This Could Mean You!
| ISSUE#2 | TheSevenSpot.com
Inspiring Generations
August 2015
Call to Artists
The Stewards of Local Trails
Doin’ the Dirty Work
|
Andy Hughes
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SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
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ENTERTAINMENT including... Grammy-nominee accordion artist Alex Meixner (two shows) Rock/Pop: The Dweebs, Johnny Holm Band, The Remainders, Pop ROCKS, Soapbox Project, Last Call Country: Trouble Shooter Polka/Variety: Jim Busta Band Oldies on Sunday Afternoon More than 25 bands on four stages over four days! Button Price Pre-Fest $7 | During Fest $10 Hats $20 | Children 12 & under: Free.
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SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
TRUCKED UP
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Inside
6 Urbanist 7 (Almost) Famous Locals
PUB INFO
8 The Arts
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About SEVEN explores the dynamic community, culture and arts world of the Seven Rivers Region.
10 Call to Artists
Contact Phone: 608-780-3853
12 Entertainment
Email: contact@thesevenspot.com
15 Family
Web: TheSevenSpot.com
Mail: PO Box 762, Onalaska, WI 54650 Facebook: TheSevenSpot
16 Limelight 18 Outdoors 21 Business
Twitter: @thesevenspot Support Advertising sustains the celebration of musicians, festivals, thespians, artists, and the vibrant community that calls the Seven Rivers Region home. Phone: (608) 780-3853 Email: michellejerome7@gmail.com
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22 Sip n’ Taste 24 Fitness 26 Listings 29 Volunteer Listings
A note
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30 Writer’s Block
from the publisher Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” These words of encouragement to take charge into the unknown bear several meanings. I find them applicable in the case of several volunteers and workers who have taken the initiative, often unprompted, to create physical trails through our forests and marshes. Our hiking and biking trails have connected thousands of people to nature and outdoor recreation throughout the Seven Rivers Region for decades. If it weren’t for these dedicated few, chances are locals wouldn’t know the serenity of a morning forest walk; children
wouldn’t have seen a jack-in-the-pulpit up close; mountain bikers wouldn’t have found a sense of pride when mastering their skill; nature enthusiasts wouldn’t have witnessed a rare glimpse at a Great Horned Owl. We took the opportunity to highlight some of our trail workers and volunteers in this issue. It is our delight to continually share stories of our innovators, makers and trailblazers…our Seven Rivers People.
This publication is printed monthly by Humble Mountain Press, LLC and distributed throughout the Seven Rivers Region. Readers are encouraged to verify event information with organizations and businesses directly. Humble Mountain Press, LLC does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials. Copyright 2015 by Humble Mountain Press, LLC. All rights reserved. All material, including artwork, advertisements, and editorial, may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
TheSevenSpot.com
I would like to dedicate this issue to my Robin and her Superman. Michelle
COVER
On the Cover Cover Photography by Riley Seebeck I am currently living in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and everything in my life pretty much revolves around bikes. I live in Colorado because of bikes; I build trails because of bikes; and I got into photography because of bikes…kind of. I love the biking community whether you’re a roadie, fixy hipster or downhiller. Bikers are who I want to surround myself with, and I capture these stories with my camera. I have been involved with La Crosse Freeride since its infancy. I wasn’t going to miss the first build day of the new pump track everyone has been working hard to have and build. We had always struggled to get volunteers to come and build for our projects, and to see this abundant pile of trail tools lying on the fresh cut ground was epic! There wasn’t a single tool left lying on the ground. And two days later, tires hit the dirt!
Riley Seebeck Photographer at FlowPhotoCo
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Olivia Parshall Writer
Briana Rupel Writer
Michael Scott Writer
Lee Walraven Writer
Sara Walters Writer
James Warsinske Writer
Brett Werner Writer
Todd Wohlert Writer
Deborah Nerud Writer
A.J. Moore Writer
Andrew Londre Writer
Jason Keeney Crew Chief & Graphic Designer
Ryan Johnson Writer & Photographer
Michelle L. Jerome Crew Captain
Joe Hart Writer
Heidi Griminger Blanke, Ph.D Writer
Bob Good Photographer
Beth Erickson Writer
Dahli Durley Photographer
Joerg Droll Writer
Becca Dargatz Writer & Calendar Editor
Tegan Daly Writer
Leah Call Copy Editor & Writer
Chad Berger Photographer
The CREW
The local talent dedicated to bringing you a fresh look at our region.
MISC
URBANIST
SEVEN RIVERS RECAP
By: Andrew Londre
RETHINKING SMALL CITY TRANSPORTATION photo: Nathan Barnhart Nic Willaims and Wesley Barnhart showed their excitement to see President Obama during his visit to La Crosse.
photo: Mario Youakim
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Beer By Bike Brigade took a different route in July...hundreds of bicyclists rode critical-mass style over the Cass Street Bridge.
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W
hile many commuters have been cursing the road construction in downtown La Crosse—which by the way, is merely a sign that La Crosse is a great city, growing greater— a much bigger discussion about the broader transportation future of the region has been going on. If you’re not familiar with the perennial transportation drama in La Crosse, the gist is this: In the 1990s the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) pushed a controversial measure, supported by local business interests and officials from surrounding suburbs, to curb what they perceived as traffic problems in the City of La Crosse. Their proposed solution was to build a new highway through the Marsh. That didn’t sit well with La Crosse residents, who resoundingly rejected the idea through a referendum. The issue lay dormant until 2014 when DOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb threatened to pull $140 million in funding for road work due to what the state described as a lack of local consensus. Then the DOT basically said, you get one last shot at this money. Which brings us to today. The Wisconsin DOT is in the midst of a lengthy planning process to decide how to use the funding, if not for a new road. So do we have consensus? Not exactly. In many ways, the same players are lining up in the same positions as they did in the 1990s. The DOT, business and suburban interests are focused on efficiently and safely moving goods and people in and out of the city, though they have mostly abandoned hope for a new north-south corridor. La Crosse residents want something else. But here’s where things get interesting. Earlier this year, residents of La Crosse went a step further than they did in the 1990s. Recently the City of La Crosse, with input from residents, published an allencompassing city transportation vision, which deprioritizes conventional outcomes such as “high speed roads, high levels of service for motorists, abundant and low-cost automobile parking, and fighting congestion through road widening.” Instead the priority is on “safety, walkability, bike friendliness, access, slower driving speeds, few vehicle-miles-traveled, complete streets, and beauty.” So how can we expect these funds to be used? Nothing is set in stone at this point, but a few themes are emerging. Thankfully—if you ask me—we won’t see recommendations for a new road through the Marsh or widened roads in the city itself. But according to those familiar with the DOT’s plans, widening of Highway 16 between Onalaska and La Crosse to six lanes is a near guarantee. Other likely improvements include redesign of the city’s most congested and unsafe intersections – most likely into roundabouts, which are many times safer and more efficient at moving traffic. But the process is not done yet. Want to learn more and share your opinion? Head over to one or both of these websites www.grandrivergreatcity.com (City Planning) and http://wisconsindot.gov/.
Andrew Londre wears many hats-currently serving on eight local, regional and national boards, with a focus on neighborhoods and urban revitalization. Andrew started a number of new organizations and initiatives-most recently La Crosse SOUPand has worked in many sectors: government, nonprofit, cooperatives and small businesses. In 2014, he was honored as a NextCity Vanguard. photo: Bob Good 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court decision of the landmark case, Obergefell v. Hodges.
Have feedback? Share your thoughts on the Urbanist with the SEVEN Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/TheSevenSpot.
FAMOUS LOCALS
et h
Er ick son
(Almost)
: B to o ph
CASEY PETERSON
“There’s a lot of wasted space in cities that could be turned into food plots,” says Peterson. “Produce grown and consumed hyper-locally
helps strengthen the local economy, cuts back on fossil fuel use due to transportation and benefits the health of the community.”
Lifelawn Gardens currently has four gardens, totaling approximately 1/8 of an acre, which Peterson hopes to double next year. The gardens
range in size from about 500 to 3,000 square feet. In exchange for the space, Peterson gives landowners a weekly portion of the produce—such as lettuce varieties, kale, arugula, radishes, carrots, scallions, tomatoes, peppers and beets—grown at all plots. The rest is sold at the Cameron Park Market, along with homegrown microgreens, leafy vegetables that are dense in nutrients due to early harvesting. Eventually, Peterson hopes Lifelawn Gardens will have one acre of local urban land. Additional goals include selling to local restaurants and doing community outreach. “I want to help kids that are completely disconnected from the reality of where their food comes from, who are grossed out by eating vegetables fresh-picked from the garden,” he says. “I’d like to help expose our community’s youth, and adults for that matter, to the lessons that can be found in gardening.”
Beth Erickson loves digging in the dirt and harvesting produce with her family. She is owner of Jobe Communications, LLC, a magazine and book editor, writer, and poet. You can see one of her poems in the sidewalk in downtown La Crosse.
Peterson’s urban gardening commitment began when a girlfriend’s home-cooked meals piqued his interest. “When we broke up, I had to decide to go back to exclusively eating fast food or learn how to cook. I chose the latter and that led me down the rabbit hole of learning about healthy food,” he says. He learned just how disconnected he
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www.backandbrain.com photo: Bob Good
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
C
While working as a server at the Freighthouse Restaurant, he continued to hear the call of the land. So, this past winter, inspired by successful urban gardeners like Curtis Stone and Luke Callahan, Peterson completed a business plan for Lifelawn Gardens. With little overhead and low startup costs, it was easy to launch. Peterson doesn’t pay for the land and has less land to farm, so he can use space more effectively and spend less on machinery. He also uses sustainable practices. Though not certified organic, he doesn’t use chemicals and chooses only organic seeds and amendments.
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
asey Peterson grew up eating fast food and frozen dinners and thinking food originated in grocery stores. Today, the 28-year-old La Crosse native is the owner of Lifelawn Gardens (www. lifelawngardens.com), a multi-location urban farming business that rents land from homeowners to grow vegetables for local distribution.
was from his food while volunteering for a local, small-scale organic farmer. “I remember how shocked I was when [the farmer] pulled a carrot out of the ground and ate it, dirt and all,” he says. Yet it wasn’t until interning at a Minnesota organic farm that he learned the hard truth about farming—it’s lonely and costly work. Then, Peterson explains, “I put farming aside as a career option, because I had no clue how I’d be able to afford to buy land and equipment to get started.”
By: Beth Erickson
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THE ARTS
photo: Bob Good
ANDY HUGHES at Home in the Local Music Scene
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Article: Briana Rupel
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s a football player at La Crosse’s Central High School, Andy Hughes was given one assignment the summer before his senior year: Check out a football and get some practice in. “I went and checked out a Frisbee,” Hughes confesses. “So it was like the writing’s on the wall,” he smiles, “I was gonna play music.” Now lead guitar and vocalist for La Crosse’s lauded reggae band, TUGG, Hughes has played around the country with the likes of Slightly Stoopid and The Wailers—as in Bob Marley and the Wailers. You might assume he was strumming guitar on a sandy beach before even getting out of diapers, but that’s not the case for Hughes, who didn’t grow up playing any instruments at all. In fact, he could barely sing.
But growing up in the ‘90s, Hughes developed an appreciation for the music saturating the decade: gangsta rap, grunge and alternative rock. When he discovered Bob Marley and developed a love of reggae, he knew somehow he had to be a part of the music scene. Getting started “I was always a writer of short stories,” Hughes says, “which then turned into free-verse and poetry.” So when he and three other classmates formed their high school band, Lucid Evolution, it made sense for Hughes to write the lyrics and then (attempt to) sing. “We had kind of a funk, Chili Peppers sound,” he explains. “I could sort of rap, so I took that approach, and then it just evolved over time. Plus, my mom’s
a really good singer, so I figured I had to have something somewhere,” he laughs. The group started selling out shows at The Warehouse, and that’s where Hughes started making connections with other local musicians. Soon they were all collaborating and playing shows every Thursday at a downtown house party, where Hughes was able to hone his guitar-playing skills. This was the heart of the scene just over a decade ago in La Crosse, a musicalfamily scene Hughes credits as the genesis of both TUGG and jam-band favorite Smokin’ Bandits. “We were young and didn’t have anything else to do besides throw parties and make music,” he laughs. Over a decade later, though the focus of the original players has shifted from
becoming rock stars to raising families, the music scene in La Crosse hasn’t died by any means; it’s just evolved. Hughes cites the thriving La Crosse metal and hip-hop scenes as proof. “There is some cool stuff going on,” he assures, “and the old guys need to hear the new guys who are doing it, because it makes us step up our game; you can get complacent over the years.” Mentoring the next generation Recently, Hughes was inspired by some very new musicians, via the Guitar Academy program at the Boys and Girls Club. His dad, who’s on the board, spearheaded the idea. For a span of eight weeks, eight local, established musicians taught a small group of
The Boys and Girls Club Guitar Academy Stars
photo: Andy Hughes
photo: Bob Good
From left to right: Backrow (standing)- Addy, Emelia, Jaborious, Chris, Frontrow (sitting): Marley, Julie concert, two girls even performed solo: one playing a song from pop artist Pink, and the other performing an original she had written on her own. “I told the director, ‘I got more out of this than [the kids] did!’” Hughes gushes. “It was too cool.” Of course, Hughes was also touched by the generosity of local music stores that provided guitars and tuners, and by the other musicians who selflessly donated their time. “A lot of the artists who have been out playing shows and traveling, spent their time with the youth in this area, to try and share something that we’ve all fallen in love with, and see if we can’t get them excited,” says Hughes. “That’s
what will sustain artist communities. It has to start with the youth.” Here to stay Considering the area’s booming, youthful music community, one begs the question: Why stay in La Crosse? “There was a time in our musical endeavors,” Hughes admits, “where we thought, ‘Oh, we should be based out of The Cities or move to California.’” “But I think we did a good job at establishing us and our sound to the Midwest,” he explains. “We don’t sound like the California bands. We had a sound, and the musicians around us shaped what we played.” Hughes remains optimistic about the
future of the La Crosse music scene. “There are three colleges and tons of talented people; the creativity is here,” he states. “I don’t see any move for me.” Briana Rupel is a born and bred Wisconsinite. She is continually inspired by the Seven Rivers Region’s natural beauty, the talent of its local musicians and the stories of everyday people.
