Scene Newspaper - Fond du Lac - January 2015

SCENE FOND DU LAC EDITION | WWW.SCENENEWSPAPER.COM | JANUARY 2015

VOLUNTARY 75¢

Al Jarreau...still wowing at 74!

Fond du Lac Distributors, Inc. Supplying building materials to Fond du Lac and the surrounding area for over 27 years!

Visit our showroom!

1160 W. Scott St. Fond du Lac 920-921-1600

We value your trust...

Fond du Lac Distributors, Inc. is a local, family owned business in their third generation of distributing major brands of roofing, siding, windows and door materials.

JOB OPENING

We are looking to hire a full-time on-the-road salesperson. Knowledge of the siding/roofing trade a plus. Job requires excellent people person skills. Position consists of stopping at job sites and meeting with contractors for material needs, taking off blueprints for material quoting and ordering. Some Saturday mornings a possibility during the summer. We offer a competitive wage package, vacation, holiday pay, health & dental insurance, IRA program.

Stop in at 1160 West Scott Street to fill out an application and/or submit your resume.

Fond du Lac Distributors, Inc. 1160 West Scott Street Fond du Lac, WI 54937 920-921-1600 www.fdldistributors.com Visit us on Facebook 2 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

Happy New Year Wishes from Culvers!

Come on in to your local Culver’s restaurant: Culver’s of Fond du Lac - E. Johnson 969 E. Johnson Street Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (920) 922-5559

Culver’s of Oshkosh - Koeller 1580 S. Koeller Street Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 231-6028

Culver’s of Fond du Lac - Hwy. 23 W6606 Hwy. 23 Fond du Lac, WI 54937 (920) 922-2272

Culver’s of Oshkosh - Westowne 2270 Westowne Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54904 (920) 231-6019

Culver’s of Fond du Lac - Pioneer 81 W. Pioneer Road Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (920) 922-2826

culvers.com January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 3

SCENE

FOND DU LAC EDITION

20 52 6 SCENE STAFF

Publisher James Moran • 920.418.1777 jmoran@scenenewspaper.com Editor Michael Casper • 920.344.0036 mcasper@scenenewspaper.com Ad Director Greg Doyle • 920.251.8944 gregdtdoyle@yahoo.com Graphic Designer Ericka Kramer-Baker • 920.602.2297 ebaker@scenenewspaper.com

CONTRIBUTORS Nick Olig James Page Will Stahl Barb Sauer Blaine Schultz Jane Spietz Scherryl Antoniadis Marty in the Morning Peg Lautenschlager Ron La Point Rohn Bishop Tony Palmer Robert E. Meyer

Penny BarnardSchaber Michael Mentzer Ryan Koenigs Dick Nikolai Donna Vanbuecken Tricia Derge Kimberly Fisher Renee DuFore Russell Steve Lonsway Davies Wakefield

Calumet INC.

PO Box 227 • Chilton, WI 53014 • 920-849-4551 Advertising deadline for February is January 20 at 5 p.m. Submit ads to ads@scenenewspaper.com.

The SCENE is published monthly by Calumet Press, Inc. The SCENE provides news and commentary on politics, current events, arts and entertainment, and daily living. We retain sole ownership of all non-syndicated editorial work and staff-produced advertisements contained herein. No duplication is allowed without permission from Calumet Press, Inc. 2014.

4 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

COVER STORY 6

Al Jarreau... Still Making Music

ENTERTAINMENT 9 11 12 14 16 18 20 22

Wedding Vendors Converge Nick Olig Live from Japan Destination Iola Electronic Devices Postcards from Milwaukee Concert Watch Jan 2015 What’s the Good Word

NEWS & VIEWS 26 29 30 32 34 36 39

Just Sayin’ Cost of College Then and Now Rohn’s Rants Media Rants Right Wing Nut In Penny’s Words

OUTDOORS

Cover Design: Ericka Kramer-Baker

PRESS

CONTENTS

40 Winter’s Fun in the Cold 42 2015 Sturgeon Spearing 44 Winnebago Nature

FOOD & DRINK 46 Tricia’s Table 48 From The Wine Cave 51 ‘Fantasy’ Event 52 Brewmaster 54 Wild Mushroom Risotto

EVENT CALENDARS 58 Big Events

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January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 5

COVER STORY // AL JARREAU...STILL MAKING MUSIC

Al Jarreau...Still Making Music

BY JAMIE LEE RAKE “What I haven’t done yet is my next studio project.”

So says Al Jarreau, Wisconsin’s most internationally recognized name when it comes to jazz singing when asked of his future plans. Mind, the man’s musical career goes back over a half-century, and he’s at the age when many men are in their dotage or greeting at WalMart. Retire?

The only way the word may enter his vocabulary now is getting a good night’s sleep.

Speaking with Jarreau not only enthuses one about music, but life generally. His speaking voice bubbles with the same kind of peaceful vivacity as that characterizes his singing. And about the next album to showcase his vocal instrument, he envisions, “a little jazz, a little pop... just a keyboard player, or several keyboard players.”

That kind of sparsity in arrangement’s not dissimilar from other sessions Jarreau has committed to posterity, but significantly out of character from his first recorded work. It was those mid-1960’s 45’s he made for the Raynard label in his hometown of Milwaukee that led me to my first conversation with Jarreau earlier this year for a book chapter about the city’s R&B history. But those early sides in the ‘danceably’ uptempo manner of contemporaneous Motown and Okeh sides weren’t ever where his heart was.

“I grew up in family of jazz fans,” he says of the music that has touched his soul the deepest. Amidst the Duke Ellington’s, Nat “King” Cole’s and other jazzbo giants of the era to be heard in his house and the nightspots in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood of his youth, there was another influence born of his parents’ work. “My dad was a minister, and my mother was a church pianist. My older brother sang in quartets that sang in my living room.” So, there’s gospel in Jarreau’s roots as well.

Theology, and the action it effects didn’t play into our conversation but it’s easy to hear positivity and appreciation for people in his voice. And he knows how he has been 6 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

‘gifted’ can help others. “Music heals. It lifts people up,”Jarreau beams, relating his art to a kind of emotional path-finding to which his listeners relate. “We (musicians) find sensitivities other people don’t find.”

He ponders regarding the soulfulness of the people representing him at the state and national levels, “I’ll bet those people in Washington have never sung in a church choir!” Ecclesiastical metaphor informs his talk of people’s everyday involvement with music as well. “There’s somebody talking about Thursday night rehearsal with the church choir...they can’t wait!...That’s what

we can celebrate, even those who don’t have international careers. Making music makes you a nice neighbor.”

If Jarreau speaks idealistically of the place of his art form in the context of community, he doesn’t lack reason to do so. A calendar full of concerts throughout the globe, an extension of the stereotype of jazz elders finding more fervid audiences abroad than their U.S. home turf includes music workshops in Budapest and performance dates in Hamburg, Rome, and London. Though he had occasionally reached the upper reaches of the domestic

pop chart in the ‘80s, Jarreau’s strengths may be best appreciated by listeners with broad palettes for refined tastes. In bringing his work, including this year’s tribute album, to Jarreau’s renowned former bass player collaborator and multiple genre mainstay, My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke (Concord) to the globe, he abets a sort of international understanding among kindred souls better than the U.N. could ever hope to accomplish.

But his is an industriousness rooted in his Wisconsin upbringing. “It’s in my bones. I grew up with that work ethic that comes from the heart of Germany, Sweden and Poland. I’ve missed less than three days of school or work in my life. Milwaukee isn’t the only city contributing to his noseto-the-grindstone perseverance, either.

Ripon made an impact as well.

“Boys State was an exercise in local and state government, but happens at Ripon College. High school juniors are invited for a stay, and practice local government.

I was governor at Boys State,” Jarreau says of the experience that led to his receipt of a scholarship he used toward his degree in social work...”which I lost in a year, but I picked up a basketball scholarship.” Also, he went shared the campus with actor Harrison Ford, a Ripon student at the time of Jarreau’s tenure there.

For all of his love for the state of his birth and its contributions to his career, he would still like at least a couple shows of reciprocation. Even with the city’s abundance of jazz on more than one radio station and numerous club nights monthly, “I still haven’t found a way to play Madison!” Jarreau exclaims with understandable frustration.

It’s not merely the mysterious reluctance of the genre gatekeepers in the capitol city, though. “We’re just going through such a drought and famine of adult music.

Promoters are scared to death. It’s having an effect on the artists and the ability (of the public) to see them,” Jarreau said.

The recession and a concert market rife with acts possessed of more apparent youth appeal don’t get him down, though.

Without talking himself up out of egotism, he knows he provides an inspirational

AL JARREAU

•Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin •Attended Ripon College earning a BS in Psychology - 1962 •Earned a Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the U. of Iowa •Worked as a rehab counselor in San Francisco and moonlighted in a jazz trio •1968 he made music his primary occupation •1975 he released debut album “We Got By” winning a German Grammy •Wrote and performed the theme to the TV show Moonlighting starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd •He’s won 7 Grammy’s domestically •2003 he began touring and performing with orchestral symphonies •He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame •His latest of more than 22 albums is a tribute to George Duke •He still tours and performs live •aljarreau.com

example, “People from Wisconsin and Milwaukee need to hear about people from Wisconsin doing good,” he smiles.

Comparing the effect Prince has had on Minneapolis’ culture and bringing it to a wider listenership, Jarreau says of yours truly and Scene’s readership, “It’s so important for me to talk to good people like you.”

As it is for local music fans to remember home state guys-made-good, like Al Jarreau.

