railroad tracks and during the lumbering days arriving lumberjacks could go to wash up.
The vitality of Boulder Junction is incredible considering the population is less than 1000. Most of the shop owners visited the area as children but spent most of their life in a city. They have decided to leave the stress of a metropolitan area for the serenity of Vilas County.
John and I enjoy visiting places that – to us – seem off the beaten path. The Fox Cities make up the third largest metropolitan area of Wisconsin. The small towns in the Fox Cities area have traditional main streets with a plethora of things to enjoy. Think of it as “life in a slow lane.” We stayed at the Holiday Inn and garnered points for future stays.
Here are some things to do:
1.Shopping: Looking for something new or something old or
something unique, then you will surely find it at the Fox River Mall called “Wisconsin’s Shopping Place” with more than 180 retailers, or the Harp Gallery dubbed “Wisconsin’s Best Antique Store,” or the unique shops in the downtowns of Appleton, Neenah, and Menasha.
2. Museums: The History Museum at the Castle has an excellent
hands-on Houdini exhibit that shares some of the great magician’s secrets. The Hearthstone House, which had the best of everything, was the first home in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity. The Museum of Glass has an impressive collection of paper weights – a personal favorite.
3. Science: The Barlow Planetarium is a world-class facility with
a 48-foot projection dome and star projector. Interactive keypads at each seat allows for audience participation in the shows. Next door is the Weis Earth Science Museum where visitors can learn about “The Restless Earth” with a focus on Wisconsin’s mineral heritage and mining history.
4. Nature: Enjoy nature on the eight miles of trails at the Gordon
Bubloz Nature Preserve. Or, hike the Red Bird Trail at High Cliff State Park located on the shores of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin’s largest inland lake. The hike features the Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird statue, a 40-foot observation tower, and panoramic views.
5. Chocolate: Chocolate sweetens any trip. Take a tour of the
family-owned Vande Walle’s Candies and don’t leave without trying the Angelfood Candy. At Wilmar Chocolate you can “Build Your Own Bar” by opting to include such unique ingredients as cayenne pepper, ginger and sea salt. Both confectioners are passionate about their quality products. John’s favorite.
6. Sports: Enjoy a baseball game at the Fox Cities Stadium, home
of the Timber Rattlers, a Class A minor league team where Alex Rodriguez made his debut. The High Cliffs Golf Course is just one place in the area to tee off. There is also the Appleton Family Ice Center, the Fox Valley Roller Rink plus boating and fishing.
7. Iconic Wisconsin: Wisconsin is renowned for cheese so no trip
is complete without a visit to Simon’s Specialist Cheese Store to try their cheese curds and chocolate cheese. To learn about the Wisconsin’s paper industry visit the Paper Discovery Center with many hands-on displays but don’t leave without making your one piece of paper.
8. The Arts: The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center presents
Broadway shows and other world-class shows in their state-of-the-art theater. Get in touch with your creative side at the Fire Art Studio where they offer pottery painting, jewelry making and more. The Trout Museum of Art has an eclectic mix of artwork.
9. Time out: Stone Cellar Brew Pub and the Appleton Beer
Factory both serve great locally made beer along with fun food. For oenophiles head to Kerrigan Brothers Winery and tour their wine making facility then relax on their patio. For unique dining experiences check out Ione’s Dining Room at Fox Valley Tech College and Vince Lombardi’s Steakhouse.
10.Special events: Check FoxCities.org for more information and
special events that range from Ladies Day Downtown complete with fashion show and freebies to Thursday Afternoon at the Movies to Iron Man Competitions.
Accommodations: There are many great places to stay including
the Best Western, Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn. Remember to sign up for their customer loyalty program for added benefits.
Harry Houdini, the world famous magician, claimed Appleton, Wisconsin as his home even though he was born in Budapest, so it is only right that Appleton’s Museum at the Castle, has a major Houdini exhibit.
When the Museum opened their current Houdini gallery it caused a flurry among magicians when it was revealed that the exhibit
would show how Houdini performed his famous metamorphosis illusion. Some magicians tried to stop the exhibit’s opening but the truth is that Houdini shared the secret of many of his magic tricks during his lifetime. Metamorphosis is where a person, often in a bag or chained, is placed in a locked trunk or large box, the curtain is closed and, with a “ta da,” seconds later the curtain opens to reveal that the person who was in the locked trunk has “magically” changed places with the magician. Houdini said, “What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes” The metamorphosis
display lets visitors preform the trick themselves albeit not with the speed and panache of Houdini. Houdini accomplished the illusion in three seconds. Even though the metamorphosis illusion became Houdini’s signature he didn’t invent it. Other displays share other secrets including how levitation was accomplished.
Houdini’s death was caused by a surprise blow to his abdomen
which may have ruptured his appendix. Even though he was in pain and against the advice of doctors he continued with his
performances and died a few days later of peritonitis brought on by the ruptured appendix. Before his death he and his wife, Bess, agreed that if he was able to communicate from the “beyond” he would send the message “Rosebelle believe.” Bess held séances on Halloween for ten years and initially claimed to have made contact but later said that it was not true and discontinued the séances saying, “Ten years is long enough to wait for any man.”
Other displays in the Museum at the Castle, an architectural gem, include a small one honoring Pulitzer Prize-winning Edna Ferber, author of “Giant” and “Showboat” and one about the infamous Senator Eugene McCarthy.
Another architectural gem in Appleton is the Hearthstone Historic
House built in 1882 with the best of everything. It was the first home in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity. There were no meters at the time so the electric company charged the owner, Henry J. Rogers, one dollar per bulb per month. There were about 50 bulbs each equivalent to four-watt bulbs that burned night and day. The average salary at that time was about a dollar a day. When the lights were turned on the local newspaper said it was “bright as day.”
The country's first hydroelectric central power station using the Edison system began its operation September 30, 1882. The generator was situated in the beater room of the Appleton Paper and Pulp Company which was run by Henry J. Rogers, Heathstone’s owner. Hearthstone's rare 1882 Edison light switches and electroliers still are in operation. It is possible that the Queen Anne-style Hearthstone house, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the sole surviving example of wiring and fixtures in their original location from the dawn of the electrical age.
Appleton in the Fox Cities area known as “Paper Valley” is also home to the Paper Discovery Center that explores the history of papermaking with many hands-on displays where visitors can make their own piece of paper.
Imagine 150 different flavors of soda. Decisions, decisions, decisions. I like the fact that the old-time soda fountains are making a comeback. When I was in Eagle River, Wisconsin I had a great lunch and root beer float at Soda Pops. I passed on the ice cream but most people did not. There is a wide choice of ice cream with 70 topping to choose from. The soda shop is as 
While I was visiting the shops on the main street of Eagle River, John was exploring the Eagle River’s Chain of Lakes with Rohrs Wilderness Tours. The Headwaters of the Wisconsin River flows south from Lac Vieux Desert 40 miles downstream to Eagle River where it joins the magnificent Eagle River chain of lakes to become the mighty Wisconsin River. He didn’t do all 40 miles but said paddling the winding stream that flowed through forest was easy and very picturesque. He was on the lookout for wildlife. He didn’t see any. I wish I had gone. After the canoe adventure he went to a place that served ice cream, the Boat House Grill & Creamery where he, too, had a root beer float. Their theme is nautical. Some people enjoyed their ice cream while sitting in a boat. 