A 2013 photo of Andy and his oldest daughter Marley in the studio during the recording of the Mazes album. photo: Andy Hughes
GO: Don’t miss Andy Hughes and Tugg at the following venues: People Fest, Hillsboro, WI, Aug. 8 Labor Day Luau, Huck Finn’s, 127 Marina Dr., La Crosse, WI, Sept. 6 The band members of TUGG photo: Bob Good
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
children ranging in ages from 8 to 14, with limited or no guitar skills. Hughes was blown away by how quickly the children learned. After only a couple of weeks into lessons, the board wanted to see how the children had progressed, so Hughes went in with a couple of students and they played Bob Marley’s “Stir it up”. “I’m sitting next to them playing,” he explains, “and it was just like sitting down with any other musicians. They just rocked it.” Hughes became so excited by the kids’ progress, he started showing up every week. By the end of the eightweek session, not only did the group perform three full songs at their final
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s t s i t r A Call to [art]ifact
Local artifacts inspire fresh art
Pedal, Ink.
Bike-Themed Art with a Wisconsin Flavor
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Article: Tegan Daly
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In the 10 years I’ve lived in La Crosse, I’ve observed a gradual but steady increase in the number of bicycle riders in the area, and in bicycle awareness in general. I remember making facetious plans with friends in college to go out under the cover of night and paint our own bike lanes on the streets, since the city wouldn’t do it for us. Of course, none of us were ever gutsy enough to carry out that plan, but fortunately, thanks to the growing number of bicycle enthusiasts, the city did finally catch on. Now many streets are painted with bike sharrows and a few even have bike lanes. The advance of La Crosse’s bicycle movement is evident in other ways including Bike to Work Week, the La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival, Beer By Bike Brigade and now the first annual Pedal, Ink. pop-up art show. The show, which takes place on November 7, will feature Wisconsin-inspired, bikethemed poster art from local artists. Pedal, Ink. is modeled after the highly successful international poster art show, ARTCRANK. Artists will produce 26 prints of one work of art: one print to exhibit at the show and 25 to sell. Artists pay a $25 entry fee which reinvested in the community to promote and support other bike-related events. All profits from the print sales go straight into the artists’ pockets. And here’s some more great news: Prints will be sold for just $20, making this an art show accessible
to all income levels. A solid line-up of local artists has already agreed to display their art for Pedal, Ink., but there are still openings! Event organizers are looking for art that captures the essence of bicycling in Wisconsin. Because the show is posterthemed, screen printing or letter press are ideal, though high-quality prints of other art forms may be considered. For those who are not artistically inclined but still want to contribute, volunteers are needed to help set up and run the event. Pedal, Ink. will be held on the third floor of Pearl Street Brewery on November 7 from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Artists are invited to submit their work to [art]ifact, an exhibition that blends community history and art. The exhibit, originally conceived by three University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) students, will showcase local historical artifacts from the La Crosse County Historical Society’s collection and new original artwork from area artists inspired by these objects. During the 2015-16 school year, students in UW-L Assistant Professor of History Ariel Beaujot’s classes, HIS 300 [art]ifact and HIS 300 Exhibition Design, will choose 15 artifacts that were made in La Crosse and represent the community’s diverse history. Then, a jury from the Pump House Regional Art Center in La Crosse will select 15 artists who will use those artifacts as inspiration to create new artwork for the exhibition. Historic artifacts and corresponding new artwork will be displayed side by side at the Pump House exhibit in spring 2016. The project is a team effort between the Pump House Regional Arts Center, the La Crosse County Historical Society and UW-L’s History Department. “[art]ifact will show our accomplishments as a community historically and today,” says Beaujot. Along the way UW-L students learn to be experts at artifact analysis and research, public relations, curatorial work and educational programming to move the project forward. “To do a project like this, you have to have a community that believes in its students,” says UW-L Senior Ariel Reker, one of the project leaders. Reker says that community support was first apparent when she and two other students presented the original
project idea to classmates, faculty and community organizers as a capstone project in 2013. “We thought we’d do the presentation and we’d be done,” says Reker. “But after we finished, I had so many community members come up and say, ‘We like this, and you need to make it happen.’” La Crosse’s history includes a long and varied manufacturing past representing everything from buttons to cigars to women’s undergarments. “It’s so interesting—it’s been like a scavenger hunt—contacting person after person after person to find out more details about each item,” says Callie O’Connor, a UW-L senior working on the curatorial end. Are you an interested artist? The deadline for artists to submit their work is September 15, 2015. Submission details are available at art-ifact.org. Three prizes will be awarded to artists who present the best connection, best transformation and best renewal. Are you a community member interested in participating in this class? For more information see: www. uwlax.edu/conted/art-ifact/ or contact Briana Meuer, 608-785-6513 or bmeuer@uwlax.edu
Tegan Daly is a fun-lovin’ poet who lives in La Crosse and participates in poetry readings throughout the region. She can often be found in gardens, kayaks and coffee shops.
MORE INFO: Phone: Robbie Young, 262-689-7050, or Mario Youkim, 608-397-5078 Email: pedalinklax@gmail.com Twitter: pedal_ink Facebook: facebook.com/PedalInkLaX
Public and Policy History major Ariel Reker (left) with La Crosse Historical Society’s Peggy Derrick at the La Crosse Historical Society. The project will bring more La Crosse Historical Society artifacts into public display at a time when their physical presence in the community is limited.
OLIVIA BELLAND By: Michael Scott
Ready for a Night at the Improv? Featuring: You
Article: James Warsinske
Auditions!
Give it a try! After you watch an improv show, you may even want to try it yourself. I promise you will not regret it. You’ll find that you’re in a safe environment, where there are no wrong choices and everyone in the room is rooting for you to trust in yourself. You may even discover a brave, funny, creative spirit that you may not have realized was in you all along.
Live from La Crosse
LCT offers a great way to try improv, free of charge, with the opportunity to learn from a performer with decades of experience. The Webernauts hold open rehearsals at the Weber Center on Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. You are under no obligation to perform. Chuck Charbeneau, a veteran performer who has gone through professional training and is a wonderful mentor, will guide you on the life-changing journey of improv. Check it out. It’s a safe way to test the waters. If you’re interested in performing, Coulee Region Unscripted will hold auditions for Creature Feature on August 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the gallery at The Pump House. No experience is required for long form improv, although some sort of stage experience is a plus. As long as you have an interest in scary movies or monsters and can commit to the rehearsal process, you will learn everything you need to be a valuable cast member. There are only two or three rehearsals per week, and this is a professional gig. Performers will be paid a share of the show’s net profit. Need more information? Check out the Webernauts on Facebook or go to LaCrosseCommunityTheatre.org. For more information about Coulee Region Unscripted, check out their Facebook page.
Jim Warsinske usually introduces himself as, “Hi, I’m Jim from Sign Pro.” He enjoys talking about fonts and colors for hours—seriously, avoid him at cocktail parties. And he loves performing improvisation.
If you have wanted to write and perform comedy sketches, there’s an opportunity to try it locally. The sketch comedy group, “LIVE! from La Crosse,” is looking to add two or three members to its ensemble. The group writes its own sketches and meets primarily on Sunday afternoons, outside of show week. In addition, they will hold auditions this fall for five roles in the upcoming original production of ”The Season,” which will run at the Pump House Regional Arts
photos: Theresa Smerud We are flush with talented young actors in our community thanks to a number of excellent training venues including the Community Theatre and annual visits from the Missoula Children’s Theatre. This touring theatre from Missoula, Montana, comes in and, remarkably, within one week casts and produces a full production made up entirely of young local actors. Additionally La Crosse is home to Camp Creative, a week-long theatre camp that takes place every summer at Viterbo University. Young thespians also develop their talent with the help of theatre professionals at the SOTA charter schools, Aquinas and The Pump House Regional Arts Center. Twelve-year-old Olivia Belland is a prime example of the quality and professionalism you get with young actors in our community. She will be in seventh grade at Aquinas Middle School in the fall. Last year, Belland was cast as Jane Banks in La Crosse Community Theatre’s production of Mary Poppins. She shared the role with Darcy Reimier to shoulder the long 14-show run. Since the children in this production truly drive the action and are rarely offstage, Artistic Director Greg Parameter wisely double cast the roles of Jane and Michael Banks. Sitting with Belland in McCaffrey’s coffee shop to discuss her experience in Mary Poppins, I couldn’t help but be impressed. She spoke of the joy of working with the cast, particularly Karla M. Hughes, who played Mary Poppins. Hughes is a singer/ vocal faculty member at Viterbo University, and she used her teaching skills to assist the young actors. “She made memorizing the lines and the songs into a game, which made it a lot easier,” says Belland with a smile. In the process, she learned some additional skills. “First, you learn to be on time. When you are cast, you are given a job and being on time is very important,” notes Belland. “You learn active listening. There are lots of changes in a play. From the first day to tech week, there are many changes in blocking and choreography, and you have to be tuned in at all times.” Asked if she had any advice for young people wanting to try theatre for the first time, Belland replies, “Audition. And keep auditioning. You may not get a part the first time you audition, but keep trying. You get better every time you put yourself out there.”
Michael Scott is a freelance writer and advertising copywriter. He is the creator and voice talent for Rose Jewelers “Rose Files” radio campaign and the host of The Old School Variety Show.
Center in May 2016. Available roles are for three women in their early 20s, including a lead role; one man in his early to mid-20s; and one man of any age. Audition materials will be provided. Find more information at the LIVE from La Crosse Facebook page.
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
Next time you’re looking for entertainment, consider going to see performers who have no idea what they are going to do as they go on stage. I personally recommend it. Improvisation can be a great night of laughs and so much more. Most people don’t know that there are actually two kinds of improvisation: short form and long form. When you mention improv, most people think of Who’s Line Is It Anyway? with lots of short scenes and different rules: That’s short form improv. In long form improv, the actors get a suggestion from the audience, and then perform for 25 to 45 minutes, doing scene after scene to tell a story. La Crosse offers multiple improv options. The Webernauts, sponsored by the La Crosse Community Theatre (LCT), are an improv troupe that performs at local events to represent LCT. They also host a festival in January that celebrates local sketch and improv troupes. Coulee Region Unscripted is another troupe that focuses on long form improv. They have a performance titled “Creature Feature” coming up in October at The Pump House. For this performance, they get a suggestion for an unusual monster then improvise a complete monster movie based on that suggestion.
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ENTERTAINMENT Greg
Duprees and Fayme Rochelle & the Waxwings. He is a Grammy award winner from his work with Bill Miller. When he’s not making magic on a set of drums, he’s the go-to guy at Leithold’s Music. A dentist in his civilian life, Tom Gibbons’ job with BBO is lead guitar, bass and vocals.
Tom
A LOCAL LEGENDS REUNION Blind Baby Olin and the Workbenches
Article: Joerg Droll Photos: James Lunde
Kit
O
ne of the area’s most legendary bands formed 30 years ago. Since their heyday in the eighties, they’ve chosen different paths in life, but they could never quite shake the music. Now, after successful careers, families and three decades, Blind Baby Olin and the Workbenches are back together on Jerry Garcia’s birthday to relive and revive the music that has fused them together all these years.
Terry
Tj
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Cody
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Hans
Two original members who’ve been lost to BBO are DuWayne Lesperance and Joe Mengel. Unfortunately DuWayne has passed on, and Joe sought new adventures somewhere in Asia. To fill the gaps these two left, a couple of newbies joined Blind Baby Olin. Cody Appel, musician, master of ceremonies, producer about town and cousin to Hans and Kit, plays keyboards and sings. Cody was a professional fisherman but now manages boats and booze. On sax and flute, Greg Belfany adds the wind instruments to BBO’s line up. Greg is a retired music professor at UW-La Crosse, where he taught generations of fine musicians. Along with being BBO’s spiritual advisor, TJ Peterslie plays harmonica. TJ is man of many talents and the owner and creator of Cheddarheads, The Pearl and the Grand Hotel Ballroom in La Crosse. “We are thrilled to play on Jerry Garcia’s birthday on August 1st at the Trempealeau Hotel,” says Kit Mayer. “I’m certain quite a bit of the incredible music Jerry created for the Grateful Dead will find its way into our set list.”
Joerg Droll is a freelance writer from Germany. Prior to moving to the United States, he spent 20 years at various men’s lifestyle publications working his way up from intern to managing editor at the German editions of magazines like Playboy, Men’s Health, GQ and MAXIM.
BBO’s first gig was on Halloween Night in 1985. The original members were: Kit and Hans Mayer, Terry Nirva, Tom Gibbons, DuWayne Lesperance and Joe Mengel. More recent additions include Cody Appel, Greg Belfany and TJ Peterslie.
GO:
Kit Mayer, guitar and main vocalist, is actually the guy that carries the nickname Blind Baby Olin. A theatre scenery and lighting designer, he is the resident set designer at the Commonweal Theater Company, a member of the design/tech faculty at Viterbo University and a freelance designer throughout the region. Otherwise he farms.
Where: Trempealeau Hotel, 11332 Main Street, Trempealeau, WI www.trempealeauhotel.com
Kit’s brother Hans plays bass, mandolin and sings. Hans is currently a semi-retired musician performing and recording original songs for both adults and children. Percussionist Terry Nirva plays with a variety of bands including Howard Ludtke, The Shuffling
What: Blind Baby Olin & the Work Benches
Tickets: $6 advance online, $10 day of show When: August 1, 8 p.m.