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January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 7

8 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

ENTERTAINMENT // WEDDING VENDORS

Wedding Vendors Converge for Brides-To-Be January 8th The first wedding show of the season happens Thursday, January 8th at the Holiday Inn in Fond du Lac. The area’s largest and most convenient wedding planning expo, Bridal Faire 2014, will boast over 40 wedding vendors and an interactive fashion show featuring designer gowns and tuxedos from Edith’s and Tuxedo Junction. Attendees will have a chance to win amazing prizes including $250 to Wood’s Floral and $500 in free airfare from Delta Airlines and 96-1 TCX. Bridal Faire 2014 is a one stop shop for engaged couples to get a hand’s-on sample of all wedding goods and services. The show is in it’s 16th year and attracts hundreds annually. “We have worked very hard to

organize this event to make it convenient and comfortable for the attendee as well as give the vendor as many leads as possible,” says event organizer, Terry Davis of Sunny 97-7 and 96-1 TCX. “We maximize the space, but the show has such an amazing reputation, we have to turn away vendors each year.” Drawings will be held at the vendor booths for free items and discounts on wedding products and services.

Besides browsing the interactive wedding booths in the Holidome, attendees have the opportunity to take in a wedding fashion show put on by Edith’s of Fond du Lac, Edith’s Tuxedo Junction and Texture Salon. Edith’s fashion show has gone on

for over 30 years. Models will take the stage in a wide variety of wedding styles from ring bearer to brides and will inspire fashion and beauty ideas.

Bridal Faire 2015 is held on Thursday, January 8th at the Fond du Lac Holiday Inn. Doors open at 4pm and the fashion show begins at 7. Advance sale tickets are available in advance at Edith’s Br i d a l d ow n t ow n Fond du Lac, for $6 until noon on January 8th. Tickets at the door of the event are $10. For more information go to www. radioplusinfo.com

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10 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

ENTERTAINMENT // NICK OLIG

So, It’s Come to This: A Writer’s Self-Interview

BY NICK OLIG Short of roaming the streets, hollering through a megaphone—which is really more of a summer activity—there is little I won’t do to promote a book I wrote.

When I relayed this sentiment to my editor at Scene, his response was unexpected. In essence, he said, “Go interview yourself.”

I took that as a positive since there were worse words he could have used in place of “interview.”

Since I self-published More Stories, and Additional Stories, I suppose the next logical step in publicity is to self-interview.

Right?! Honestly, I’m just trying to figure life out as I go along.

Now, before readers lose their patience and dare me to do something to myself that has nothing to do with interviewing, it’s worth noting that before I begrudgingly settled for me, the top three Q & A maestros I had in mind were Conan, Oprah, and my own mother. All three declined and threatened a lawsuit if I ever called them again. I kid! She is a truly amazing woman worthy of infinite gratitude... and now that I think of it, the same goes for my mom.

My fourth choice was, at least, willing to talk to me—and so here we go.

N.O. 1: Thanks for setting aside an hour or so to do this interview.

N.O. 2: You’re welcome. Once we realized that we both have Wednesday nights free, the puzzle pieces just sort of fell in place.

N.O. 1: Let’s get down to brass tacks, Nick. To promote More Stories, and Additional Stories, is there some kind of an ugly jumble of letters that can be put on this page, newspaper or otherwise?

N.O. 2: I’m so glad you asked that question. Yes. http://www.amazon.com/ More-Stories-Additional-Nick-Oligebook/dp/B00PJB4XPS N.O. 1: Whoa! It looks like the alphabet got into a car wreck and then staggered out, spewing characters.

N.O. 2: I never thought of it that way...

N.O. 1: Do you remember stuff about the book that you could—oh, I don’t know... maybe describe to people?

N.O. 2: Definitely. It’s a collection of funny short stories, loosely formatted like a newspaper. That means it’s sectioned into topics one might find in a newspaper: Top Stories, Entertainment, Local News, Opinion, Personal Ads, Obituary, and Bottom Stories. And within every chapter, I’m mostly trying to get laughs, but a lot of sincere emotions and revelatory thoughts went into the book as well, and so everyone who reads the book will ideally laugh, think, and have their emotions moved.

In a quirky way, the book was partially inspired by Jim Valvano’s “Don’t ever give up” speech.

N.O. 1: I’m sorry man, but what the hell kind of a summary is that?

N.0. 2: Well, there are 34 different stories (plus a foreword by my editor, Tyler Maas, who was incredibly helpful throughout the process), and each story has its own summary, so that’s where it gets tricky to summarize everything. I can give you examples, though. “The Cat Lady and the Munsons,” one of the Top Stories, is about childhood adventures, sneaking into the soon-to-be condemned house of a mythical cat lady in my best friend’s neighborhood, having slam dunk contests on an adjustable hoop with mini-basketballs, and staging X-Men battles at the park, pretending to be superheroes alongside the incorrigible Munsons, who really set the bar high when it came to bad behavior.

N.O. 1: I trust you just a little bit more. Go on...

N.O. 2: In the Entertainment section, I deliver stories about TV shows, movies, and popular music. There’s one called “Billy Joel Is My Generation’s Dad,” which I like to think is a pretty self-explanatory title for the children of Baby Boomers.

Local News shows my fondness for the kind of fake news one gets from The Onion or Weekend Update. I included a story about a vacuum cleaner outlet going out of business. During his final commercial, the owner laments that he just wanted to compete with Dirt Devil, which isn’t necessarily a bad idea, only he misguidedly named his vacuum line Soil Satan, and his store became swarmed with Satanists and Christians protesting each other.

N.O. 1: Whoa. I like it but it sounds

pretty bonkers. Maybe dial down the crazy a tad.

N.O. 2: Sure. Admittedly, I do have some satirical, offbeat tendencies, but redemption is very important to me as well.

I write a couple kooky yet heartfelt letters to my three-year-old nephew, explaining to him the realities of Santa and the plight of the Chicago Cubs. Another one, “The Mario 2 Outlook,” gets goofy-philosophical and explains why daydreamers and misfits have long-preferred Mario 2 to its more popular counterparts for the Nintendo.

“The Appendix Is a Lazy Psycho” is in there because the vermiform appendix needs to be protested. Finally, the Bottom Stories are the most personal and vulnerable pieces I’ve done so far. That’s part of the reason why I originally wanted Oprah to be on the other side of this interview.

N.O. 1: Well, we’re stuck with each other, so deal with it. This is better than nothing, right?

N.O. 2: That’s true! And it’s a nice segue to an endearing theme of the book: Something is better than nothing. So, learn to love something, because nothing is for nihilists, and nobody is worse than a nihilist. In the Bottom Stories, especially, I wanted to acknowledge all the heartache and resentment in this world, and still affirm that it’s all completely, 100% worth the trouble.

N.O. 1: That’s beautiful. You know, at first I thought you were a flaky smart-ass, but I’ve warmed up to you—so much so that I’m going to try to set you up on a hot date.

N.O. 2: Awesome. I’ll shower and brush my teeth and be polite and everything. But I should pass along that if she hates The Simpsons, then there’s a good chance the date would be doomed.

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101 North Main, FDL (Next to Hopper’s) 933-6003 • Kitchen open daily 7 am January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 11

ENTERTAINMENT // LIVE FROM JAPAN

Game of the Month: Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom

BY JAMES PAGE theplayerspage@yahoo.com Developer: Little Orbit ESRB: Everyone 10+ Release Date: 11/18/2014 System: Nintendo 3DS/PC/PlayStation 3/ PlayStation Vita/Xbox 360 Rating: Graphics: 3.0 out of 4.0 Game Play: 3.0 out of 4.0 Personal: 2.0 out of 2.0 Total Score: 8.0 out of 10.

Player’s Page: “Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom” It’s time for an adventure, so grab your friends and travel to the very distant land of the Nameless Kingdom. This scenic kingdom is perfect for anyone who seeks adventure, the product of many hours of hard work from the kingdom’s three benefactors: Lullaby Princess,

Slumber Princess, and Nightmare Princess.

Visitors to the kingdom will be able to line their pockets with riches by battling fearsome foes while exploring lively forests, tall mountains, dark caves, and dangerous dungeons. Adventurers will meet and swap stories with old friends, and if they are lucky, they may be granted an audience with one of the kingdom’s three princesses.

Jake the Dog and Finn the Human have been dispatched to the Nameless Kingdom

by Princess Bubblegum in order to investigate rumors of a disturbing event that have reached the ears of those in the Candy Kingdom. The time has come for the Nameless Kingdom to gain a name and have one ruler. However, on the eve of this historic event all three sisters have disappeared.

Without the three sisters the kingdom has begun to sink into chaos and if the princesses are not found the kingdom will face disastrous consequences from which it will not be able to recover.

Trouble finds Finn and Jake shortly after they arrive in the Nameless Kingdom. After a night spent camping by a river, Finn wakes up to discover Jake has joined the princesses on the list of disappearances. Finn must now brave the dangers of the Nameless Kingdom to find not only the missing princesses but also his best friend.

With his cursed grass sword in hand, Finn sets out alone into the wilderness to find Jake, rescue the three princesses, and punish whomever is responsible for all the bizarre events. A

world of adventure, danger, and excitement awaits Finn and Jake in the Nameless Kingdom but they must be on guard; for all is not as it seems, and the most unexpected things can cause the most trouble.

“Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom” is an action adventure title developed by WayForward and Little Orbit. The game puts players into the shoes of Finn the Human from the show Adventure Time. The player will be able to explore the Nameless Kingdom and delve into its system of caves and dungeons all while battling a series of monsters and solving puzzles. While exploring the world the player will be able to upgrade their weapons, armor, and health as well as collect items and power-ups to help them in their quest. In many ways the game is very reminiscent, both from a game play and graphical design standpoint, of the “2D Legend of Zelda” games.