Viroqua’s 219 Drinkery boasts hand-crafted mixology, local ingredients and a love for ping-pong
Article: Joe Hart
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t’s Friday night in Viroqua, Wis, population 4,300. Main Street is sleepy. But laughter and light spill from one historic storefront. Inside, a crowd quaffs craft cocktails and nods their heads to live music, while a foursome takes their turn at a ping-pong table. Welcome to the 219 Drinkery— one of the unique entertainment options in this extraordinary small town. Like many businesses, this one was born from its founders’ passions: top-shelf liquor and ping-pong. The concept for the Drinkery is pretty much that simple: a once-a-week gathering devoted to great cocktails and games. It’s an idea that was born some years ago in the backyard of Sierra Bayly, says the Drinkery’s bar manager, Jessica Hooper. “Sierra was hosting a ‘popup bar’ once a week, and it was a big success,” she says. “She’s really interested in small distilleries and homemade mixers— very high-quality liquors paired with local farm-to-bar ingredients. That was the inspiration.” Bayly (who has since moved to California) and Hooper both worked for caterer Dani Lind, whose business, the Rooted Spoon, operates out of a former restaurant space in downtown Viroqua and uses local and organic ingredients. When a rare liquor license came up for grabs in the city, Lind
saw the opportunity to make Bayly’s concept official. “Catering is our business,” says Lind. “The Drinkery is for fun.” Drink prices hover around $8. To make a typical bar profit, says Lind, she’d need to charge double that. For Lind, however, it’s about more than profit. “I have always really loved cocktails, but I’m really picky about my booze. I hate drinking cheap booze, and I’m not a beer drinker. Here in Viroqua, you can find okay liquor—but not the mixers. So I can get a top-shelf gin or a Jameson, but that’s about as fun as it gets. Which isn’t very fun.” A recent sampling of their spring drink menu gives a sense of what Lind and her staff find fun: The “Grapefruit Sage Derby” features homemade grapefruit bitters, fresh sage and locally sourced maple syrup paired with Redemption’s Kentucky rye whiskey; the “Baslägret” mixes Boreal cedar gin from Duluth, Minnesota’s Vikre distillery with locally sourced rhubarb and Cristalino brut cava. This formula—a focus on craft distilleries, homemade mixers and locally sourced ingredients—makes for an ever-changing sampler menu that keeps customers coming back to try new flavors. For Hooper, concocting enticing mixes is part play, part art. “Every cocktail is like a story. What are the right combinations that encourage the ingredients to show off, to be more like themselves? That’s the fun part. It’s like making a stew.” The driving factor, she says, is seasonal ingredients. “When there are fresh red currents available for two weeks, we’re making red current drinks.” And the ping-pong? “I needed someplace to set up my table,” says Lind. For years she’d hosted a pingpong night every Wednesday in her barn. “It was fun, but we just got too busy. People wouldn’t show up until 9, and on a farm you need to go to bed by 9.”
Joe Hart is a writer, editor and musician based in Viroqua, WI. He is the senior editor of Public Art Review, and has written for numerous publications including Utne Reader and Experience Life. His old-time country duo, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, performs nationally.
We promote local farmers, cooperative businesses & small producers to support a food econcomy that embodies our highest values.
GO: What: 219 Drinkery, a once-a-week cocktail party featuring ping-pong, craft liquors, homemade local mixers, as well as beer, wine and soda Where: Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table event space; 219 South Main Street, Viroqua, WI When: Every Friday night 7 p.m. to Midnight
Jillian & Adam of Small Family Farm
609 N Main St Viroqua 608.637.7511 viroquafood.coop
OPEN DAILY 7am-9pm
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
A WEEKLY COCKTAIL PARTY
Today, the ping-pong keeps popping until midnight, when the Drinkery closes, and Lind says it’s a vital ingredient in the once-a-week cocktail party. “It’s part of the experience,” she says. “And because it’s only open one day a week, it makes it fun and clubby. It feels special, like a carnival.”
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ENTERTAINMENT
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
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n the age of streaming and digital downloads, it’s easy to gain entry to many musical worlds. But to actually see talented, original artists and witness live, intimate shows? Not quite as easy. “There’s so much access to music, but so little of it is close access to artists,” shares Dave Schipper, twotime chairman of the Great River Folk Festival (GRFF). “Our fest gets you close to the artists.” Held at Riverside Park in La Crosse, GRFF—a community celebration of music, crafts, dancing, food, and traditional and contemporary folk culture—allows attendees to get up close and personal with new acts and old favorites. Newbies for the August event include children’s entertainers Nickey Fynn and Fah, Pump House favorite Beth Wood, the Springsteenlike Cory Chisel and high-energy string band Runaway Dorothy. Old friends include Peter Ostroushko, Dean Magraw, Susan Werner and David Stoddard. “Music is going on all the time, and you will have choices for workshops to attend,” says Schipper. “We make it simple. Come down for the day pass, fall in love with the artists and buy an evening concert ticket.” But it’s not just the music you’ll love about GRFF, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. You can shop the craft fair, which features everything from pottery and wood work to jewelry and sculptures--all original and all handmade by selected artisans. Or you can sample the food. Offering crepes, coffee and cool local treats, the vendors provide a mix of ethnic and traditional eats. A sponsorship new to the event this year also enables attendees to explore its river namesake on the La Crosse Queen for a discounted price. If you buy a ticket to GRFF, you’ll get $4.00 off a cruise or if you take your family on a cruise, you’ll get $4.00 off your festival ticket. “We recommend people take the Friday pizza cruise that ends just in time for you to watch a local favorite, String Ties, open for Susan Werner,” adds Schipper. Setting up camp near the river is fitting for the Great River Folk Festival, which moved two years ago from the UW-La Crosse campus, where it was started 37 years prior by Professor Fred Starner. The abundance of space, the amenities provided by sponsors and the ability to obtain a liquor license—adding Pearl Street Brewery and Elmaro Vineyard to the event—has helped solidify the celebration at Riverside for Schipper and GRFF attendees. Referring to a “cool Americana music lineup,” Schipper is excited about “attracting new listeners to fantastic musicians.” One way GRFF does this, he explains, is through a
GREAT RIVER FOLK FESTIVAL 40th Anniversary Celebration!
Article: Sara Walters
GO: August 28-30 Friday Opening Concert: 7:30 p.m. Featuring Susan Werner and String Ties Saturday Daytime Activities: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. • Traditional arts and craft fair • Craft demonstrations • Children’s activities • Food vendors • Music performances and workshops Saturday Evening Concert: 5 p.m. Featuring Runaway Dorothy, Peter Ostroushko & Dean Magraw, Jillian Rae, Cory Chisel and Luray Sunday Daytime Activities: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. • Traditional arts and craft fair • Craft demonstrations • Children’s activities • Food vendors • Music performances and workshops Sunday Farewell Concert: 4:30 p.m. Featuring David Stoddard and Beth Wood
round-robin setup, which encourages improvisation. “I have always walked away loving the daytime round-robin workshops, because one artist feeds off and plays with the other artists for mixes never to be heard again, because they don’t see each other that often.” Great River Folk Festival runs
August 28-30. Tickets are available online at greatriverfolkfest.org and at Pearl Street Brewery and People’s Food Co-op.
Sara Walters is a freelance writer and mom from La Crescent, MN.
Songwriting and Performance Contest: Finalists will perform two songs each Sunday, August 30. Songwriters will be evaluated on songwriting and performance by a panel of GRFF judges. The first place act will receive a cash prize, a day in a recording studio at Sound Strations Audio Productions and will perform as the opening act on the main stage for the Sunday afternoon concert.
FAMILY SUMMER FAMILY FUN! Threshing Bee
guided kayak tours
Get ready to step back into pioneer past at Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center’s annual Threshing Bee on August 22, 2015! Farm chore demonstrations will show off threshing oats, rope making, blacksmithing, butter churning and more. Enjoy a wagon ride and check out the kids’ scavenger hunt. Antique engines and farm machinery will be on display. As part of the event, reservations will be taken for a threshing dinner of slow cooked roast beef, boiled potatoes, vegetables, beverage and pie. Event admission included with regular Norskedalen admission rates. The meal is $12 for adults and $6 for kids. August 22, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. Coon Valley, WI.
Find more details at www.norskedalen.org.
book a tour today! 507.313.4090 www.driftlessadventurecompany.com
Family Fun Fair What a better way to enjoy an afternoon than at a favorite, new park? Chad Erickson Memorial Park was created to celebrate the love of outdoors that Chad embraced. Kids will enjoy carnival games, contests, scavenger hunts, crafts and more all surrounded by the beauty of this park. The entire event is free! August 23, 2015. 1– 4 p.m.
3601 Park Lane Dr., La Crosse, WI.
For more information, call La Crosse Parks and Recreation at 608-789-7533.
Fishing for Eagles Kids love Fishing for Eagles at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., especially when they can choose to donate their catch to feed the center’s bald eagle ambassadors! Fish right from the dock at the center with equipment available for free checkout. This summer-long program runs Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. through September 3, 2015. The event is free with paid admission to the center. Bonus! Get eco-friendly when you deposit your lead tackle to help lead poisoning prevention efforts. Kids, 15 and under, who are Minnesota residents can fish without a license. Non-residents need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid Minnesota fishing license.
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For more info: www.nationaleaglecenter.org/fishing-for-eagles.
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LIMELIGHT JUSTIN TRAILS RESORT A Haven for Outdoor Fun and Adventure
Article: Becca Dargatz Photos: Chad Berger
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
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ustin Trails Resort, just outside of Sparta, Wis., is a haven for outdoor adventurists. With ten miles of hiking and cross country ski trails, two disc golf courses, numerous lodging options, breathtaking views and more, it’s the perfect locale for a wedding, family gathering or weekend getaway. This 200-acre rural refuge once functioned as a working dairy farm. In 1985 owners Don and Donna Justin created ten miles of walking, hiking and cross-country skiing trails on their land, mostly for their own use. Then as milk prices declined, they knew they had to rethink the purpose of their farm. Those trails would become part of that solution. They attended Willie Nelson’s Farm & Ranch Congress in St. Louis a year later. There they learned about things that small farms could do to survive. When they returned to their farm, they looked into converting their secluded pastoral property with incredible Driftless valley views into a tourist destination. After positive experiences at Amana Colonies in Amana, Iowa and at a Railroad Hotel in Illiopolis, Illinois, the Justin’s moved forward with their idea of opening a Bed & Breakfast. Donna Justin recalls thinking, “We already do this for our family for free, so let’s get paid and sell the cows someday.” The first step was obtaining a Conditional Use Permit. Donna then connected with other B&B owners, establishing three different organizations. She also created a brochure, along with Nancy Rhodes of the Viroqua Heritage Inn, featuring nine different area B&Bs. The brochure was successful for all nine B&Bs, and it was the start of something beautiful for the Justin Trails Resort. Building a unique experience The Justin farm has been in the family for 101 years. Don and Donna’s daughter, Dawn, now acts as the director of marketing for the resort. The family has created a unique Bed & Breakfast lodging
experience for up to 22 guests. It’s a space that is welcoming for everyone, including children and pets. The lodging sits on a huge park-like property with space to spread out, making it a one-stop-shop for weddings and events. “We renovated our barn in 2013 and now host weddings in our Elegant Barn. Wedding ceremonies are typically held outdoors in our English Gardens or out on our 200-acre property. Since 2003, we have hosted about 80 weddings,” says Dawn. The Elegant Barn is just that: an elegant barn with huge windows that allow the cool, Wisconsin breeze to flow through the upstairs space, sliding barn doors that frame the property’s picturesque scene and a smooth hardwood dance floor milled from a variety of farmstead trees. Quaint Mason jar lighting dangles from exposed wood beams, casting a romantic glow on the floor below. The resort also features walking and hiking trails, two disc golf courses, a pond and several campsites. It’s a great place to gather family and friends for an entire weekend of activities. Even the furry family members are welcome. “Our resort is pet-friendly and there is no weight limit or deposit required. We have walking trails, three ponds, and a fenced-in dog park where dogs may run around without a leash,” says Dawn. Accommodations and amenities Pets as well as Children are welcome at Justin Trails. Kids can play in the large playhouse or hand feed llama brothers, Dusty and Rusty. The vast grassy space is perfect for lawn games like volleyball, softball, bags, croquet and other games. Set back from the road, the resort allows young children to explore and run around the property without fear of fast-moving vehicles. The peaceful, serene setting is also ideal for rest and relaxation. With mature trees
Foursquare Farmhouse with room for six guests. Amenities include kitchenettes, whirlpools, fireplaces, A/C and more. Every cabin, suite, cottage and room is unique, with décor that emphasizes the idea of a restful haven. “Generally the sound of breezes and birds makes up our white noise. It is very quiet. We are surrounded by woodland, hills and meadows which help dampen sound. It is serene and peaceful here,” says Dawn. Not only are the grounds breathtaking, they area also certified organic since 2008, and the resort uses conservation methods, such as prescribed goat grazing to restore
Donna, Dawn & Don Justin a section of Oak Savanna on the property. The land is rented out to local gardeners who incorporate the produce into their farmer’s market offerings. Four people make up the full-time staff at Justin Trails: Don and Donna, daughter Dawn and handyman Mark. The small, dedicated staff makes sure guests are taken care of. In the morning, they offer a join-us-when-you-are-ready breakfast between 7:30-10:00 a.m., or they’ll deliver a food basket to your doorstep. If you are looking for an ideal setting for your next family gathering or just a place to get away from it all, consider Justin Trails Resort. It’s more than a tourist destination; it’s a retreat that feels like a home away from home.
Year-Round Events: • Justin Trails Winter Race • Doggie Easter Egg Hunt • Lung Bustin’ Justin • Cub Challenge • Annual Pig Roast • Drum Circle • Doggie Palooza • Disc Golf Tournament Check www.justintrails.com for dates and details. Nearby Attractions: • Sparta pool (15 min.) • Canoeing (Ontario, 30 min.) • Bicycling (Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail, 8 min.) • Horseback riding (Redrock Trail Rides, 10 min.) • Amish appreciation/goods (largest Amish settlement in WI, about 300 families, 20 min.) • Fishing (10-30 min.) • Kickapoo Valley Reserve & Wildcat Mountain (30-40 min.)
GO: Justin Trails Resort
Becca Dargatz is a former intern for Mpls. St.Paul Magazine. Interests include pop culture, coffee drinking, good conversation, nail polish and feminism.