The controls are straightforward and easy

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ENTERTAINMENT // LIVE FROM JAPAN

to manage, allowing the player to quickly access a sword, shield, special power, and up to two items. These actions can be combined to overcome any foe or puzzle which will be encountered during the game, and although many of the items and their upgrades are optional towards the completion of the game, obtaining them will make situations easier and offer new ways to tackle obstacles.

The environments in the game are beautifully designed and help to add a cartoon feel to the game-play experience. The angled top down 2D view creates a game that feels familiar to older video games but offers new elements.

The character sprite design may be a bit simple when compared to the complexity

of the world design, but the quality of their movement and conversation animations more than make up for any perceived shortcomings.

“Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom” is an enjoyable game which provides a nice experience without being too challenging. The trading mini-games and item collection quests help to add an extra element of depth to the game, but even with these extras the game is still a relatively short experience, coming in at between 8 and 12 hours for a complete play through.

The game is full of the humor that made Adventure Time popular, and many hours can be spent finding references to the show and meeting characters from different parts of Ooo who have decided to travel to the Nameless Kingdom. Anyone who plays “Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom” will be pleased with the time spent playing this fun game, and by the end of the game the player will quickly realize that a kingdom ruled by a princess who loves Jai Alai can be an amazing place to visit.

Remember, like all games if you play them just to have fun there will never be a bad game.

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 13

ENTERTAINMENT // DESTINATION IOLA

Worth the Drive: Iola Winter Sports Club

BY WILL STAHL People are familiar with the idea of downhill skiing as a destination sport, and it’s not unusual to hear them say they are going to Brule, Granite Peak, Indianhead or even Colorado. When the subject of cross-country skiing comes up, and I ask where they go, it is most often the city park, the golf course or even their backyards. Here in the Fox Valley, we have any number of options for nearby skiing, Bubolz Nature Preserve, Appleton’s Reid Golf Course and Plamann County Park, to name just a few.

But cross-country skiing has for many years been developing destinations of its own and some very good ones are located just a short drive from the Valley and many of the other communities reached by the SCENE. What is the appeal of driving an hour or two to cross country ski? Simply it comes down to an experience the local

places can’t quite match: consistently good grooming, great scenery and miles of varied trail. Eight or ten such places are within two hours of the Fox Valley and particular ones are even closer to Green Bay, Fond du Lac and Stevens Point.

One of the best is the trail system maintained by the Iola Winter Sports Club, a about seven miles north of the Norwegian-flavored village of Iola. For full disclosure, most years I have a membership in the club, but I had decided it was a favorite long before I joined.

To get some background I sat down with club President and chief groomer Phil Johnsrud during a snowless slack time.

The Iola Winter Sports Club is nearly 110 years old. “We have meeting minutes back to 1904,” Johnsrud told me. Previously, it had a couple of other locations, but it has been in its present one since the 1950s. It began as a ski jumping club––one of a number started by Norwegian immigrants to the Midwest––and remained so

14 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

until the early 1970s.

The increasing popularity of crosscountry skiing prompted the club to add

that activity, mostly at first to provide funding for the jumping program.

Johnsrud moved to the Iola area in

ENTERTAINMENT // DESTINATION IOLA

1976 and took up cross-country skiing.

At first the trails were just “skied in,” users making tracks that those coming after could follow. Then club members began grooming using light-duty snowmobiles not meant for the purpose with improvised equipment for rolling and tracking.

“We had an old trailer out of which we sold the trail passes and a wooden clubhouse where equipment was stored.” After the clubhouse burned down, taking all the existing grooming gear with it, the club began a slow upgrade to equipment made for the purpose.

Today the club owns about 230 acres of land with access to another 100 acres.

The trails include an inside mile and a half “green loop,” suitable for beginners, a three-mile intermediate “blue loop,” and a six-mile “black loop” with some screamingly fast descents and some heart-pounding climbs. These loops overlap in places and are joined by connectors and cut-offs, so exact trail length is hard to calculate, but Johnsrud estimates it’s around 12-14 kilometers. A loop was added in 2013 on some newly purchased land, and this past summer Johnsrud supervised the construction of about another mile of trail. “And we have expansion possibilities,” he added.

“We’ve purchased 72 acres in the last seven years.”

When I asked him to what he attributed his success as a groomer, Johnsrud said, “The first rule is like the Hippocratic Oath, ‘First do no harm.’ You have to watch what’s coming out the back end of the groomer. If you’re bringing up dirt, leaves or rocks, it’s not the right time to groom.”

“People expect good conditions now, and they complain if it’s a little slow.” Fresh snow is always slow, as the crystals are sharp. He keeps working the snow every couple of days and it becomes very fast.

Currently, the club has about three hundred members, and it is slowly growing. An important factor in club growth was putting up lights. “That tripled our membership,” Johnsrud said. Four miles of trail are lit by 110 very efficient highpressure sodium vapor lights. Any club member is entitled to turn them on.

On a typical winter weekend, the club may have up to 150 sign-ins for day use, not including the members. Many come from some distance, the Fox Valley and Stevens Point, or from even farther. Long

experience has taught me that Iola often has skiable snow when the Fox Valley has only bare ground.

Johnsrud is proud of the IWSC’s Youth League. It begins with activities for kids aged 2-9. They meet on Saturday morning from 10 AM to noon to ski cross country. At noon ski jumping practice begins for those interested. When they reach fifth grade, kids can join the team, which competes with other teams from across the state.

The ski team draws from a fairly large area; most of the kids are currently from Stevens Point. They usually have a meet a week, maybe a dozen or more over the course of the winter.

The ski jumping program is a low point now, but they are hoping to build it up.

“In the past we’ve had kids reach the Junior Olympics,” Johnsrud said, “but its not a sport in which Americans are world class.”

The club has five jumps, ranging from five meters to 60 meters, the designations representing the distance a trained jumper might be expected to travel in the air.

The ski jumping events of the Badger State Winter Games are held at Iola the first weekend in February.

The Iola Winter Sports Club is completely private––they receive no funding from any level of government. It operates entirely on money received from memberships, trail passes, donations, and various events. A spring mountain bike race draws over 600 participants (mountain biking is not otherwise permitted) and they are sponsors of the Iola Old Car show.

“It’s been a lot of fun here,” Johnsrud said. “I like solving problems and looking after the mechanicals.” Long may he groom those trails.

For directions and further information about Iola, go to iolawintersportsclub.org.

Fo r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t o t h e r cross-country ski destinations in the upper Midwest go to skinnyski.com and click on “Trails.”

54th Annual Ski Jumping, Lutefisk Supper & Craft Fair

FEBRUARY 6-8, 2015 FRIDAY, FEB. 6, 2015

6 pm: Fat Bike Race - Iola Winter Sports Club

IOLA, WI

SATURDAY, FEB. 7, 2015 8 am - Noon: Ice Sculpting - Iola-Scandinavia H.S. 10 am - 1 pm: Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Iola (ages 16 & under) - Presented by Iola Lake District

Iola Winter Sports Club is located at:

E398 County Rd MM - Iola, WI 54945

www.iolawintersportsclub.org 715-445-3411 Event Sponsored by: Iola Lions Club The American Legion Sheveland-

Taylor Post 14 Iola Winter Sports Club and Iola Lioness Club

1 pm - 6:30 pm: Norwegian Lutefisk Supper &

Indoor Craft Sale - Iola Scandinavia H.S. 2 pm: Crowning The Queen of Snows -

Iola-Scandinavia H.S.

2 pm: Skijoring - Iola Winter Sports Club 6 pm: Iola Twilight Snowshoe Race -

Iola Winter Sports Club

For More Information Contact: PO Box 1, Iola, WI 54945 715-445-4005

SUNDAY, FEB. 8, 2015

Noon: Central Ski Jumping Championships

- Iola Winter Sports Club

CRYSTAL CAFE

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126 N. Main Iola, WI (715) 445-9227 Open 6:30 am-7pm January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 15

ENTERTAINMENT // ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Electronic Devices – Necessary Evil?

BY BARB SAUER Have you ever seen someone glued to his or her electronic device, and wondered, “Why don’t you go outside? You should get out of the house and go somewhere with your friends.”

Certainly cell phones, pads, and video games can suck people away from socializing and living life through real experiences.

I’m beginning to feel they have become one of those “necessary evils of society.”

However, I recently found an occasion where a technology gadget enhanced my social experience. I was having lunch with a close friend, when in walked a man: he looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

Suddenly, I said, “Oh, my gosh, he looks exactly like that guy.”

My friend looked confused. My look told her I knew she didn’t have E.S.P. Then I tried explaining, “You know, the guy in that Meryl Streep movie. Um, uh, the one

with “the dingo ate my baby.” My friend got up to speed, but both of us were still stumped, as we couldn’t recall the name of the movie, let alone the actor. We sat for a while in frustrated silence trying to remember, then I googled it. In a moment, I had a picture to share and we both agreed, yes, he did look exactly like Sam Neill who played the husband, Michael, in A Cry in the Dark.

Thus, weird as it may sound, I’ve come to appreciate that electronic devices can be good tools in social situations, especially when you feel as if you may be suffer-

16 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

ing from the early onset of dementia. Of course, it does mean you have to remember where you put that smart phone and what buttons to push.

Another example: Ever go on a museum tour with a docent? The added level of insight enriches your visit. Granted, the social interaction with a real person sharing those insights is part of the positive experience. However, what museum can afford that level of personalization? So years ago, museums came up with clunky audiocassette tours. You donned big, uncomfortable head- sets and walked around, always at an extra fee.

Now, many national parks and renowned museums have information apps, for free! A visitor can dial up or scan a QR code––those crazy checkerboard-like blackand-white boxes you see on signs nowadays.

Although you don’t get to socialize with the docent, at least you get great information, delivered in a more engaging format than just reading the signage.

A number of years ago, when working at the Paper Discovery Center, I realized this technology came to the Fox Valley. Harold Miller, a board member of both the Paper Discovery Center and Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, was the cross-pollinator. Tracey Koenig, the executive director of Heckrodt, was the early adopter and more than willing to help coach the Paper Discover Center on how to set up an audio tour. For a number of years, people could use their cell phones to listen to more information about plants, animals, and wetlands at Heckrodt, and about the exhibits at Paper Discovery Center. I’m guessing other places in the Valley use this tool too.

Light up the Fox is excited to announce that we’ve added such an “Info App” to this year’s Riverfront Light Display on Water Street in Appleton (Dec 20 – Feb 11 / Thomas Edison’s birthday). And we’ve discovered that catering not only to the basic cell phone but also to the ever-morepopular smart phone makes the tool and technology even better.

The info app lets us share audio record-

ings telling the story behind the project, the students who built the displays, and how it all connects to Fox River history. With the smart phone technology, we can also share pictures, videos, and related links.

Many of the videos are from River Time, a wonderful, professionally produced video documentary that tells many facets of Fox River history. The volunteer group, VISTA – Volunteers in Service to Appleton, released this video on VHS in 1990. For years it has been part of the curriculum in the Appleton Area School District and beyond. I recall the phone discussion with Gerald Fisher, the executive producer of River Time, when I asked permission to post segments of the video on YouTube so we could reference them in our events and scavenger hunts.

He was joyfully excited about sharing the work with more people. VISTA consisted of volunteers with a passion for the Fox River and Appleton history, and a desire to showcase this passion and educate others.

One of the video’s narrators, Jack Valacek, was an outstanding volunteer at the Paper Discovery Center; he certainly fit this bill.

The more people VISTA’s production can reach, the better.

We hope people have the time to pull away from their electronic devices at home, join friends and family, and wander down to Water St in Appleton to see the masterpiece light displays created by area students. Then we welcome you to enhance your social experience by reconnecting to your technology to learn more about the displays and view photos of the work as it progressed. The Info App will be available until January 20, and if participation is high, we will extend the service throughout the display, until February 11.

If you complete the ‘virtual tour’ of the info app, you’ll find a video of the illuminated skate routine by Fox Valley Figure Skating Club in Feb 2014. We’re happy to partner with them again in our closing celebration, commemorating Thomas Edison’s birthday. The free figure skating exhibition will be on Friday night, February 6, at Jones Park, starting at 6:30. Please consider, once again, unplugging and getting out of the house with your family and friends to join us.

“absolutely the No. 1 show iN the world” —Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet

5,000 YEARS OF CIVILIZATION. LIVE ON STAGE!

March 3-4 Fox Cities P.A.C. WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

ShenYun.com

Tickets: 920-730-3760 • foxcitiespac.com Box office: 400 West College Ave., Appleton MYTHS AND LEGENDS come alive through the artistry of classical Chinese dance Imagine a performance so profound, so inspiring, it touches your soul. Let Shen Yun take you on a journey through 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Legends, myths, and heroes spring to life through classical Chinese dance.

“It was an extraordinary experience … the level of skill, but also the power of the archetypes and the narratives were startling.

And of course it was exquisitely beautiful.”

—Cate Blanchett, Academy Awardwinning actress

“Absolutely beautiful ... It has become this one big poetic event.

It was so inspiring, I think I may have found some new ideas for the next “Avatar”.”

—Robert Stromberg, Academy-Award winner, production designer for “Avatar”

Ethnic and folk dances fill the stage with color and energy.

The leaps and flips of Shen Yun’s aerial masters, thunderous battle drums, and singers’ soaring voices are all set to animated backdrops that transport you to another world.

“It was inspirational and educational — a performance that I encourage everyone to see and all of us to learn from.”

—Donna Karan, creator of DKNY

“I have reviewed over 3,000 to 4,000 shows since 1942. I give this production 5 stars.

That’s the top ... I’ve seen enough Broadway shows that still cannot compare to what I saw tonight ... mind blowing.”

—Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic

ENTERTAINMENT // POSTCARD FROM MILWAUKEE

Paul Biemann

BY BLAINE SCHULTZ

anniversary. On the opposite side of the musical coin. he also mixes at The Cactus You may have seen him playing bass Club where he saw “that little back room in any number of bands over the last few go from a pool table shoved to the side decades or even tooling around on his vin- so the band could set up in the corner to tage Triumph Bonneville motorcycle when hosting Wanda Jackson, Queens of the the weather permits, but odds are best Stoneage, The White Stripes, and countless you have seen Paul Biemann running the other local, regional, national and international acts.” soundboard at Milwaukee’s Shank Hall.

Biemann has seen those clubs and In November Shank celebrated its 25th many others from both sides of the stage. Playing in bands since 1977, he has performed and recorded with a string of combos (among them The Yell Leaders, or often accompanying frontman Mike Benign in the likes of Blue in the Face, Arms & Legs & Feet and Umbrella Man) where Biemann’s solid bass Umbrella Man L-R: Mike Benign, Paul Biemann, Marty playing set the groove and Radocha, Tim Frank

tone.

“Shank is where I spend most of my mixy time but I do get the call to mix other places. I also work for Go Audio which is Blue in the Face (circa 1994) L-R: Bob Jennings, Mike Benign, Pat Basler, John a great sound Carr, Andy Buck, Paul Biemann, Ed Spangenberg company with Biemann recalls how it all began for top-notch gear, “ he said. “I really started running sound and recording before I him. In sixth grade a couple of buddies got Guitars; another got a paper route to started playing bass. My dad had two tape buy a drum set. “I started cleaning grade recorders and showed me how to double schools and bought a bass. That was it. track when I played trumpet in fifth or Within months George, Scotty and I were sixth grade. My mom would have me undo playing “Sunshine of Your Love” at St. the knots in the clothesline as practice for an eventual career as a wire wrangler. It all Sebastian CYO. The devil had my soul.”

Aside from Shank, he also fondly just kept happening alongside one another. recalls the Spinal Tap moments. “… [the “I’m not really sure when I started at unnamed Milwaukee songwriter] playing Shank but I do remember the first show pool with his pants around his ankles at a was Peter Tork of the Monkees.” On club in Kansas, my dear friend and mentor one memorable night Biemann recalls the monitor speakers going dead the instant Jeff Dagenhardt putting a phone book at my feet instead of adjusting the mic stand Ray Manzarek mentioned Jim Morrison.

What has the sagacious soundman at a Liquid Johnnies gig, the club in Iowa that gave us the liquor room as a dresslearned from his years in the trenches?

“Little has changed––some bands are ing room––not the best idea, kissing the serious some are not,” he says. “Everyone ground and Joe Schkeryantz after he drove has a cell phone, but no one can call the through a tornado in the middle of the night. club and say we’re running late ‘tell the Sharing the stage with dear friends, legsound guy get something to eat ‘cuz he won’t have time later.’ Some bands get it: ends, and heroes, being part of a group; the Show up, set up, tune up, fire it up, reverse, shared experience that is the high point.” drive repeat––some don’t.”

2015 Launchpad The 2015 Launchpad band application period is open until February 6, 2015.

Bands can go to www.launchpadwisconsin. org to sign up for this only statewide music competition in the nation for high school garagebands of all musical genres.

We appreciate any opportunity you may have to give a shoutout to the local high school garagebands in your backyard that the 2015 Launchpad band application period is now open.

18 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

I have attached below a You Tube video of Gabe Burdulis (our 2014 Les Paul Launchpad Award winning band) using his Launchpad prize of recording time at Madison’s Blast House Studios to cut a great original track interspersed with an Eminem song. A very talented young musician! Les Paul would have been very proud of him. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=a52qWFy7wys

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 19

ENTERTAINMENT // CONCERT WATCH JANUARY 2015

Concert Watch January 2015 Jock Bartley: Actually it did. We were incredibly lucky because so many bands try to figure out ‘what are we going to sound like?’ and the continuation of their sound, whatever that might be. We were a pretty rare case of when you put the synergy of the musicians and the vocalists together, whatever we played – whether it

they don’t have to be true, and b) if you are a little impressionistic with the lyrics they can take on various meanings. We didn’t even really think about it. “Cinderella” had been a huge FM hit and had gotten so much FM airplay that Atlantic Records obviously decided ‘OK, that’s our next AM single.’ They put it out and within a few

was a softer love ballad or a harder-edged darker kind of rock song – ended up sounding like us. It was really great. Certainly not everything we recorded we used and not everything we put our hands to was magical! (Laughs) I know how lucky of a fellow I am to be in a band that made such great music. Now yes, we created it but it really started with how great the songs were. It was kind of a fated thing to throw us together. The synergy of the band members, the sum was greater than the parts. And it shows. Our songs still stand up and sound great today on the radio.

There’s still that magic.

JS: There was a controversy that arose about the lyrics of the song “Cinderella.”