Address: 7452 Kathryn Ave, Sparta, WI 54656 Phone: 608-269-4522 Website: www.justintrails.com
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and endless views of surrounding bluffs and valleys, there’s not a bad seat in the house or in the yard. Outdoor furniture situated around the property is perfect for both large-group conversations and quiet places to read or reflect. “It’s magical here. The other night my mom and I sat near our 125-year-old Silver Maple tree watching the fireflies twinkle. It was wonderful, very few bugs, gorgeous, nice temperature, right out of a movie... idyllic,” says Dawn. The resort offers lodging accommodations in two log cabins, a cottage and a camping cabin. There’s also a traditional B&B style 1920s
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OUTDOORS TENDING THE TRAILS Article: Deborah Nerud
photo: Bob Good
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SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
oulee legend has it that an elite squad of bluff gnomes, under the cover of darkness, harnessed the power of the rogue hoe, loppers and a Ditch Witch to build and maintain the amazing multiuse trails we’ve come to know and love in the Coulee Region. For the casual user of the trails, it’s easy to assume that the paths are somehow self-maintained, groomed solely by the city or by some anonymous group of people who regularly do the dirty work.
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numbers, according to Willie Bittner, a member of the Professional Trailbuilders Association, owner/operator of Great Lakes Trailbuilders and operations director for WisCorps. During 2014, WisCorps, a non-profit agency that engages youth and young adults in trail-building and conservation projects, spent over 1,457 volunteer hours in the woods and an additional 1,200 hours in planning and board meetings.
Bittner points out that the cooperative effort to groom, maintain, build, preserve and plan future trails is immense, involving a variety of community members and groups, including the City of La Crosse, Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC), UW-La Crosse, Viterbo, Couleecap, Vista, the Rotary Club, Great Lakes Trailbuilders and others. “For the trails to work, we have to work together,” says Bittner.
The harsh truth: It’s not gnomes. Whether you’re headed into the forest to explore Lower Hixon, pedaling the new pump track in Upper Hixon (also known as Human Powered Trails), seeking solace on Brady’s Bluff in Trempealeau or scanning the skies and waters for blue herons in the La Crosse River Marsh, every path you take—by foot or by pedal—has been created, maintained and supported by groups and volunteers, through networks of public funding, grants and donations. These ecosystems are hidden gems that stretch throughout the Coulee Region. From the early days of the Bicentennial Trail in Hixon Forest to the Vernon Trails system in Viroqua, thousands of work hours are committed yearly to expand access and keep the paths open and inviting for all to explore. Doing the dirty work The beauty of the trails is in the
Jed Olson photo: Bob Good
Jed Olson, a long-time local master trail builder, Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA) volunteer, cyclist and hiker, elaborates, “Awareness of the trails will keep them alive. When the community knows what the trails can do for the populace, how they keep a region healthy and what promise they can bring—both financially and ecologically—people will get invested.” He adds, “The goal for all the organizations involved is to help people figure out the what and the where about getting involved.” Community involvement ORA volunteer and cyclist, Robbie Young echoes Olson’s statement. “To build a scene, to create a destination, you need to court the wider public and offer dynamic opportunities to recreate.” Cindy Shireman, City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry Coordinator, is an arbiter of that scene. “It’s my job to promote the parks, trail systems, to make improvements, seek funding for projects and to navigate City Hall.” While Shireman has planned numerous events, she is most excited about the grand opening of the Upper Hixon Pump Track and the Bluff Bash, a celebration of La Crosse area trails that will take place on August 27. “A wide variety of user groups will be in attendance—runners, hikers, bikers, birders—all to create awareness for the bluffs and the trails,” notes Shireman.
A hiker with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Shireman is passionate about sustainable trail usage that promotes reduction of invasive and nonnative species.
events need the love and attention of an entire populace to succeed and move forward,” says Shireman. “The city, recognizing the passion and energy of volunteers from the past and present, is doing its best to maintain usability by seeking grants and getting the groups what they need to continue future partnerships.” ORA volunteer, pump track builder and master trail builder, Aaron Kerr notes that collaboration with the city has helped bring about some of the largest upcoming trail events including the Wisconsin Off Road Series featuring the Hixon Forest Epic (Sept. 27, 2015). “This is an event that has the potential to bring thousands of folks onto the trails,” states Kerr. “With this sort of turnout, a lot of new interest and volunteer efforts surface. It fosters a healthy, fun approach to recreation in our area and creates more inclusion.”
Commitment and collaboration The city also continues to work with the MVC on the La Crosse Bluffland Protection Program. “Trails and trail
Be the gnome Getting involved is as easy as playing in the dirt. All of the agencies mentioned have websites and Facebook pages
Willie Bittner
welcoming volunteers. Whether you’re picking up a rogue hoe to tamp down a divot on the Human Powered Trail with the ORA, clearing brush with the MVC or learning about the multi-use trails at the La Crosse County Landfill, there is a job and a trail that needs you. Sustainability, accessibility and preservation of the trails are made possible by education and continued support—both financial and volunteer. We are the bluff gnomes, and we can make this happen.
Deborah Nerud is a ukulele-playing mama-of-two/writer/gardener/pie baker/cyclist/runner/performer with work published in Coulee Region Women and Coulee Parenting Connection. A firm believer in the emotional power of pen and paper, she still loves sending (and receiving) letters via USPS and will happily send you a note in the mail.
MORE INFO: Hixon Forest Epic: www.explorelacrosse.com/ hixonforestepic La Crosse Strategic Plan for Sustainability: www.sustainablelacrosse.com Mississippi Valley Conservancy: www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org Outdoor Recreation Alliance: www.naturesplacetoplay.com Wisconsin Off Road Series: www.wors.org WisCorps: www.wiscorps.org Vernon Trails: www.vernontrails.com
photo: Bob Good
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Robbie Young photo: Riley Seebeck at FlowPhotoCo
Aaron Kerr photo: Bob Good
Kora Supervised Trail Work Day photo: Bob Good
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OUTDOORS 1. Hixon Forest Trails (Upper and Lower) - www.cityoflacrosse.org/index. aspx?nid=1646 2. Root River State Trail - www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/root_river
By: Radventure Dad, aka Brett Werner
3. Vernon Trails (all of them) - www.vernontrails.com 4. Great River State Trail - www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/greatriver 5. La Crosse River State Trail - www.lacrosseriverstatetrail.org 6. Whitewater State Park Trails - www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater 7. Every other hidden trail nestled in our bluffs and coulees and along our river banks. NOTE: Trails are alive and ever-changing as volunteers and laborers work alongside nature to maintain and create new trails. Maps may not be current and contacting the listed sources for updates is encouraged…or feel free to explore!
TICK TALK Article: Leah Call
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SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
ost people in the Seven Rivers Region know someone who has had Lyme disease, or they have had it themselves. The tick-borne illness affects about 300,000 people nationally each year, with more than 2,840 confirmed, probable and estimated cases in Wisconsin last year. That number includes 193 cases in La Crosse County, down from 393 cases in 2013. Nearby Vernon, Monroe and Trempealeau counties report an even higher incidence of the disease. Lyme disease is spread through the deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick, which carries the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Several tick species, including the deer tick, are prevalent in our region. But don’t let your fear of contracting Lyme disease keep you from enjoying the outdoors, just be aware and be prepared.
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An ounce of prevention Ticks are most active from April through September. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following preventative measures to avoid tick bites that could lead to Lyme disease: Avoid wooded and brushy terrain When in tick-prone areas, wear long sleeves and long pants; tuck pant bottoms into socks Walk in the center of trails Use repellents that contain Permethrin or 20 to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on skin, clothing, boots, socks and tents After time outdoors bathe or shower and conduct a full-body tick check. Timely removal is critical, since it takes 24 to 48 hours for the disease to be transmitted. Don’t forget to examine all gear and pets, and for an added precaution, wash clothing or toss in the dryer on high heat.
Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
adult female
Current Designs Solara 135
adult male
nymph larva
Signs and symptoms If you discover a tick, promptly remove it. The best way to detach a tick is to pull slowly and gently with tweezers. The good news is that most tick bites do not result in Lyme disease. If you discover the tell-tale bullseye or circular rash around the tick bite or experience symptoms listed below, contact your family physician to request a Lyme test. Standard treatment is oral antibiotics. Early detection is important to avoid long-term complications. Achy joints, fever, headache and fatigue are symptoms of Lyme disease, though the disease can present itself in a range of ways that can be misdiagnosed, especially in the later stages, when gone untreated or with chronic cases. Symptoms occur between 3 and 30 days post tick bite. More information on Lyme disease is available through the CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Essential Oil Tick Repellent Try this simple homemade repellent. It’s easy to make, and it works. Combine ingredients below in a spray bottle, and spray on skin, clothes, boots and gear.
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have always had fun with paddle sports, and kayaking is the one I’ve probably spent the most time enjoying. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to try sit-on kayaks that are extra stable and great for fishing; sea kayaks that are sleek and fast for putting on some miles; inflatables that are easy to transport; short recreational boats that are great for Colorado rivers in spring; and, of course, full-sized recreational kayaks such as the Solara 135. I’m no expert (read: I know enough to be dangerous!) but I’ve learned a thing or two over the years, so I was excited to get this boat on the water! One guy who definitely knows more than I do about paddle sports is Ryan Johnson from Driftless Adventure Company in Winona, Minn. I met up with Ryan on a beautiful summer night at Lake Winona for some paddling and product testing. He was all set up when I arrived and ready to outfit me with a proper personal flotation device (PFD) and paddle before setting out on our voyage. Wearing a PFD is not required by law, but, similar to wearing a helmet while cycling, it’s a great idea. If you haven’t checked out what’s available in PFDs these days, you might be surprised at how comfortable and functional they are. The Solara 135 kayak is perfect for medium to larger paddlers. Its open cockpit design makes it easy to get in and out of. Plus there’s room to keep gear nearby, so you’re ready for that photo op! Before paddling off on my journey, I made preliminary adjustments to the one-of-a-kind rotating axis seat, so my legs were properly supported, and I personalized the fully adjustable back rest. I adjusted the foot braces, so my knees were slightly bent and resting below the top of the cockpit. These features aren’t normally available on a boat priced under $1,000; another reason the Solara is a great value! Current Designs was founded in the late 1970s on the West Coast of British Columbia. Founder Brian Henry saw a need for better, more versatile boats and equipment and began building boats on a small scale before officially launching Current Designs in 1982. In 1991 Wenonah Canoes in Winona, Minn., was selected as a strategic partner for distribution in the U.S. In 1999 Wenonah Canoes became the majority owner of Current Designs, and in 2004 Current Designs was relocated to Winona. Current Designs employs a process coined Roto-molding. Rotational molding uses high temperature to melt polyethylene powder in a closed rotating metal mold to produce a complete kayak hull and deck in a fraction of the time required for other construction methods. All Current Designs kayaks include a limited lifetime warranty, so paddle confidently into the sunset knowing your boat was handcrafted using the finest materials and technologies available, right here in the Seven Rivers Region. Accessorizing your new kayak is simple with available options such as a handsfree tray and the rudder with foot controls for an even more personalized paddling experience. When you’re ready to find your perfect boat and get on the water, go see the crew at Sole Sport in downtown Winona. Since they’re close to the factory, they can also setup a test paddle to help you pick your favorite model. photos: Ryan Johnson
Top 7
Seven Rivers Region Trails
• 2 oz. water or witch hazel • 1/4 tsp. castile soap or aloe vera gel (to aid distribution) • 4 drops each essential oil: - peppermint oil - geranium oil - tea tree oil - lavender oil
Leah Call is a freelance writer with 20+ years of writing experience. Her writing appears in local, regional and national publications.
Brett Werner is Thee Radventure Dad. Mountain biking, downhill skiing, camping, snowshoeing, volunteer trail building, just about anything that gets him and his family outside and he’s there. With lifelong experience in recreation and equipment, his goal is to get other families geared up for outdoor fun.
BUSINESS Quality Propels Winona Paddle Crafter’s Success Article & Photos By: Ryan Johnson
Zak Fellman and Todd Randall I have been canoeing for more than twenty years, but it was not until just a few years ago that I invested in a quality paddle to propel me delightfully down the river. With some extra cash in my wallet from a recent side job, I headed to Three Rivers Outdoors in downtown La Crosse and was talked into a 54-inch Gunflint canoe paddle crafted by Sanborn Canoe Company. With alternating strips of Western Red
Cedar and Ash, this paddle is pretty to look at, and on the water, it’s a joy to hold. I was amazed at how much better I connected with the water. I could feel the slightest vibrations transmitted through the wooden shaft and into my soul. I am not exaggerating. To this day I tell people I would rather paddle an ugly old dented canoe with a fine wooden paddle than a brand new Kevlar canoe with a cheap aluminum and plastic paddle.
OLD TOWNE STRINGS A Business Built From the Heart Article & Photos By: Deborah Nerud If it has strings and it’s broke, Ty Striebel can probably repair it—or he knows someone who can. At Old Towne Strings (OTS), which feels more like your parent’s rec room than an instrument service and repair shop, all are welcome to come in, grab a cup of coffee, throw on a record and talk strings. Striebel, who plays a variety of instruments, modeled the store’s comfy-kitschy-chic after his own home. “This is my basement, basically,” he says. “I want folks to feel like this is a community gathering space for people who love music and stringed instruments.” Opening the 1,500-square-foot shop on Caledonia Street in Old Towne North was a simple decision. Striebel states, “North La Crosse is my home, and I wanted to create a welcoming environment that would meet a local need. It was also a great choice for my family.” Music is very much interwoven in Striebel’s life. With a band director mother, a musician partner (Joella, a substance abuse counselor at Coulee Council on Addictions) and two young children, who know their way around a home filled
with ukuleles, Striebel, a gifted musician himself, chose to invest everything into the creation of OTS. “It’s my passion,” he says. “I could’ve gone into performance or education or building, but instrument repair is my thing.” With a 15-year history in the music business and 12 years in instrument repair, Striebel continues to collaborate with Leithold’s, providing orchestral instrument repair for five school districts in the Coulee Region. While he specializes in orchestral instruments, Striebel works on varied and unique string instruments from the Autoharp to the Zither and everything in between. OTS also rents, sells and consigns instruments and gear. Whether it’s rosin, a bow, strings, a cello or your grandma’s old bass fiddle, Striebel can connect you with what you need. “With OTS, I’m trying my best to bring connectivity to a community. In this region, there are a lot of great folks in the music business, and I like that I can send customers in the right direction, whatever their musical interest is.” OTS is entirely inviting, and the process
of repair is completely on display; workbenches filled with tools, cellos under clamps and thick industry manuals are exposed to the public. Commenting on the unobstructed layout of the repair stations, Striebel notes, “In most shops you’ll find repair benches behind walls and doors—completely hidden from the public. I wanted to be open and exposed with a feeling of inclusion. You can see me doing repair.” Eager to continue catering to orchestra beginners, Striebel visits schools to introduce new players to the importance of regular maintenance. He also hopes to invite middle and high school students into the shop for classes on instrument maintenance and repair. But OTS is not a music store. “I want to be a new sort of model—a home for music,” notes Striebel. “I want teachers, students, families…everyone to come in and feel welcome.” Deborah Nerud is a ukulele-playing mama-of-two/writer/gardener/pie baker/cyclist/runner/performer with work published in Coulee Region Women and Coulee Parenting Connection. A firm believer in the emotional power of pen and paper, she still loves sending (and receiving) letters via USPS and will happily send you a note in the mail.
Paddles and more Some effective marketing and a reputation for quality handmade paddles has steadily grown the company. Its line of paddles has swelled to more than 30 options. A collaboration with Jack Daniels Distillery resulted in canoe paddles crafted from the distillery’s old whiskey barrels. A slight shift in focus led to an additional line of products aimed at making life in camp a more pleasant and durable experience. Branded apparel, such as hats and shirts, provide warmth with a timeless vintage style. Carefully selected knives, hatchets and cookware can also be purchased from their website. And plans are underway to release an ultra-light cedar/carbon paddle that will weigh less than a pound. Fellman says his primary goal is to “outfit the modern canoe camper with vintage inspired gear.” If you have a canoe and want to enhance your paddling experience while supporting a local small business, check out the Sanborn Canoe Company. Visit their website (www. sanborncanoe.com) to order products and view a list of their retailers around the world.
Ryan Johnson is a proud, selfproclaimed River Rat with a passion for getting people out on the water. He takes pride in producing river cartography, guiding professional kayak tours and writing for Big River Magazine. He occasionally “forces” his lucky friends to go paddling with him.
COME ON IN: Where: 1222 Caledonia St., La Crosse, WI ty@oldtownestrings.com www.facebook.com/oldtownestrings www.oldtownestrings.com 608-782-1222 Hours of Operation: Tues–Fri: Noon–5 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m. –5 p.m. Sun & Mon: By appointment
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
SANBORN CANOE COMPANY
Humble beginnings I was so impressed with the paddle I had to check out the place where it was made. Luckily, Sanborn Canoe Company produces these world-class paddles on a lonely rural road just eight miles from my house in Winona, Minnesota. Walking into the humble woodshop, I was confronted with the delicious smell of cedar. Mugs of old coffee were scattered around the shop next to random notes, sketches and calculations scrawled onto notepads. This is not a corporate American factory. Hard work, calloused hands and sawdust displace electronically controlled machinery and robots. The new 30x50-foot shop is far from what you would expect from a company that supplies such a finely crafted product to retailers in 20 states and 12 countries and has a booming online market. Yet this shop is a step up from an even more humble beginning—a garage on Sanborn Street in Winona. Founders Zak Fellman and Todd Randall grew up in Southwestern Minnesota, where canoeing roots grow deep. In fact, it was a conversation with their grandfather about making his own canoes back in the 1960s that sparked what would become Sanborn Canoe Company. In the summer of 2009, Fellman and Randall, with practically zero woodworking experience, purchased a book on how to build a canoe and took over their buddy’s garage. With an upcoming trip to the Boundary Waters planned, they decided to make some paddles, too. Little did they know, that project would grow into a small business that currently supports three fulltime and three part-time employees.
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SIP N' TASTE But for the Grace….. of Gracie’s By: Nancy Nosher
FOOD Review
I’ve been going to Gracie’s for years. It was an easy dinner on the way home from my daughter’s piano lessons and, after she left for college, Gracie’s carry-out became a Wednesday night habit. Yet, for years, I was typically the only customer in the place. When I mentioned Gracie’s to my friends, I was met with a blank stare. “Where is that?” they asked in confusion. I lived in fear the place would close for lack of business. A lone Facebook statement from a customer criticizing Gracie’s inclusive approach put owner Despina Kozidis on the map. There is a pot of gold under the rainbow, and it’s called a gyros, or, perhaps a falafel or hummus. Okay, so the décor is a little funky given the bright orange accent walls and the stand-at table in the middle of the dining room, but the food—oh the food. Where else can you get tender gyro meat loaded into pillowy pita bread and topped with perfectly tangy tzatziki sauce? And the prices are a perfect fit for your pocketbook—a complete meal, soup or salad included, for under twelve dollars. I will admit the French fries have changed over the years, and they’re not my favorite fry anymore, but who cares when the rest of the meal hits the mark? Where else in the Coulee Region can you get Greek food prepared by a native of Greece, and topped with a strong set of morals? So, the gyros are fab. But if meat is not your thing, make room for the Mediterranean platter, a yummy combo of hummus, olives, baba ganouje and grilled peppers, offset with triangles of pita bread. I swear it’s the smoothest, richest hummus in town. The night I dined at Gracie’s, I opted for that evening’s special, a platter with rice, gyro meat, tomatoes, spinach pie, pita and dolmades. I’m not a dolmades fan, but my dining companion rolled his eyes in delight. Every order comes with a salad or bowl of homemade broth-based soup. Gracie’s also offers a few standards like salads and burgers, but the gyros calls my name every single time. I can get a good burger at a
WINE
by Wohlert By: Todd Wohlert
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
WINE 22
Review
SPANISH WINE… Who Knew?
Spain is a wine region that doesn’t get a lot of love, but it should for multiple reasons: big reds, complex whites, inexpensive sparklers and sweet patio-pounding sangrias. Tempranillo is the big dog of the Spanish wine world. That grape is to Spain as Cab is to Napa. Everyone grows it, because it performs magnificently and over-delivers even with poor conditions. Some people have probably heard of Rioja. It’s a region not a grape—like Bordeaux
number of establishments, but good gyros are a little harder to find. If you’re looking to hang out at a bar, Gracie’s doesn’t have one, nor is there an alcoholic beverage listing; your server will recite the beer list from memory and offer red or white wine. However, if you’re looking for a piece of ooey-gooey baklava, and the Mediterranean Festival is still a year off, you’ve come to the right place. Polish off dessert with a glass of Gracie’s iced or Turkish coffee, depending on the weather. Gracie’s is kid friendly, but the wait for in-house dining, given the minimal wait staff, can get a bit long. If you’re pressed for time, you’re better off calling ahead to order and taking your order home. Something I’ve been doing ever since Gracie’s opened its doors. Nancy Nosher has been eating all her life. Her favorite foods are wine and chocolate, but she’ll settle for pistachio-crusted Ahi tuna, blueberries with cream and her own frosted chocolate chip brownies. She doesn’t like brats, but she’s a nice person anyway.
GO:
Gracie’s Gyros & Wraps 1908 Campbell Rd La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-5300
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday: Closed (Open for special events)
but not Merlot. Rioja wines are primarily made of Tempranillo, blended with other grapes like Monastrell and Garnacha, although sometimes it is so awesome nothing is added in that particular region or vintage. Tempranillo is one of over 600 grape varieties in Spain, each more difficult to pronounce than the other, like Cariñena and Treixadura. Spanish white wines (Albariño, for instance) tend to lean to the drier side and pair well with shellfish and raw oysters or clams. There are some white wines, such as Verdejo, that lean towards the sweet with a hint of melon. I would advise Spanish whites for the more adventurous drinker—as opposed to your Aunt Helen, who doesn’t think Riesling is sweet enough. Spain also makes a great sparkling wine called Cava. If you have champagne taste but not a champagne budget, Cava is for you! Using native Spanish grapes and not French grapes, it’s a great, dry, crisp sparkler that costs about a quarter the cost of champagne. Have this for patio parties, making mimosas or bellinis, or just for dinner once a week, because you can afford it and you deserve it! Last but not least—well, maybe least depending how cheap you go— is sangria, that delicious blend of Spanish wine and fruit juice. Low in alcohol, because it is cut with juice, this is a party wine that you can drink buckets of for hours and hours. You can tell yourself that it is healthy because it contains juice, if that makes you feel better. If you are looking for a fun sangria, try Lolailo, available in the regular 750 ml bottle or the larger 1.5 L magnums (or as I call them, “fun-size”). On a hot day after mowing the lawn or just chilling on a sandbar or keeping it mellow in the backyard, nothing hits the spot like a refreshing glass of Lolailo. In an unfortunate incident last year, all my bottles of this stuff evaporated seemingly overnight. It was a tragedy. I learned a valuable lesson from that—get the big bottles when friends come over. Better yet, tell them to bring their own sangria and stop drinking yours!
Todd Wohlert works for Purple Feet Wines, a member of the Winebow Group. He is not an expert in wines but he unfortunately knows more that 99% of the people in the state. His goal is to change that to 98% by the end of the year.
BEER Review
English Dark Mild
Style: Traditional English Dark Ale Brewer: Turtle Stack Brewery, 125 2nd St. S., La Crosse, Wis.
Price Point: $4
By: A.J. Moore
Alcohol by Volume: 3.5% Appearance: True to the finest of British pub traditions, this lower-
gravity and easy-drinking dark ale pours a slightly hazy russet color with a relatively light and fizzy head that dissipates into a clean white ring around the edge of the glass, leaving spotted lacing from the top to bottom of your pint. Aroma: When first poured there is only the faint aroma of baked white bread and clean malt, but given a chance to warm slightly it really begins to open up. The second half of a pint brings out the classic character of a mild ale with subtle but complex scents of baked oatmeal, milk caramel, hazelnuts and butter toffee. Additionally, as the level in the glass descends, you begin to capture a bit of the light fruity character of the English ale yeast. Hop aroma is nearly non-existent as it should be with older and more traditional varieties of English ales. Taste: The flavor of this beer can be summed up in just one word: balance. It is simultaneously clean and nutty, approachable and complex, malty and refreshing. The first flavors you encounter are cooked light sugars, treacle, wheat toast, and sweet mince, followed later by distant notes of tree nuts, milk chocolate, and baked puddings. The judiciously employed Willamette hops provide just enough accent and spice to finish clean, fruity and dry. Presence: Drinkability is a key characteristic of a dark mild ale, and this is certainly no exception. The light, medium body and low-volume
carbonation are the lynchpin in the combination that makes this beer so sublimely approachable yet complex and refreshing. Rather than dominate the experience, the carbonation provides just enough lift to the flavors and aromas in the back palate to really let this subtle style shine. X-Factors and Overall: Turtle Stack’s English Dark Mild really reflects the dedicated craftsmanship of brewer Brent Martinson. It’s a bold early offering for a brewer to take on a beer style that is not particularly well known and also so subtle and understated in its essential character, but Turtle Stack nailed it. Don’t let the lower alcohol and lack of superlatives in the description above deceive you, this is a sublimely quaffable and enjoyable beer from your first sip to your fourth pint. If you like English brown ales and bitters, get down to Turtle Stack and try the English Dark Mild while it lasts. Til then, cheers. A.J. Moore is a renaissance man. In addition to writing, tabletop gaming, smelting, blacksmithing, woodworking and restoring antique hand tools, A.J. is a homebrewer, occasional beer judge and member of the La Crosse LAGERS homebrewer club.
Serving Thai & Indian Cuisine GOAT BEEF VEGAN CHICKEN SEAFOOD GLUTEN FREE LAMB VEGETABLES
Tues. - Fri. 11 am - 2 pm
(608) 519-3033 Open 7 days a week
$8.99
235 Sand Lake Rd., (Center 90) Onalaska, WI
Visit our website or Facebook page to see a full menu!
www.RoyalThaiandIndianCuisineOnalaska.com Buy any Lunch or Dinner Entree
GET THE 2ND of equal or lesser value
1/2 PRICE
15% OFF
(Dine-In Only)
TAKE OUT
Cannot be used for delivery or buffet. Good only with dining menu. Coupon may not be used with other discounts. Only one coupon allowed per visit. Expires: 9/12/15
Good for take-out only. Cannot be used for delivery. Coupon may not be used with other discounts. Only one coupon allowed per visit. Expires: 9/12/15
wn La Crosse 115 5th Ave S, Downto 737 (608) 782-0
NEW! Breakfast Lunch Dinner Cocktails Hours
Sun-Th 7 am - 10 pm Fri & Sat 7 am - 11 pm
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Two eggs any style, hash browns or American fries, bacon or sausage and toast
Tax and beverage not included - 2 feasts per coupon Coupon valid during breakfast serving hours only. Expires 8/31/15
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
LUNCH BUFFET
23
FITNESS
GET FITwith LIVI FIT
By: Olivia Parshall
FORGET THE SCALE
ISOLATE & MAXIMIZE It can be frustrating to work hard and not see results as quickly as we would like. Isolating, or putting a concentrated emphasis on certain muscle groups, can help achieve customized physical goals and a more proportional physique quicker. I’m a firm believer that it’s best to have a well-rounded exercise routine that incorporates various types of body challenges. Isolation techniques shouldn’t replace compound movements but rather compliment them.
Biceps: It’s true that any time you’re lifting weight you’re using more than one specific muscle; however, you can focus more of the muscle tension on the biceps by trying a more isolated move. Sit on a bench slightly reclined back at a comfortable angle (a 135 degree angle works best). Hold a dumbbell in each hand, dropped at your sides. Choose a challenging weight. With your back flat on the back of the bench, alternate the bicep curl by lifting the weight up with your palms facing towards you. Use slow and controlled movements on the curl and release and keep your elbows tight to your sides. It isn’t about speed here; it’s about isolating the work in the bicep muscles.
Calves: This move is great because it also requires no weight besides your own body. Just stand with your feet a little wider than hipwidth apart, squat down nice and deep (a 90 degree angle works well), and then press your heels up into a calf raise but maintain the squatted position. Keep your chest up and don’t slouch over. Brace your core and either hold or pulse up and down in very small, controlled movements.