JB: It’s a totally fictional song. It is about a somewhat controversial subject about a guy getting a girl pregnant and pretty much telling her to leave. The third verse is vague enough to where you don’t know WHAT: Firefall with Pure Prairie League if he stayed and got to WHERE: Meyer Theater, Green Bay WI see his kid grow up. I’ve been asked hundreds of WHEN: 8 PM Friday, January 23, 2015 times over the past thirty COST: $35 and $40 years, ‘well, did he stay?’

INFO: http://www.firefall.net That’s one of the cool http://www.meyertheatre.org things about songs – a)

weeks it was climbing up the AM charts and doing well. All of a sudden it disappeared and went off the charts in about a week. We found out later there were a couple of women’s organizations on the East Coast who didn’t like the lyrical tone of that song. They called a number of critical radio stations on the East Coast and told them of their displeasure with that song and that if the radio station played it, there were certain threats made about, I don’t know, boycotting the radio station or whatever they may have been. Within a week or so that single absolutely died on the charts. We didn’t know what happened until about six months later when we heard the story about women’s organizations saying this is not appropriate to be on the radio. They pretty much squelched it.

JS: You and I are both huge Eric Clapton fans. Tell us how Eric became your hero and about your surprise encounter with him at a recording session.

JB: I bought the Fresh Cream album when I was a teenager. When I heard that first solo of Clapton’s on “I Feel Free,” it was literally like the heavens opened up and the sun came out and suddenly that was possible. Hearing Clapton play really changed my life almost equally as much as Beatlemania and the Beatles did. I’d

Colorado-based rock band Firefall was named after the Yosemite Firefall, the tradition of igniting a huge pile of logs and pushing the embers off a cliff in Yosemite National Park, creating a glowing cascade.

Firefall’s extensive list of hits includes “You Are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You,” “Strange Way,” “Cinderella,” “It Doesn’t Matter,” “So Long,” “Headed for a Fall” and “Livin’ Ain’t Livin.” The band was formed in 1974 and success came quickly for the band. Atlantic A & R representatives liked their demo and after seeing one of their performances offered Firefall a multi-album contract. In the first three years, Firefall’s achievements included two platinum and three gold albums.

The band has faced numerous personnel changes and other challenges over the years, but today Firefall is going strong.

Fans can look forward to hearing new single releases beginning in 2015, with an accompanying album to follow.

The current members of Firefall include Jock Bartley – guitar/ vocals, David Muse – sax/flute/percussion, Mark Andes – bass/ vocals, Sandy Ficca – drums and Gary Jones – guitar/vocals.

Firefall and Pure Prairie League (see December Concert Watch) will be sharing a bill on January 23 in Green Bay at the Meyer Theater. With these two amazing bands joining forces, this is sure to be one helluva super show that fans will not want to miss!

Firefall was my late friend Doug Boone’s favorite band. Doug was the originator of this column and a passionate community activist in the Fox Valley area.

This one’s for you, Doug.

I reached Jock Bartley at home outside of Denver recently.

Jane Spietz: Did the development of Firefall’s sound come easily?

20 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

never heard of Eric Clapton before and I went, ‘Who is this guy?’ Fast forward to when we were making our first album in Miami at Criteria Studios in the winter of ’75 – ’76. Clapton had just made his 461 Ocean Boulevard album. It was my time to start soloing and putting my solos on the records that we had been working on for a few weeks. So, I’m out in the studio warming up to play “Mexico,” the one song I knew that was going to be my moment to shine as a lead guitar player. We’d been playing that song for 2 ½ years on stage and kickin’ ass with it. I’m playing my old Les Paul through a Fender Super Reverb amp. The Bee Gees were recording down the hall, Stephen Stills was in and out, and all of these amazing people were coming in and out of the control room while I’m warming up.

The day before we had the Mariachi horn section come in to play their parts in the middle of my solo, which I never had to contend with before. I knew the horns were coming, but I had no idea when it was happening. So I’m playing my solo and the horns played their part. It kind of took me by surprise. It ended up that I played the 3 ½ minute song as a one take solo. The producer, Jim Mason, pushed the button and said, ‘That was fantastic! C’mon in.’ I said, ‘I wasn’t ready for the horns. Give me another pass or two.’ He said, ‘No, it was perfect. C’mon in.’ I storm into the control room to give him a piece of my mind and the first person I see is my hero, Eric Clapton! He had been watching me play. I just lost it. Eric Clapton – he was the guy!

He stood up, shook my hand and said, ‘Keen playing, man,’ and he walked out.

I just slumped in the chair and went, ‘Oh my God.’ So playing the original, one take, spontaneous solo with my hero – unbeknownst to me – watching from the control room, was fantastic! Later Jim shared that Clapton had come into the control room to say hi to him because they knew each other. Jim asked Clapton if he wanted to come out and play with me and Eric shook his head and said, ‘No, he sounds like he’s doing just fine.’ That’s probably number one on my magical moments that have happened in my career.

JS: Firefall will be inducted into the

ENTERTAINMENT // CONCERT WATCH JANUARY 2015

Colorado Music Hall of Fame in January 9.

JB: The induction class is amazing.

It’s Stephen Stills and Manassas, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco and Firefall.

Stephen has chosen not to come.

I hope at the last minute he changes his mind! (Laughs) Jeff Hanna from the Dirt Band, Richie Furay from Poco and Buffalo Springfield and I are going up to do three songs of Manassas as a tribute to Stephen, Chris Hillman and all of the Manassas boys.

Being inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame is really humbling and it’s a huge honor for Firefall to be acknowledged.

JS: Is there a new album in the works?

JB: There is. We’re going to do it a little differently this time. We are going to release two or three songs every couple of months. When we have ten or twelve or thirteen songs in a year or so that have been released, then we’ll put out an album.

I’ve been writing a lot of songs for the new record. I’ve been putting out a search for writers in Nashville. I know a lot of great

writers there and a couple of writers out here in Colorado. I really don’t care who writes the songs.

I just want to have a bunch of great, great songs for our record. I want to make the 2015 version of recorded Firefall be reminiscent of and sound like Firefall and yet be modern enough to be really accepted today. There’ll be some surprises along the way.

JS: Looking forward to an amazing show at the Meyer Theater in Green Bay on January 23 with Firefall and Pure Prairie League sharing the bill!

JB: As band leader of Firefall, I feel that a band owes the crowd a huge amount.

People can expect a really good Firefall show sounding like we’re supposed to sound and we’ll also do some fun spontaneous stuff.

Not a lot of people jam on stage anymore but we do. We have a lot of fun. We are going to give you guys a great show and play all of the songs you would expect.

Jane Spietz is a community activist and social worker who loves music.

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ENTERTAINMENT // WHAT’S THE GOOD WORD?

VOCATION (vō-ˈkā-shən)

BY SCHERRYL ANTONIADIS Once upon a time, long, long ago . . . when I was a young girl of 5 or 6, I set my mind on becoming a ballerina when I grew up. It was a dream that I am sure was, and still is, shared by many girls of that age.

To prepare for what I was sure would be my destiny, I would put on a pair of tights and my frilliest petticoat (which was my makeshift tutu) and spend hours practicing “pirouettes” in front of my bedroom mirror. To casual observers it might have looked like I was simply whirling around with my arms flailing high above my head, but I wouldn’t consider these people to be true lovers of the art. Still, I must confess that the one and only time I actually tried standing on my tiptoes I fell flat on my bootie and it, and my feet, hurt for days.

Such is the life of a prima ballerina I thought to myself.

It wasn’t long, however, before reality set in.

As I approached my tween years, it became abundantly - and painfully - clear to me that I was never going to be Swan Lake material. It was time to re-boot my dreams and begin considering another vocation.

VOCATION: noun, a calling, mission, life’s work, purpose or function; a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career; a person’s employment or main occupation, especially one regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication; a trade or profession When I and my fellow baby boomers entered high school in the ‘60s, it was still widely assumed that most young women

would marry, have a station wagon full of kids and then spend their days working as full-time homemakers. At the time I thought that this would also be the path that my life would take. I could envision myself happily married, walking my little ones to school, shopping at the Piggly Wiggly on double coupon day . . . I just didn’t want it to happen too soon. In the meantime, I was anxiously looking forward to the prospect of living on my own for a few years. (This turned out to be a good thing as I did not find my Mr. Right until many years later. My poor parents had all but given up hope of ever seeing their eldest daughter walk down the aisle.)

As my female contemporaries and I did not have the plethora of career opportunities open to women today, I began to think about the so-called “female occupations” of the time: secretary, teacher and nurse. After giving it some thought, I decided to look for an administrative position that required some accounting or budgeting skills, as I had always loved math. To my surprise, thanks to a referral from a classmate, I was lucky enough to secure a bookkeeping position with a local firm just two days after graduating.

For the most part, I liked the job. Even though I had many years of experience as a babysitter and a waitress, this was my first real grown-up job and I enjoyed the freedom that it gave me. I was also getting some valuable experience, and my co-workers were supportive and fun to be around. But after two years I had to admit that I was getting a bit bored. The work was no longer challenging and there was very little opportunity for advancement.

22 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

At the same time, I was also starting to give some thought to relocating. So, being very young, and even more foolish, I gave my notice without having another position (duh?!). But I did have a plan, sort of. I was going to move to Madison and find a job there. I mean, I was 19 years old, had less than $400 to my name and no job -what could possibly go wrong?

Well, as the old saying goes . . . life happens while we’re making plans. Only days into my hunt for an apartment and a new job, my parents received a per fectly timed phone call from my uncle in California. He sounded both exhausted and exhilarated as he quickly informed us that my aunt had just given birth. All went well except that instead of delivering one baby boy -- as he had clearly instructed her to do -- she gave birth to TWO adorable baby girls. It had been a difficult birth and they were looking for help in bringing the babies home to join their 5-year-old sister who was anxiously awaiting their arrival.

Talk about serendipity! I immediately put my move to Madison on hold and hopped the next plane to San Francisco.

I spent four months there caring for the babies and helping my aunt recover, and I loved every minute of it. I also came to love California, especially San Francisco, and seriously began thinking about staying.

At the same time, I was also desperately missing my family and I eventually decided to go back home. Unfortunately, upon my return I quickly discovered that the recession that was spreading across the country had definitely hit Wisconsin.

Finding a new job took longer than I had anticipated but I finally landed a great position with a CPA firm in Fond du Lac. But in spite of the fact that I found my work there very satisfying, two years down the road, my wanderlust resurfaced . . . and I knew that I had to return to San Francisco, this time for good.

Shortly after arriving in “the City”, as the natives call it, I decided it was time to find what I would come to consider my true vocation. I knew that I wanted to work in accounting or finance, and that I wanted to be part of a large company that could offer a broad range of growth opportunities. With resume in hand, I started working with a seasoned recruiter. After a few fruitless interviews, I was lucky enough to score a job offer with the Federal Reserve Bank as a financial/ budget analyst. I accepted it on the spot and couldn’t wait to start my new job!

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NEWS & VIEWS // JUST SAYIN’

Just Sayin’

BY MARTY IN THE MORNING Since the rip-roaring comedy “The Interview” is now put on hold, and I don’t have to review that, I find myself with time on my hands to kick off the New Year! And what better way than to recap a few things that we closed the year with!

First off, shame on you if you missed the inaugural “Sturgeon Cup” Championship that was played at the Blue Line Ice Rink in Fondy, featuring inter-city rivals St. Mary Spring’s and Fond du Lac High School. I’m not quite sure how far back this contest goes, but in the spirit of “squaring off against each other,” we got to thinking, “Why don’t these 2 teams play for something?” I mean, Wisconsin and Minnesota play for the Ax (OK, that’s a poor example.

Since Wisconsin wins it every year and

Minnesota simply participates.) But you get where I’m going.

After some careful thought, and what seemed like an eternity in the planning process, we decided that since the two teams play on ice, and it’s a fight to the finish, it had to have some level of bravado attached to it. After about 4 minutes, I decided to call it “The Sturgeon Cup”, and thus a new tradition was born. Thanks to Kevin Deering and Ryan Sarazin from Fond du Lac High, and Kyle Krueger and Tim Ahern from St. Mary Springs, we were able to secure a unanimous “OK” to roll the Sturgeon Cup

26 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

plan out that very week.

Off I went to Hopper’s All Star Trophy in downtown Fond du Lac. You remember how Norm always was treated to a friendly welcome every time he walked into Cheer’s?

Yeah, not so much when I stroll in, because Dave, Mark, John and the rest of the professional staff know that there’s always work to be done when I enter! I proceeded to explain to the Hopper’s crew what my “Sturgeon Cup” vision looked like. And despite numerous eye-rolls from Michelle, and a couple of sideways glances from Kim, there was an actual opinion given that this

JUST might work! Dave Hopper darted off into the back room, and came out with a wonderfully crafted wooden base in one hand, and a beautiful Gold cup in another, and exclaimed “I’ve been WONDERING what I could with these pieces!” And so the Cup construction began.

One quick trip to Tuffy’s on North Main, where I was able to secure a fiercelooking foam sturgeon, complete with spear already inserted, and we were almost finished with our design. And we still had a whole day to go before it needed to be finished.

The completed project, while majestic in stature and a prize worthy of being displayed in ANY trophy case, is still very much a work-in-progress. I mean, I thought we had a pretty sweet-looking trophy, until I walked in to pick it up and it was sitting next to the Cowan Cup. Now I have Trophy Envy…I’m just sayin’ Speaking of fishing and sturgeons, I did see the other day that the Navy is pretty stoked about rolling out its new Shark Drone. I’m sorry, seeing the photos of this thing, I actually would take the shark from “Jaws” a bit more seriously than I do this drone. And excuse for me asking, but isn’t the whole purpose of a drone supposed to be somewhat secretive? As in, you don’t really want the opposition to see or know of your tricks up the sleeve? …I’m just sayin’ I saw this recently while preparing for the Morning Show. A new report just released said there are 6.8 billion people on the planet currently. Only 3.5 Million of those people use a (wait for it, wait for it) A TOOTHBRUSH! Only thing I can add is “ewwwwwwwwwwww”!

Here’s hoping you got more than just a box of “Cow Poop” in your stocking for Christmas! Hey, don’t judge. There’s an actual company called “Cards Against Humanity” that sold 30k of them for the Holidays. And you’re sitting there thinking, “I KNEW someone would steal my idea.”

Just Sayin’ is a monthly article written by Marty in the Morning. Marty is the owner of Martini Media and Head Bee Keeper/ General Manager/Morning Host of B-104.7.

Marty can be heard Mornings from 5a-10. To be included in the next round of Just Sayin’ or to add your own witty banter, Marty can be contacted at Marty@B104online.com

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 27

28 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

NEWS & VIEWS // COST OF COLLEGE

The High Cost of College Impacts Us All

BY PEG LAUTENSCHLAGER In 2013, 70 percent of college graduates in Wisconsin ventured into the world of work with college loan debt, ranking our state fourth in the nation for graduates with loan debt. Indeed, about one third of Wisconsinites who hold baccalaureate or advanced degrees—no matter how long ago they finished school—are still paying off college loans.

Nationally, college loan debt well exceeds $1 trillion. Wisconsin alone, has more than 800,000 student loan borrowers.

The impact of college loan debt on the entire Wisconsin economy is great; so much so that it impacts each and every one of us. A recent study by One Wisconsin Now showed that college loan debt costs our state more than $200 million per year in new car sales alone. Further, middle income families with college loan debt are overwhelmingly more likely to rent, rather than own, their residences.

The average Wisconsinite with a bachelor’s degree pays $350/month in college loans for nineteen years. The average for people holding advanced degrees is $448/ month for 22 years. Most of these payments go to the nation’s big banks. Little stays in Wisconsin.

The college loan debt crisis has been created by the confluence of continued increases in the cost of education and changes in federal and state laws giving advantages to lenders and eliminating many rights of borrowers.

The cost of a college education has increased more than 600 percent since 1980—a number that far exceeds growth to income and wealth during the same period. This, alone, has caused more students to rely on loans.

When students obtain college loans they are afforded fewer legal protections than most borrowers. They have no refinancing rights, regardless of opportunities for lower interest rates. They are exempt from bankruptcy laws. Lenders may pursue collection of both principle and interest at any time. Usual truth in lending requirements, fair debt collection practice requirements, and most related state laws

do not apply to student loans. Borrowers with college debt are also urged to consolidate loans, often locking them into interest rates higher than those paid by other borrowers.

A number of state legislators and members of Congress have sponsored legislation aimed to place those with college loan debt on an even playing field with other borrowers. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senator Elizabeth Warren in forwarding legislation that would allow loans financing student debt to be refinanced when lower interest rates are available, just like home mortgages.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson was among those blocking the legislation in the last session of Congress.

State Representative Cory Mason and State Senator Dave Hansen continue to put forward the “Higher Ed, Lower Debt Act” that would create a state authority to help borrowers refinance their student loans, just like you can a home mortgage.

The bill would also allow for a deduction for student loan payments on state income taxes, just like you can with home mortgage interest. It would also require lenders give student loan borrowers the same detailed information before entering into loan agreements, offer counseling to students and parents on the implications of student loans, and require the state to collect and disseminate information about private lenders and maintain a ranking system.

The bottom line is that student loan debt in the United States is now greater than credit card debt. Further, it impacts Wisconsin disproportionately compared with other states in the union. The good news is that there are actions that can be taken by both Congress and our state legislature than can ease the economic burden that impacts all of us, especially those of us in Wisconsin. Let’s hope state and federal legislators seek serious solutions to this problem when they start anew this January.

Peg Lautenschlager is a former Wisconsin Attorney General and U.S. Attorney who currently practices law in Fond du Lac. She lives with her husband in Fond du lac.

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NEWS & VIEWS // THEN AND NOW

Richard Verhoeven

BY RON LA POINT “I started dancing at five,” were the first words that came rushing out. “I had a heart murmur when I was young and the doctor thought dancing lessons would be good therapy.”

“I liked dancing from the start but didn’t like to practice. My mother, who was the disciplinarian, made me practice.

When I wanted to quit, she wouldn’t let me quit. Everything I’ve accomplished I owe to her.”

He was still a young kid when his mother, who saw something special in her youngest son, entered Richard in a contest at the Raulf Hotel in the neighboring city of Oshkosh.

“I remember taking second place. First place went to a gal playing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ on her accordion. My dad got mad at me because I didn’t take first.”

His mother seeing the budding of his unusual talent soon began entering her son in contests and shows of all kinds in their home town of Appleton and those in surrounding communities.

During his high school years he caught the attention of an older Jimmy Damon, a dancer and a show master from Oshkosh.

The two hooked up and did their routines at war bond rallies, shows performed downstairs at the Raulf Hotel, and appearances in other venues in Oshkosh and around the state.

“We had a two-man act. Jimmy was the Master of Ceremonies and would open our act with tricks and magic – throw money in the air, make it disappear, that kind of thing. After his act he would say: ‘And now Ladies and Gentlemen, you’re in for a treat.

Here is Richard Verhoeven, one of the top tap dancers in the country’.”