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Triceps: To isolate the triceps without any equipment, do triceps dips from a bench, desk or chair. Turn so your back is facing the chair and place your palms on the chair with your fingers pointing toward the floor. The important thing here is form. Keep your elbows in tight to your sides and don’t let them flare outward as you do this movement. Stay in a strong set position and slowly lower your hips, making a 90 degree angle with your arms, then slowly press your body back up. Focus on form and slow, controlled movement.
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Shoulders: Obtain dumbbells, weighted plates or a weighted bar. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, core braced and arms bent at a 90 degree angle while holding the weight in front of you. Press the weight up until almost fully extended but be sure not to lock out your elbows at the top, then slowly release back down to a 90 degree angle. Again, focus on form, position and slow, controlled movements.
Achieve your individual goals faster and customize your body by working some isolation exercises into your routine. Weights, bands or even just your own body can be used. Always think creatively and look at what you have available to strength-train on a regular basis. Stay tuned to Livi Fit for more fitness tips to become more fit and strong together!
Olivia Parshall is a health and wellness columnist and fitness instructor. She is excited to release the upcoming online LiviFit TV and LiviFit fitness programs.
Article: Lee Walraven
T
oday is the day you decide to get back into shape. You get a membership to a health facility, because you know you need to exercise. You even purchase some sessions with a personal trainer to get on the right track. Your trainer wants you to come up with goals to keep you motivated along the way. Your first goal: lose weight. But is that the right direction? Weight neutral is discussed in a recent addition of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. This idea takes the focus off of setting goals that measure weight, and instead focuses on accomplishments that create healthier habits. These goals are less objective and more subjective. You can’t always measure it on a scale. Weight neutral is a major mind shift for many, because much of our focus has been on losing weight. Obesity is a major concern in America. So why shouldn’t we focus our goals on weight loss? When weight loss is a goal, issues can arise when you stop losing weight, when you get to a healthy weight. Though it feels good to get into those jeans you wore three years ago, you could actually move into an unhealthy low weight if you continue to focus on weight loss. Additionally, weight loss fluctuates. Some weeks you will lose weight and some you won’t. As you make behavioral changes, make healthier food choices and increase exercise, you may have weeks when you don’t lose any weight, even though you’re doing everything right. Your body wants to keep that stored fat because it is energy. Your body is just finding a new normal. That lack of movement on the scale can be discouraging and lead to frustration. So what should you do? Instead of weight loss goals, set a goal to have fruits and vegetables at every meal this week. Get in 30 to 60 minutes of exercise five days of the week. Limit TV time this week to less than 60 minutes a day. Cut out sugary drinks. Those are the goals that lead to a healthier you, and they are goals you can continue throughout your life. Wellness isn’t a destination, it’s a lifelong journey. Lee Walraven, MS, ACSM-RCEP is the Healthy Living Director at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA.
photo: Capaneus Skateboards LLC
#SQURLNATION RACE/FR V2.0 Skateboarders from across the country will get gnarly at the 2nd Annual #SQURLnation Downhill Race August 16 with freeride practice on August 15. Downhill and freeride courses are set, and spectators are welcome to watch brave, skilled racers zoom down the course. The event is sponsored by the downtown La Crosse shop, Black Squrl Skate. Store owner, Wynne Williams notes, “Many [racers] wear full-bodied suits for protection and everyone wears a helmet.” Registration is $100 and includes two days of racing, a t-shirt and camping. Spectators are free. Check out the event on the Black SQURL Skate Facebook page or register online at www.blacksqurlskate.com.
FINDING HOPE AND HEALING The Mini Donut Half Marathon
Article: Heidi Griminger Blanke
I
f we think of a donut as a circle representing life, then the hole in the middle is the emptiness of those no longer with us. The Mini Donut Half Marathon and the Mini Mile Honor Walk raise funds for suicide prevention, helping bring a small level of hope to those affected. In its first year, the half marathon is named to remember Michael “Oly” Olson, who committed suicide in 2013 at age 59. For years, Oly could be found at area fairs and festivals, stationed in his Mini Donut Express trailer. The race is the brainchild of Karla Olson, Oly’s daughter, a marathon runner with fond memories of traversing this particular trail with her dad. It’s also where he ended his life. “My dad committed suicide along that route, a little off to the side. He called it his happy place. He and I took lots of walks on that trail, and I just couldn’t think of a better way than to have it [the half-marathon] on his favorite spot on Earth.” Starting at the YMCA in Onalaska,
the race follows the Great River State Trail to Trempealeau. An additional mile begins at the race’s finish line and continues along the Mississippi River. Ginny Dankmeyer, a co-organizer, explains, “We put this mini mile at the end for people who can’t run the half marathon. You can do it for someone who is struggling with depression or has suicidal thoughts or has committed suicide. It’s in honor of anyone who has passed or who is struggling.” Last year, La Crosse County recorded 30 suicides, with 17 as of July 1 this year; sadly, it’s a record-breaking number. “It’s important for people to become aware that suicide is becoming a bigger and bigger issue,” adds Dankmeyer. “We want people to realize there are programs out there and that suicide is not the answer.” Celebrating life Karla Olson is a seasoned marathon runner, but organizing a marathon was a new experience. With help from friends
and fellow runners, she’s created an event with a life-saving purpose. Though suicide is a serious issue, she says, “This race is all about having fun and celebrating life. We want to have it as fun and unique and as memorable as my dad was.” Oly often watched Karla’s children while she trained for marathons and was one of two people to witness her first marathon. “I’m so light-hearted to know I’m doing something to honor his memory, rather than have two years that nothing good came of. That’s not what my dad would have wanted.” Karla runs the half marathon route every week. “It’s been such a healing process for me to do this. It’s a way to involve him in all of it and not to forget him.” Contestants can register in one of six male or female age categories. Prizes are also given for the fastest overall male and female runners. Registration fees are $50 (before August 6) up to $75 (after September 4); Mini mile registration is $25. All registrations include a “we remember” T-shirt. This year’s proceeds are designated to the Joe Was Just Joe Foundation, created in memory of Joseph Clements, an Aquinas grad who committed suicide in 2008 at age 19. Every year, proceeds will be earmarked towards an organization connected with mental health and suicide prevention. Costs are kept as low as possible in order to maximize the donation. Of course, you don’t have to run or walk to help out. Anyone interested in volunteering the day of the race can fill out a three-question form found on the website. Prospective sponsors are also welcome to contact the event organizers. By creating awareness of mental
Heidi Griminger Blanke, Ph.D. writes for a number of area magazines and has been published in several anthologies. Her resume also includes academic articles, essays in national magazines, writing workshop presentations, and careers in teaching and nonprofit management.
GO: When: September 19, Half-Marathon begins at 7 a.m., Mini-Mile begins at finish line at 10 a.m. Where: Race begins at the YMCA North branch Miracle Field, 400 Mason St., Onalaska, WI Awards ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at Historic Trempealeau Hotel Registration information: www.minidonuthalfm arathon.com
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
Karla celebrating a marathon finish with her dad Oly in 2010.
health, Karla hopes to decrease the stigma associated with depression and suicidal thoughts. “The more we get people to talk about it, the more we get people to share their family life stories, the more we can take away the secret or shaming part. We can do things to help people. It’s so uplifting to know we’re not alone and we can do something about this; we can have positive mental health with positive physical health.” Reducing the number of suicides begins with awareness. The ultimate goal, says Karla is “a community whose members are healthier and better able to support each other.” It’s a circle with hope in the middle.
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LISTINGS
August 2015 YOUR GUIDE TO SEVEN RIVERS REGION EVENTS, FARMERS MARKETS, BLOOD DRIVES, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND SO MUCH MORE. Have something you would like to list in an upcoming issue?
All listings are free, visit our website at TheSevenSpot.com or email contact@thesevenspot.com.
ONGOING All Glazed Up: Sip & Paint Canvas Painting classes. Tuesdays, 6 p.m., and Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $30, includes canvas, paint and instruction. Call ahead to register and BYOB. 205 Pearl St, La Crosse, 608-782-7248, www.allglazedup.com. Attack of the Bloodsuckers. Ends August 31. Family friendly exhibit about the beasties that bite and why. Included with admission. Children’s Museum, 207 5th Ave S, La Crosse, www.funmuseum.org. Barley Brothers “Beers and Gears” Weekly Ride: Casual street and trail ride through La Crosse trails and neighborhoods. 20-25 miles. Emphasis on conversation, food and beer. 1 or 2 beverage stops and typically dinner at the Bodega. Helmets required. Every Thursday April– August, www.facebook.com/pages/BarleyBrothers. Basic Nutritional & Herbal Therapies: Varied programs on herbology, teas, tinctures, gardening, health and more. Herbs All Around, 1033 Caledonia St., 608-780-2255, www.herbsallaround.com. Chinese Language Class: Learn Chinese in a fun, relaxed setting for free! 11–11:45 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays/month, Dim Sum Tea Shop, 221 Pearl St., 608-738-1221. Dahl Auto Museum: Take a stroll down memory lane and immerse yourself in the rich history of the most widely used mode of transportation, the automobile. Thurs, Fri and Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 711 3rd Street South, La Crosse, www.dahlauto.com/ welcome. DJ Trivia Sun: Eagles Club, 2 p.m., LAX. Coulee Golf Bowl, 6 p.m., Onalaska. Mon: Roscoe’s Vogue, 7 p.m., LAX. Tues: Holmen Legion, 6 p.m. Barrel Inn, 7:30 p.m., LAX. The Bar, 7 p.m., Winona. Dublin Square, 9 p.m., LAX.
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Wed: The Mirage, 7 p.m. LAX. Nutbush, 7:30 p.m., Onalaska. Brother’s Bar, 8:30p.m., LAX.
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Thurs: River Rats, 6:30 p.m., French Island. Red Pines, 8 p.m., Brice Prairie. Fri: Nutbush, 8:30 p.m., Onalaska. Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center: Nestled amid the hardwood forests and river bluffs of Lanesboro, Minnesota, Eagle Bluff offers programs for families, visitors, students and individuals alike. Challenge yourself atop our high ropes course, come for get-away weekend, take part in the River Roots Skills School, or explore the 11 miles of trails, 507- 467-2437, www.eagle–bluff.org. Fayze’s Evenings Out: Tuesday, Half Price Tap Beer Night, get all your
All listings are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to review event directly ahead of time.
favorite tap beers at half price every Tuesday at Fayze’s, 3:30 p.m. to close. Thursday, Date Night, Treat your sweetheart to a night downtown and enjoy half-price bottles of wine every Thursday at Fayze’s, 3:30 p.m. to close, 608-784-9548, www.Fayzes.com.
Pottery Classes: Learn pottery basics or discover new skills. Wheel Deals available! Children & adult classes, Paint Your Own, Jewelry & Glass Fusing, and more! Generous Earth Pottery, 321 Main St., La Crosse, 608–782–3904, www.generousearthpottery.com.
Group Runs: Starting at Grand Bluff Running. Join this amazing group of people for a 3-, 5-, or 7-mile run to stay active this winter season. Hot cocoa and snacks provided after the run! For more information go to www.grandbluffrunning. com or check out their Facebook page.
Pump House: Summer 2015 Workshops. Saturdays, July 11–August 15, Intro to Drawing, Instructor: Ben Alberti, 9 a.m.– 10:15 a.m.; Clay Hand-Building Workshop, Instructor: Angela Goeds, 10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Contact the Pump house today to reserve your spot, 608-785-1434.
Kinstone Academy: One-hour guided tour. Saturdays, 1 p.m., Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture, 53439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, www.kinstonecircle. com.
Root Note: Sundays: Simple Roots (folk/bluegrass), 12:30 p.m. Mondays: Trivia with Tim Dale, 8 p.m.–10 p.m. Tuesdays: 3rd Relation Jazz Quartet, 8 p.m.–11 p.m. Thursdays: Open Mic, 8 p.m.–11 p.m. www.facebook.com/theRootNote/events.
La Crosse Concert Band 2015: Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Riverside Park, July 8, 15, 22, 29. Rain site is Central High School. La Crosse County Historical Society presents - Preserving Your Family History: Organizing and Preserving Your Family Photos, Wednesday, August 5, 10–11:00 a.m., 410 E Veterans Memorial Dr., La Crosse, WI, http://www.lchshistory. org.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum: Explore the MMAM’s expanded and unique collections as well as a new exhibition almost every month or enjoy a tour. 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 507-474-6626, www.mmam.org. National Eagle Center: Fishing for Eagles, every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m–4:00 p.m., all summer! We’ve got the fishing poles, life jackets, bait and a dock out front. Kids 15 and under can fish without a license. Adults (18–61) $8.00; Seniors (62+) $6.00; Students (4 – 17) $5.00; Children (3 & Under) and NEC Members Free, www.nationaleaglecenter. org. Outdoor Connection: Rent outdoor gear from the UW-L Recreational Eagle Center! Open to the public with a wide variety of equipment for adventures big and small. Summer hours 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Mondays– Saturdays, 1601 Badger St., La Crosse. 608-785-8680, www.uwlax.edu/recsports. Pearl Street Brewery: New events every month including live music every Friday from 6 p.m.– 9 p.m., brewery tours every Saturday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m., 1401 St. Andrew St., La Crosse, 608-784-4832, www.pearlstreetbrewery.com.