When he was asked to recall his part of the act he performed with Jimmy Damon, Richard, with the look of pure joy, quickly responded in his own immutable style by repeating word for word without batting an eye from those long-ago routines. He quickly recited Top Hat, Tap Dance and Ballet routines while looking at me from across the table with a triumphant smile.

Damon and Richard soon took their

act to the Riverside Theater and the Schroeder and Pfister hotels in Milwaukee. They also performed at the Chicago Theater and the Plankinton and Sherman hotels in Chicago.

And once, without it being scheduled and without being forewarned, Richard performed his dance routine at the King Gateway in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin.

“We had just gotten married and we drove up to the King Gateway for our honeymoon. We were seated at a table watching the show when all of a sudden, the Master of Ceremonies announced: ‘And now Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a young dancer who might want to dance for us.’ He pointed at our table and introduced me to the audience. I replied, somewhat embarrassingly, that I would be glad to but I don’t have my dancing shoes with me. With that Jimmy Damon came on stage and said ‘I have them’ while holding them up for all to see.”

“We certainly didn’t expect to see Damon on our honeymoon.”

When I later paged through a scrapbook his wife Shirley asked me to take home, I discovered not only a dance instructor, a story teller, a loving husband and a caring father, but also a dance protégé who, over time, became an expert in the art of dancing, nothing short of a virtuoso performer in his trade.

He was known during his dancing career as an expressionist; imitation dancing he called it. He mimicked the stars of screen and stage; performers such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.

“In my earlier years Bill Robinson came to Appleton to perform at the Reel Theater.”

Bill Robinson, for those of you too young to know, was a famous colored dancer – using the vernacular of the times – who performed on stage all over the word and in a number of movies including “The Little Colonel” with Shirley Temple.

The two, side by side, tapped danced up the staircase of this southern mansion to the tune of “My Old Kentucky Home.”

“He would perform two or three shows a day and in between shows he often

30 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

stopped in a nearby pool hall to shoot a game or two of pool.”

“It was there where he met my brother.

They struck up a conversation and my brother told him he had a younger brother who danced. Mr. Robinson, kind as he was, told him to bring his brother down to the theater and said: “I’ll see what he can do.”

“My brother ran to the telephone and told me to get down to the Reel theater real quick. ‘Bojangles Robinson will be there’.”

“I came down as fast as I could muster.

With his broad smile and helpful manner, Mr. Bojangles showed me the famous Robinson walk and a few other steps in his repertoire. He then took time to give me a private lesson, teaching me a couple of steps that I never forgot.”

“When I got out of the Army a few years after WWII ended, I knew I wanted to dance. I landed a job at the local post office and while I was working there, I was invited to be the guest artist at an Appleton High School concert. I did my old stuff; soft shoe and real quick movements. The audience gave me a standing ovation and that gave me the motivation to continue with my dream.”

During this time his friend Jimmy Damon knew Richard wanted to own a dance studio. After hearing about a place for rent in downtown Oshkosh he called Richard. Although Richard was somewhat reluctant to make the move, both his mother and Damon told him to give it a try.

The upstairs part of the building Richard would be using for dancing lessons was formerly the home of Richmond Cleaners on Waugoo Street. The downstairs occupant was Jimmy ‘The Hat’ whose business was steaming bowler hats and shining shoes. The rent was $75 a month that first year but Richard, having saved little money during his army tour, needed his mother to bankroll the rent for those first few months.

“I had about 75 students of all ages that first year. Entire families took lessons together.” The names of Merediths, Sohms, Mathewsons and Flanigans quickly rolled of his tongue. There was also a good-

looking girl in class the first year. When he spotted her, he said: That’s the one for me.”

“I had a reputation as a good dancer and teacher and this evidently preceded me to Oshkosh. I didn’t advertise other than placing a picture and an ad in the local free press, The Shop O Gram.

“I drove down from Appleton each day with my mother who said she would do my secretary work to save money those first few months. Before those months were over I was in a car accident, a head-on collision, while driving back to Appleton.”

His car was demolished but Richard came out of it okay. His mother did not.

She suffered a series of broken bones and was never able to walk again without using a walker.

“I was forced to take a bus to Oshkosh for the next month while the car was being repaired. The bus would make its drops at the Greyhound Bus Depot on Main Street, about a block from the studio. After work I would stop for a hamburger and beer at the Empire Bar next to the depot and then take the bus back home.”

“I had heard about the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, a renowned association that provided credentials for aspiring dance instructors. I realized I still needed to learn more about dancing and stage work. So I applied. The entrance exam was performing on stage in front of the faculty. That didn’t bother me at all as it apparently did for some. I loved performing in front of people.”

He commuted to Chicago on weekends to attend classes that first year while instructing students during the week.

During his time in Chicago he was introduced to a couple of well-known stars of the stage. He learned from faculty member, Irene Castle, the famous “Castle Walk”, a ballroom dance that he later taught in Oshkosh.

The other star was Fred Kelly, the older brother of Gene Kelly. Fred danced but also worked behind the scenes, choreographing stage productions and some of the movies his brother was in.

Fred Kelly would remain a life-long friend.

The Oshkosh Theater was the location

NEWS & VIEWS // THEN AND NOW

for the opening revue for the dance studio with the honor of Master of Ceremonies given to his friend, Jimmy Damon. The annual revues for the Richard School of Dance continued at the Oshkosh for another three years. After the theater closed, the revues were held at the Raulf Theater. The Raulf later changed its name to the Plaza and in 1977 the Plaza Theater shut its doors. The revues were then staged at the Civic Auditorium and continue there to this day.

Jaye Alderson remembers the sense of belonging to a special group when she was a student at the studio. “Richard’s strictness was tempered by little grins and shouts of ‘Get the lead out.’ The excitement of the yearly revues where costumed students performed the dances they worked all year to perfect, was the crowning joy to the hard work and dedication each of us put in doing our weekly lessons.”

Richard choreographed the revues each year and his wife Shirley made the curtains. But it was not only his dance revues that Richard choreographed, it was all of the high school musical productions held at the Civic Auditorium from 1963 to the late ‘90s when Larry Klausch was the music director at West High School.

He also choreographed the operettas held earlier at the Recreational Gym under the directorship of Fred Leist and did the same for the Miss Wisconsin Pageants.

Richard said he had met a number of celebrities during his dancing and teaching career. With that he got up from his chair, went to another room and a minute or two later he brought back signed photographs of Guy Kirbe and George Jessel, two well-known Master of Ceremony legends; actresses Gloria De haven and Brooke Shields, dancers Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor, heavyweight boxer Lou Nova, and one of Fred Kelly.

He mentioned that he and his wife were dining some years back at Raatsch’s a German restaurant in Milwaukee when Bob Hope approached his table, stopped momentarily and said: “I know you” and then walked away. When this well-known comedian and his wife finished dining that evening, he again passed the Verhoeven table and said “Goodnight Richard.”

When Richard retired in 1999, he was honored at the 50th anniversary of the studio and helped the celebration along by dancing a rendition of “Singing in the

Rain” with Fred Kelly, who flew in from Tucson, Arizona to help celebrate with his friend.

When he reminisced about that night eleven years ago, he again got up from the table, went to another room and brought back pictures taken of Fred and himself dancing on the stage of the Civic Auditorium. His eyes lit up when he showed them to me.

Years later Richard began receiving awards for his lifetime dedication to the art of dance.

In 2007 at the Sheraton in Chicago, Richard received the Distinguished Service Award from the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. In March of 2011, Richard was inducted into the Oshkosh Music Wall of Fame. It was an honor he and his wife Shirley shared recently with my wife, Carol, and I over a noon luncheon at the Roxy.

Later on a cool September morning at the Farmer’s Market, a smiling Richard sauntered over to my stand where I had my Oshkosh books for sale and asked if I had his story finished. I told him that I still needed to some final editing before sending the manuscript to the publisher. With a relieved look on his face he said, “Good.” I just found out that the “Dance Masters of Wisconsin will be inducting me into their Hall of Fame in November.”

We sat and talked for a while and after he left I thought back to the day of our first interview. I was getting up to leave after spending an hour or two with Richard and Shirley when he asked his wife if she would get that CD. When she came back Richard invited me to come out to his car so it could be played. ‘It will only take five minutes.”

Caught on tape that played for the next ten minutes was a performance preserved of Richard dancing as a young man. I listened to this old sixty-one year old recording and saw this man, sitting along-side, treasuring those memories of long ago and thought what a beautiful life he must have led.

The fourth and final number was Richard’s rendition of the 12th Street Rag danced in double and triple time.

He told me he was proudest of that.

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NEWS & VIEWS // ROHN’S RANTS

Loving those three-day weekends

BY ROHN BISHOP Ugh! January 2, the worst day of the year!

As a Wisconsinite I have always disliked the long winter grind from January 2 to about mid May. It just feels like spring never really comes to Wisconsin, and it’s cold, dark, and there isn’t a whole lot to do outside. I’m even one who likes the winter season, but by the time Valentine’s Day passes I’m starting to get sick of winter.

You know, the grey skies, cold weather, and short day light hours, which isn’t made any more palatable knowing that our spring’s here are usually cold and wet.

Thankfully there are some good distractions during this 5 month long wait until nice weather. The football postseason and Super Bowl, along with the NCAA March Madness and baseball’s Spring Training are nice distractions from the fact it’s cold, dark, snowing, and wet outside, but those events don’t particularly help the ‘cabin fever.’

Thank goodness we have those three day weekends to break up the grind.