Segway Tours: Offered daily, 9:00 a.m.,noon, 3:00 p.m. Need a later time? Call and make arrangements. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour. www. lacrossesegwaytours.com/#!tours/cfvg. Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Looking for a place of spiritual refreshment and renewal? Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Come as an individual, family, group of friends, group of co–workers or church group. For hours and other information, visit www. guadalupeshrine.org, or contact the Shrine’s pilgrimage coordinator for assistance with planning your visit, 608-782-5440, gmarcoatguadalupeshrine.org. Tea Tasting Party: Learn about and sample teas. Dumplings and egg tarts included with take-home loose tea sample. 1st Tuesday/month, 6 p.m. ($6 pre-pay, $8 at door), 3rd Saturday/month ($8 pre-pay, $10 at door). Dim Sum Tea Shop, 221 Pearl St., 608-738-1221. (Note: Closed for vacation for a portion of September 2015. Call ahead.) Trester Trolly Tours: Saturdays. Tours of Winona, aboard the Trester Trolley. Departs 10 a.m. and 1 a.m. from the Holiday Inn Express, the Winona Plaza Hotel and the Riverport Inn. Each tour, approximately 90 minutes, will immerse you in the city’s history while you discover the many fun things to do in and around Winona. To reserve a seat, contact the Trester Trolley, 507-429-9101. www.trestertrolley.com. Tour de Pearl: Pedal for Pints this summer! Join hundreds of La Crosse bicycle enthusiasts and ride to up to 42 different stages. Enjoy local Pearl Street Brewery beer all over La Crosse County and register to win a $1000 Wyatt bike. This year Pearl Street Brewery has partnered with the La Crosse Area Labor Day Weekend Bicycle Festival for its End of Tour Party. Register online at www.pearlstreetbrewery.com.
Trail Work Days: Get excited to dig in! Volunteer for trail restoration and building. Varying days, Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA), La Crosse, www.NaturesPlaceToPlay.com. Winona Municipal Band Concert Lake Park: The Winona Municipal Band takes the stage on Wednesday evenings. You’ll hear the sounds of brass, woodwinds and strings. In honor of the centennial anniversary of the Winona Municipal Band, there will be a patriotic music program. Wednesday evenings. Yoga with Tammy Z: Yoga is for everybody! We offer a variety of classes for every level of experience. First class FREE! Contact us for schedules, 432 Cass St., La Crosse, 608-386-1217, tammyzyoga.com.
BLOOD DRIVES www.redcross.org Tuesdays: 1:30– 6:30 p.m.., August 4–September 29 at the La Crosse Blood Donation Center 1431 State Hwy 16. August 1: 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 5: 10:45 a.m.– 5:45 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 7: 7:30 a.m. –2:00 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 10: 12:30 p.m. –5:30 p.m., Presbyterian Church, 625 W Franklin Street, West Salem. August 11: 8:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m., Altra Federal Credit Union, 1700 Oak Forest Dr., Onalaska. August 12: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 13: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., SAP Americas Incorporated, 332 Front St S, La Crosse. August 14: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 15: 8:00 a.m. – noon, La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 18: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16.
LISTINGS August 2015 August 25: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 28: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16. August 29: 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16.
FARMER’S MARKETS La Crosse: Wednesdays: 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Jun 3–Oct 28, Bridgeview Plaza Park. Thursdays: 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Jun 25–Oct 29, Hmong National Assistance Association, Ward Ave. Fridays: 4 p.m.–8 p.m., May 1–Oct 30, Cameron Park. Saturdays: 8 a.m.–1 p.m., May 9–Oct 31, Cameron Park (Jul 11 is Double Foodshare Token Day!) Saturdays: 6 a.m.–noon., May 2–Oct 31, City Hall parking Lot. Galesville: Saturdays: 8 a.m.–noon, Jun–Sept, The Square. Holmen: Wednesdays: 3 p.m.–7 p.m., May 27–Oct 28, Holmen Square. La Crescent: Tuesdays: 4 p.m.–7 p.m., mid-May through mid–Oct, Crucifixion School parking lot. Onalaska: Sundays: 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Jun 6–Oct 25, Festival Foods parking lot.
August 3 GROW La Crosse Inspired on the Farm: Aug. 3–5. Kids participate in real farm fun at Deep Roots Community Farm! $130/child (Max. 18 children), www.growlacrosse.org.
August 4 Legg Fish with Beneath the Crow: Root Note, www.facebook.com/ theRootNote. Mississippi Sippin’: Sit on the Minnesota Marine Art Museum Museum’s riverfront for a glass of wine or beer available for purchase from Jefferson Pub and Grill. 5–7:00 p.m., 800 Riverview Dr, Winona, MN, www.mmam.org. Movie Under The Stars: “Despicable Me”: National Night Out with Holmen Police Department. 8:30-10 p.m., Halfway Creek Band Shell, 208 Pool St., Holmen.
August 5 Elizabeth Oness, New Work & Conversation: Winona author and editor presents. Your RSVP is appreciated! 6-7:30 p.m., Sutra Imports, 570 Main St, Dakota, MN, 608-792-764, www.sutraimports.com. Postcards from Hollywood: Aug 5–7, 7:30 p.m., Weber Center for the Performing Arts, www. webercenterfortheperformingarts.org. Preserving Your Family History: Organizing and Preserving Your Family Photos: a four-part series with a focus on helping you recognize and preserve your family’s legacy. This session, “Organizing and Preserving Your Family Photos,” will be presented by Anita Doering. 10-11 a.m., Riverside Museum, 410 E Veterans Memorial Dr., La Crosse, 608-782-1980, www.lchsweb.org.
August 6
West Salem: Wednesdays: 2 p.m. –6 p.m., Jun 3–Oct 14, parking lot of the bike shelter on the corner of Jefferson and Mill St.
upcoming
August 1 Blind Baby Olin: 8 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.
“Wines of Europe” with Todd Wohlert: Purple Feet Wines. Join us in Hackberry’s Bistro from 6:30–7:30 p.m. for a fun and educational evening! Following Todd Wohlert’s presentation, we will sample wine from various regions of Europe paired with European-style cheeses, sliced meats and crusty French breads. Must be 21 and pre-registered for this class! Class tuition: $15 members; $25 nonmembers. People’s Food Co-op, 315 Fifth Avenue South, La Crosse, 608-784-5798.
August 7 orter of
Proud supp
Irishfest La Crosse
Irishfest: Aug 7–9, Celebrate Irish heritage (even if you’re not Irish)! Live music, dance, family entertainment and more! www.irishfestlacrosse.org.
August 8 NASCAR Racing: Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Hornets, Outlawz, Spectacular drags. 4 Tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 beverages for $40 with coupon. 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., www.lacrossespeedway.com. Sonic Cabaret, presented by Irene Keenan Jr.at The Muse Theatre: Female vocalists in the first of an ongoing series about women singing songs about a woman’s work. 7–9 p.m., The Muse Theatre, 1353 Avon St., La Crosse. For ticket information call the box office at 608-397-3852. Voodoo Fix: Take three teenage musicians from totally different backgrounds, put them in an 80’s school bus, lovingly called “Gus the Bus,” along with their closest artistic allies and what results is the collective, restless spirit that has become The Voodoo Fix. 8 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.
Winona: Saturdays: 7:30 p.m. –noon, May 2–Oct, corner of 2nd and Main St. N.
GROW La Crosse event at the Root Note: www.facebook.com/theRootNote.
Queen of the Mississippi Shore Stop: Come to the park to see the beautiful Queen of the Mississippi Steam Boat. The schedule is subject to change according to the unpredictable river conditions. Call ahead to confirm the time. 11-5 p.m., Riverside Park, E Veterans Memorial Dr, La Crosse, 800-658-9424.
Moon Tunes: 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Fayme Rochelle and the Waxwings, Riverside Park.
100 Mile Meal – 3rd Annual: A ‘pop-up’ restaurant led by local chefs Luke Zahm, Dani Lind, Waleed Mahmoud, and sixteen Driftless Folk School students. All featured ingredients are produced within 100 miles of Viroqua, WI. This local and seasonal dinner is collaboration of the Viroqua Food Co-op, Driftless Folk School, Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table, and local farmers. Appetizers and cash bar: 6:30-7 p.m., Dinner: 7 p.m. Dinner Cost: $45 Registration limited. Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table, 219 S. Main St., Viroqua, http://driftlessfolkschool.org/event/100mile-meal.
August 10 Build a Classic Finnish Masonry Heater: Students in this course will build a classic Finnish masonry heater (approx 36” wide x 31” deep and 72” high). This masonry heater will be built with a Solid Rock Masonry Heat Core System. $425 for 5 Day Class, $25 plan and material fee. Class is August 10–14. Driftless Folk School, Viola, www.driftlessfolkschool.org. History on the River Cruise, Capt. Richard Karnath: Steamboat Memories II. Each cruise is 90 minutes and includes light refreshments. Tickets $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Departs Levee Park at 7 p.m., 1 Main St., Winona, MN, 507-454-2723 ext. 0. Queen of the Mississippi Shore Stop: Come to the park to see the beautiful Queen of the Mississippi Steam Boat. The schedule is subject to change according to the unpredictable river conditions. Call ahead to confirm the time. 11-5 p.m., Riverside Park, E Veterans Memorial Dr, La Crosse, 800-658-9424.
August 11 Cooking with seasonal vegetables— Indian style! with Elena Flottmeyer: Hackberry’s Bistro, 5–7 p.m. Join Elena as she prepares the best of summer veggies into delicious Indian cuisine while coaching us on how to cook Indian dishes at home. At least three dishes— pakora, aloo mater, eggplant curry—will be prepared and recipes will be shared! Class tuition: $15 members; $25 nonmembers. People’s Food Co-op, 315 Fifth Avenue South, La Crosse, 608-784-5798.
August 12 CLA Estate Planning Workshop: A free workshop providing valuable information for seniors on securing one’s estate and retirement planning. Receive a workbook and gain useful information you can act upon immediately. 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Days Inn Hotel & Conference Center, La Crosse, 866-252-8721, http://www. claestateservices.com. Preserving Your Family History: “Twenty Reasons to Write Your Personal Family History, and Let’s Begin Now” is the second in a four-part series on Preserving Your Family History. Designed to help you recognize and preserve your family’s legacy. Taught by personal historian and author Susan P. Hessel. Presented by La Crosse County Historical Society at Riverside Museum. 10-11 a.m., 608-782-1980.
August 13 Drumming Circle: 5:30–6:30 p.m., freewill offering, Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St., La Crosse, www.FSCenter.org.
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August 21: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., La Crosse Blood Donation Center, 1431 State Hwy 16.
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LISTINGS August 2015 Winona Arts Camp 2015–Feel the Rhythm: A collaborative and interdisciplinary camp for kids entering grades 2-8 at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. $175/Camper. Early Bird Rates and Scholarships are available. August 13 & 14, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. Registration at www. mnconservatoryforthearts.org. Info at www.mmam.org.
messages. 8 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com.
August 14
August 18
Street Drags: Bring your street car and step up to the challenge of a Street Drag race. 15 Brackets so you go against cars similar to yours. 6-11 p.m. www.lacrossespeedway.com
Mississippi Sippin’: Sit on the Minnesota Marine Art Museum Museum’s riverfront for a glass of wine or beer available for purchase from Jefferson Pub and Grill. 5–7 p.m., 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, www.mmam.org.
2015 Parade of Homes Tour: Presented by the La Crosse Area Builders Association. Thurs. & Fri., 5-8 p.m., Sat. & Sun. noon-5 p.m., August 14–16 and August 20–23. Tickets $8 until August 13th, $10 after. Kids 3 and under free. www.labaparadeofhomes. com.
August 15 Charles Walker Band, Grounded in blues: A refined, unique NeoFunk sound, a fusion of funk, R&B and Motown with melodic pop influences. Compared to an array of musicians (Prince, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, George Clinton, and James Brown), their music retains deep gospel influences and positive lyrical
NASCAR Racing: Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, Street Stox and Figure “8” race. Buck night! All concession items $1, beer $2. Kids box car races (7 p.m.). 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
August 19 Ben Cosgrove with complimentary wine tasting: Ben is a brilliant piano/ keyboard player and multi-instrumentalist who has written several movie scores, five solo albums, and has collaborated with many artists for their albums and shows. 7 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com. Herbs all year! with Nad Geraldson: Learn herb properties, healing characteristics and uses in cooking, baking, fresh foods and tea-making. Nad has grown and processed herbs for years and is excited
to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with others! This hands-on class will focus on how to grow and harvest garden herbs for later use. $10 members; $15 nonmembers, People’s Food Co-op, 315 Fifth Avenue South, La Crosse, 608-784-5798. Rapture/Rupture–Life Along the Mississippi River: Join artist James D. Butler for a discussion about his MMAM exhibition, “Mississippi River Scenes.” This program is free thanks to support from the Ernest and Sally Micek family in memory of W.B. “Bill” Gautsch. 6-7 p.m., www.mmam.org.
August 20 History on the River Cruise: Carol Jefferson—Understanding Islands. Educational cruise aboard the Cal Fremling offering topics about Winona history, the river, the environment and more. Tours are 90 minutes and beverages and a light snack are included. Tickets $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Departs Levee Park at 7 p.m., 1 Main St., Winona, 507-454-2723 ext. 0. Dedrik Clark and the Social Animals: lighthearted yet soulful take on Americana rock featuring bright yet ruggedly intimate songwriting with lush melodies and sunny harmonies. 7 p.m., Trempealeau Hotel, 150 Main St., Trempealeau, 608-534-6898, www.trempealeauhotel.com. 2015 Parade of Homes Tour: Presented by the La Crosse Area Builders Association. Thurs. & Fri., 5-8 p.m., Sat. & Sun. noon-5 p.m., August 14–16 and August 20–23. Tickets $8 until August 13th, $10 after. Kids 3 and under free. www.labaparadeofhomes. com.
August 22
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Mindfulness Practices for Stress Reduction, with presenter Greg Lovell: Learn mindfulness meditation, relaxation exercises and emotional management, 9 a.m. –4 p.m., $45 includes lunch. Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St., La Crosse, 608-791-5295, www.FSCenter.org.
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Threshing Bee: Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, 10 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.. Celebrate an old-time Threshing Bee in a pioneer setting with a variety of demonstrations and dinner. Call 608-452-3424 for tickets, www.norskedalen.org. NASCAR Racing: Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunderstox, and Outlawz. Twin 20 Late Model features. 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. New Amsterdam Grasslands Prairie Hike: Town of Holland. Holmen, www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org. Uff Da Open Memorial Golf Outing: A golf competition in memory of Roger Olson and Layton Nelson, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Westby Snowflake Ski Club, Westby. Lunch following the event at Norskedalen. Pre-registration required, 608-452-3424, www.norskedalen.org.
August 26 La Crosse Soup at the Root Note: A monthly micro-granting and community building event in La Crosse, making La Crosse an even better, cooler, place to live! 6 p.m., 115 4th St. South, La Crosse, 608-782-7668, www.facebook.com/theRootNote/events.
August 27 Bluff Bash!: A celebration of hikers, mountain bikers, runners, volunteers, nature enthusiasts and everyone who loves local trail systems. Grand Opening of the Upper Hixon Forest Pump Track! Guided nature walk and group run. Corn feed, lawn games, Exceptional Volunteerism Award presentation, BYO Picnic, s’mores, pump track ride clinic and more! Bring your family! 6– 9 p.m. Upper Hixon Forest Park, Cty FA, La Crosse. For more info, call La Crosse Parks & Recreation, 608-789-7533.
August 28 30 Seconds in Winona, Film Festival: A free mini film festival consisting of 30 second films. Lake Park Bandshell, Winona, MN, www.frff.org.
August 28-30 Great River Folk Fest: Read about it in this issue of Seven! La Crosse, www.greatriverfolkfest.org. Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities, with Joyce Heil and Carl Koch. Explore questions and wisdom learned about making transitions successfully, 9 a.m. Friday through noon Sunday, $220 for full retreat, $150 for commuters, Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St., La Crosse, www.FSCenter.org, 608-791-5295.
September 6 Labor Day Luau, at Huck Finn’s with Reggae on the River: Free. Musical guest TUGG, www.huckfinnslacrosse.com.
September 8 The Sound of Bowls, with Tom Roberts: Traditional historic Tibetan singing bowls produce sounds that invoke deep states of relaxation, naturally assisting one in entering expanded states of consciousness and meditation. Freewill offering. 5:30-6:30 p.m., Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St., La Crosse, www.FSCenter.org, 608-791-5295.
September 10 Drumming Circle: 5:30-6:30 p.m., freewill offering, Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St., La Crosse, www.FSCenter.org.
LISTINGS August 2015
To add your free volunteer listing, email contact@thesevenspot.com.
American Red Cross - Scenic Bluffs Chapter:
Volunteers can help with blood drives, train for disaster response, teach First Aid/CPR classes, support our Armed Forces, assist at special events and more! 2927 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse; volunteerwestern.wi@redcross.org; 877-618-6628, ext. 5822; www.redcross.org/ wi/la-crosse.
Children’s Museum of La Crosse:
Volunteers are an important part of the Children's Museum team. If you are upbeat, responsible and love kids, volunteer with us! Opportunities include special events, face painting, crafts and games, and much more! 608-784-2652, ext. 226; christina@funmuseum. org; www.funmuseum.org.
Crossfire Youth Center:
Crossfire seeks to transform the lives of local teens by providing safe and fun activities. Volunteer opportunities include assisting in weight lifting, archery, outdoor activities and our Friday night party alternative. 608-784-6565; amanda@crossfire4u.com; crossfire4u.com.
Couleecap, Inc.:
Couleecap helps people in need with housing, food, transportation and more. 201 Melby St., Westby (Serving Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe and Vernon counties); contactus@couleecap. org; www.couleecap.org.
Great Rivers United Way:
Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA):
The Outdoor Recreation Alliance seeks to optimize world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Volunteers are needed for various activities including trail work. www. naturesplacetoplay.com.
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe:
Volunteer needs: gardening, trail maintenance, upkeep of devotional areas, indoor cleaning, greeting visitors. www.guadalupeshrine.org/volunteer.
WAFER Food Pantry:
Opportunities: food packing and stocking, unloading trucks, helping during the food fair, delivery and much more. 403 Causeway Blvd, La Crosse; 608-782-6003; waferfoodpantry@ centurytel.net; waferlacrosse.org.
WisCorps:
WisCorps engages youth and young adults in direct conservation projects on public lands across the state. Volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance, tree planting, event assistance and more! 608-782-2494; staff@wiscorps.org; www.wiscorps.org.
YWCA of the Coulee Region:
Opportunities: special events, adaptive swimming and gardening, and women’s housing program assistance. 608-781-2783, ext.228; mhilligoss@ywcalax.org; ywcalax.org.
Great Rivers United Way Volunteer Center hosts an array of volunteer opportunities. www. ugetconnected.org.
Grow La Crosse:
From garden work to working with children to event help, there’s something for many! www.growlacrosse.org/get-involved.
Habitat for Humanity/ReStore:
Hillview Urban Agriculture Center:
The mission of Hillview is to create a healthy community through a local, sustainable and accessible food system. Volunteer opportunities: Market Baskets, vermicomposting, various gardening tasks, fundraising, grant writing and marketing. 608-786-0338; vicki@vsm5.com; www.hillviewuac.org.
The Hunger Task Force of La Crosse:
Tasks and info: Food Recovery Program—driving for deliveries, sorting, truck loading and unloading, clerical, special event duties; 608-793-1002; lacrossehunger@centurytel.net. Kane St. Community Garden—preparing and planting, weeding, harvesting; 608-386-3319; kanestreetgarden@gmail.com; www.lacrossehtf.org.
Kinstone Academy of Applied Permaculture:
Dedicated to teaching people how to live more sustainably through the use of permaculture principles and design. Critical thinking skills and hands-on practice are core to our offerings. We have volunteer opportunities in the following areas: food forest maintenance, composting, various gardening tasks, various natural building construction projects, stone work, fundraising, grant writing, videography and marketing. 608-687-3332; inquiry@ kinstonecircle.com with VOLUNTEER in the subject; www.KinstoneCircle.com.
La Crescent Animal Rescue:
We are committed to being a no-kill shelter, which means we are always looking for both foster and permanent homes for the animals left in our care. Volunteer tasks: cat and/or dog care, cleaning, clerical and animal transportation. Must be 16 years of age. 523 S. Chestnut St., La Crescent, MN; 507-895-2066; www.lacrescentanimalrescue.blogspot.com
La Crosse Area Family YMCA:
Opportunities include special events, youth sports coaching, Miracle League Baseball Buddies, Teen Center and much more. 608-782-9622; Y-North: 400 Mason St., Onalaska; Y-La Crosse: 1140 Main St., La Crosse; www.laxymca.org.
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The Experience Become a more effective nonprofit leader Gain a better understanding of the nonprofit sector Learn all aspects of nonprofit board work Join nine monthly workshops, September - May Designed for anyone interested in the nonprofit world
Take your service to the next level! Register at www.viterbo.edu/cnld
SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
Building homes for those in need, office work and special events. volunteer@habitatlacrosse. org; 608-785-2375, ext. 1604.
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WRITER’S BLOCK
“
Learning Language, One Bite at a Time
SEVEN | Issue #2 | August, 2015
Briana! Gel, Gel!” With a frantic hand, the Turkish woman beckoned me over with such urgency I dropped the book I was reading and sprang from the sofa to join her on the balcony. A man bellowed from the street below, repeating foreign words I could only assume were a cry for help. I braced both of my hands against the railing and peered anxiously onto the quiet street below, expecting a scene I wasn’t prepared for. Instead, strolling down the middle of the street, a man confidently pushed a rickety, wooden flatbed cart stacked with creamy white blocks wrapped in plastic. My gracious host, Zafer, held her cigarette expertly between her lips while she tossed a basket over the balcony and methodically lowered it down using two hands to guide the rope. She hollered down to the man, who then carved a few chunks off of his wares and put them in the basket. Zafer pointed down at the cart and turned to me. “Peynir,” she enunciated slowly, like a woman teaching her toddler a new word for the first time. I repeated the word, trying my best to emulate her airy ‘r’ sound, as she pulled the basket up. “Aha,” I stated, finally figuring it out, “cheese!” As we nibbled on the samples, we eyed each other inquisitively, pondering which one we liked best. She circled a pointer finger around the basket and cocked her head to the side as if to ask, ‘Well, which one should we buy?’ I pointed at a salty, crumbly nugget that resembled feta and answered with what had come to be my catchphrase for all things I liked: “Çok güzel.” With that, she placed a couple of Turkish Lira coins into the basket, and we were soon rewarded with a giant hunk of fresh, glorious cheese. Needless to say, as a pure-bred Wisconsinite, I was in heaven. Here I was sampling cheese on a sunny balcony a few blocks away from the Mediterranean, comfortably wearing a skirt in January. Life was good. But I still struggled with the awkwardness of the language barrier that had stacked concrete walls around me. I had bought a plane ticket to spend a month with a guy I became enamored with during a stint abroad, with the hopes of us frolicking on the beach, lingering over tea in quaint cafes, and maybe smoking a hookah here and there. But I had ignored one tiny detail: This was real life, and he worked a full-time job. So instead, I spent many hours munching clementines and catching up on Turkish soap operas with his mom, Zafer. Truthfully, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. “Zafer” or “victory” in Turkish is almost always a man’s name, with the
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By: Briana Rupel
Friends, Flavor & Fun A destination for relaxing with friends, delectable Tapas dining, wonderful libations and special events that make for a truly memorable experience every time you visit.
100 Harborview Plaza La Crosse, WI 54601 www.4sisterslacrosse.com
exception of this exuberant and strong-willed woman I had come to love like an aunt. She was born on August 30th; Victory Day in Turkey, a day commemorating one of the most decisive battles in the Turkish War of Independence. It was on this day that the Ottoman Empire crumbled, and the secular nation of Turkey was born. Fittingly, included in first president Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s reforms were huge gains in women’s rights, including equality in the workplace and the right to vote. To me, though, Zafer was victorious because she raised two thoughtful and smart boys by herself after being widowed too young. She was also one hell of a boss in the kitchen. Of course, I wanted to tell her these things, but the extent of my Turkish dabbled in numbers, colors, the essential pleasantries, and — most importantly — how to ask for a strong coffee without milk and how to order a beer that’s dark. That and Çok güzel, which I had come to learn was a response for everything from telling a woman she looks beautiful to complimenting someone on their cooking. Yet I never found Çok güzel to truly be adequate enough to compliment the incredible meals I had during my stay. I can still taste the steamy, beefy broth of a soup that held tiny, meat-filled sacs of pasta, so pretty and delicate, they should’ve had thin gold ribbons tied around each one of them; beautiful purple eggplant stuffed to the brim with a delectable concoction of spicy meat and rice; various vibrant salads and salsas showcasing every color of the rainbow as an accompaniment to browned lamb. It’s customary in Turkey to treat guests like family, and that graciousness did not escape me. Yet I got pangs of Midwestern guilt every time Zafer insisted that I sit down and not lift a finger. So I did what my mother had taught me as soon as I started having dinner at friends’ houses as a young girl: Always ask if you can help... especially in the kitchen. Entering Zafer’s kitchen while she was cooking, I felt like a little girl spying from the staircase on an adult party I had no business being a part of it, but she entertained my curiosity and accepted my willingness to help. She held up a cooked chickpea in between her thumb and forefinger. “Nohut,” she instructed. I repeated the word, committing it to memory, and followed her direction on the secret to achieving the creamiest hummus: rolling the legume between your fingers to get the tough skin off. On one of my last days in the country, I was trying to dissect the afternoon news report when Zafer came into the parlor with a bowl of rice filling and a plate of grape leaves. Steve Jobs was on TV blowing minds across the world with his iPhone prototype. I turned my attention to her as she scooped a perfectly-sized palmful of the rice mixture and rolled it up effortlessly, tight and plump, like a giant dark green cigar. Now it was my turn. I awkwardly tried to tuck in the edges, and the filling spilled out of the sides like a sad, squashed bug. We both paused and stared at the mess on the plate. When she broke out into gregarious laughter, I couldn’t help but do the same. She pointed eagerly at the pouch of tobacco I had brought and made the rolling motion with her fingers, wordlessly instructing me to make it tighter, the way I had done every time I rolled a cigarette for us. I got to work as she retired to the kitchen to start some tea. When she came back later with two tiny cups, I had five uniform little yaprak sarması on the plate in front of me. “Ah!” Zafer exclaimed in delight. I beamed with pride as she patted me on the back. “Çok güzel,” she smiled.
(608) 782-8213
Briana Rupel is a born and bred Wisconsinite. She is continually inspired by the Seven Rivers Region’s natural beauty, the talent of its local musicians and the stories of everyday people.
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BLUFF BASH!
A celebration of everyone who loves local trails!
AUGUST 27 6-9 pm
Grand Opening of the Upper Hixon Forest Pump Track! Guided nature walk and group run. Corn feed, lawn games, BYOPicnic, s’mores, Exceptional Volunteerism Award presentation, LIVE music, pump track ride clinic & demo!
With our Patient Online Services, you can review your health information right from your computer. Access your lab results, clinical notes, medication list and other portions of your medical record. Communicate directly with your care team through secure messaging, request prescription renewals and schedule appointments. All when it’s convenient for you.
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Upper Hixon Forest Park, Cty FA, La Crosse. Info...}Call 608.789.7533 172-002 © 15J07
Dine-in or Take-out Mon-Fri 11a-9p Sun Closed
At The Hive, on the corner of 10th & State, La Crosse In business 13 years!
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SEVEN | thesevenspot.com |
Hmong, Thai, Laotian, Vietnamese Cuisine
31
Your home for spiritual direction. Featuring writing and art workshops, nature journaling, drum making, yoga classes and more. All are welcome! 608-791-5295
www.FSCenter.org
920 Market Street, La Crosse
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BIG RESULTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS Contact Debbie Lee today for an insurance review and receive a
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509 Main St La Crosse, WI 608.782.8227
706 16th St. So, La Crosse (608) 782-1987 | www.ranisons.com
Mon-Fri: 10-7 Saturday: 10-6 Sunday: 12-4
Inspire. Create. Imagine.
More than just rubber stamps!
Call about class offerings
Featuring functional art by Janet Mattison-Prise
200 S. 4th St., La Crosse | (608) 784-1234 | www.rubberstampslacrosse.com
Candy Outlet Store
10% off any purchase over $10! Fresh fudge. Premium bulk domestic and imported candies, nuts, and confectioneries.
1012 S. 19th St. La Crosse (In Jackson Plaza) Tues-Fri 9a-6p Sat 9a-1:30p Closed Sun & Mon
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