What family doesn’t wake up every year on Martin Luther King Day full of anticipation? You’ll go outside and sing Civil Rights chants, and to honor the Reverend Sharpton you chant through a bull horn.

Some popular slogans are “No Justice No Peace!” and “Hands up Don’t Shoot!”

Good times, good times! Ah, that 3-Day weekend is just what everyone needs to break up January.

Then there is February. Most people can’t wait for Presidents’ Day! Oh, I don’t know about you, but on Presidents’ Day, I fly an extra large American Flag. Then the neighbor kids come over and I read them tales of President’s that have passed.

Those sweet kids, their eyes always get wide with excitement as I tell them that Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, that Gerald Ford fell out of Air Force One, or that Benjamin Harrison also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court!

Like you, I love those long weekends!

Wait, what’d you say?...What’s that?...

You don’t get off work for King Day or President’s Day? Really?! Well you go

exploring on Christopher Columbus Day, right? NO?!?!

You don’t get paid time off to celebrate these major American holidays? Your kid’s schools are open too?!?!

What’s your point?

Alright, I’ll admit I’m being a little over the top and obnoxious as I make fun of these “second tier” holidays, but I do so to drive to a larger point. There are four days a year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Columbus Day, and Veteran’s Day. All four of these days honor folks who deserve honoring, but why do we honor these people by giving overpaid government bureaucrats another paid day off?

Martin Luther King Day The first comes the third Monday i n J a n u a r y, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Made a holiday

by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, it was first observed in 1986, and has mostly been ignored since. In fact only about 30% of non federal government employees receive a paid day off.

King Day is a more meaningful holiday to African-Americans, and for good reason.

Unlike the race baiting clowns of today (Sharpton and Jackson) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a peaceful struggle for Civil Rights, exposing Americans to the racial bigotry tolerated in southern states. Dr. King helped to destroyed Jim Crow laws, and delivered one of the most eloquent speeches in America’s history, his “I have a dream” speech.

I usually listen to his “I have a dream” speech every year on his holiday. His call to judge people on the content of their charter and not the color of their skin is a goal that should have been reached by now. Unfortunately in our politically correct culture, it seems we worry more about one’s skin color more than any other feature one may have.

American’s should learn about Dr. King

32 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

and honor him on his day, but instead of closing the post office, and giving inner city under educated black kids another day off, why not open up inner city schools and educate America’s black kids to the message of Dr. King?

The cause of civil rights has turned into a profitable business for the race–baiting, lying, tax cheat, the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Now, more than ever, it’s important that Americans learn about Dr. King’s message of racial peace, and reject the raciest hate of Sharpton.

President’s Day Presidents’ Day is even more ignored than King Day, and if it wasn’t for the annoyance of not having mail delivered, I don’t know if anyone would even know it’s actually President’s Day. President’s Day originates from Washington’s Birthday, first declared a federal holiday by an 1879 act of Congress.

The Uniform Holiday Acts of 1968 shifted the date of the commemoration of Washington’s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February, and when combined with the fact that President Lincoln’s birthday falls on February 12, many people now refer to this holiday as “President’s Day” and consider it a day honoring all American presidents. Legally the holiday is still known as Washington’s Birthday.

Again, America’s President’s deserve a day of honor, but instead of closing the post office and giving congressional staff a paid day off, why not designate it a day for American schools to teach our youth about the 43 men who have led our country, and how each president shaped America in their own way.

Columbus Day Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and discovered America. We rightfully honor Mr. Columbus’ bravery and discovery with a holiday in his honor.

Unfortunately Columbus Day has waned in

popularity over the years, as Mr. Columbus is under attack by liberals whom seem to hate him, even going as far to rename the day “Indigenous People’s Day” in parts of California and Minnesota.

Like the previous second tier holidays, I believe Columbus Day should be a day set aside to remember the brave journey of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, not to close the post office or give a government nurse, “time and a half.”

And let’s stop with the “Indigenous People’s Day”! Columbus’ brave mission deserves a day of honor, besides; we already honor indigenous people with the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians!

Veteran’s Day Originally known as Armistice Day, Veteran’s Day honors all veterans of the United States armed forces, it’s observed on November 11 to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918.

For the most part Veteran’s Day is celebrated just the way it should be. Most of our schools hold special Veteran’s Day celebrations where our youth learn the importance of veterans and their sacrifice for our country and our freedom’s.

Most every community has a celebration of Veteran’s at about 11am, where many citizens pause and take a moment to honor veteran’s of this great nation.

A co-worker of mine, and an Air Force vet, jokes that “On Veterans Day, the only people who have to work are veterans!” If you’re a veteran in the private sector you probably do have to work on November 11.

Personally I think it’s an insult to working class veterans that have to work Veteran’s Day, so their taxes can pay for a non-veteran, public sector hack at the EPA to stay home.

Just open up the government Many of you, especially liberals, got all pissed off in 2013 when the GOP led congress shut down the government in a dispute with President Obama. You liberals were so hysterical over the shutdown you made people wonder if our society could

NEWS & VIEWS // ROHN’S RANTS

survive a government shutdown! Senator Elisabeth Warren of Massachusetts went so far as to declare that with a government shutdown “we’d prevent food inspections, allow lead into children’s toys manufactured in China, and deform babies through their mothers’ use of unsafe morning sickness pills.”

Yet we shut the government down unnecessarily four times a year. (And amazingly our society seem to survive).

This is wrong, especially when you consider most of us who pay for these government employees have to work these second tier holidays, and the nuisance of business operating a day without mail service.

Last year on these holidays I drove around Waupun to see how many people observe them. All schools, banks, city offices, and businesses were indeed open.

The only “business” closed in Waupun was our Post Office, which hacked me off because I needed stamps and forgot it was President’s Day, until I got to the post office and it was locked up tight!

And we wonder why the post office losses billions every year.

Then, when you consider that most government entities now look at Black Friday, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve as a holidays, you realize that there are two America’s, there is the private sector America that works everyday to pay for all this, and there is the public sector, who seem to get an awful lot of time off.

Long ago American’s decided to mostly ignore these holidays, and treat them more like St. Patrick’s Day. So instead of giving federal government employees the day off, I think we should honor these days on our calendars, and promote education as to what the day’s mean.

Rohn W. Bishop is a monthly contributor to the Scene. Bishop is a former member of the Waupun City Council and currently serves as Treasurer for the Republican Party of Fond du Lac County.

Contact Rohn at: E mail: rohnnyb@msn.com Follow Rohn on Twitter: @RohnWBishop

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 33

NEWS & VIEWS // MEDIA RANTS

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At the start of the digital age, many media critics hoped that the Internet would usher in an era in which it would be almost impossible for news censorship to occur. The hope was rooted in optimism that elite corporate media, if for no other reason than their own survival, would channel their resources towards giving greater visibility to underreported stories stuck in the marginal sphere of political websites, blogs, and social media.

That never happened. Instead, the elites doubled down on their worst pre-digital tendencies: over reliance on mainstream sources, privileging the “official” narrative of major events, handling doubtful partisan claims via lazy “he said, she said” reporting rather than rigorous search for the truth, and an embarrassing fixation on celebrity gossip and minutiae.

Since 1976, long before the digital revolution, Sonoma State University’s Project Censored has challenged the news media to meet their First Amendment responsibilities. Annually, the Project compiles a volume of news stories “underreported, ignored, misrepresented, or censored in the United States.” Walter Cronkite said that “Project Censored is one of the organizations that we should listen to, to be assured that our newspapers and our broadcasting outlets are practicing thorough and ethical journalism.” Ralph Nader agrees: “Project Censored should be affixed to the bulletin boards in every newsroom in America.”

Project Censored defines censorship as “anything that interferes with the free flow of information in a society that purports to have a free press.” They argue further that censorship may include not just stories that were never published, but also “those that get such restricted distribution that few in the public are likely to know about them.”

Below I’ll summarize Project Censored’s top three most censored national stories of 2014. I’ll close by arguing that in Wisconsin, the race for governor was the most censored story of 2014.

Censored 2015 (Seven Stories Press) identifies “Ocean acidification increasing at unprecedented rate” as the top censored story of 2014. This is a classic example of a story that has life and death consequences but does not yet register on the radar of the mainstream media. But hey, mainstream

news has more important priorities. As I write in mid-December, the Oshkosh Northwestern has this item on their website: “Police: Wausau Man Performed Oral Sex on Horse.” Perhaps they were trying to give new meaning to the concept of a news “head” line.

Project Censored identifies “Top 10 US Aid Recipients All Practice Torture” as the second most censored story of 2014.

Think about that in the coming weeks as sanctimonious and hypocritical politicians lament the Obama Administration’s opening of relations with Cuba without getting sufficient “human rights concessions” in exchange. Exactly what concessions are we getting from the torture regimes receiving US taxpayer dollars?

The third most censored story was “Wikileaks Revelations on Trans-Pacific Partnership Ignored by Corporate Media.”

According to Project Censored: “Eight hundred million people, and one-third of all world trade, stand to be affected by the treaty—and yet only three people from each member nation have access to the entire document. Meanwhile, six hundred ‘corporate advisors,’ representing big oil, pharmaceutical, and entertainment companies, are involved in the writing and negotiations of the treaty.” The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is currently on the “fast track” and if approved would create the largest “free trade” zone in the world. Writing in the Guardian, John Fullerton of the Capital Institute argues that: “What few seem to realize is that this agreement, if approved as is, could make it virtually impossible for the United States to meet its current and future climate pledges–– including those made in its historic climate accord with China last month––without exposing the nation to unprecedented legal and financial risks.” If mainstream media truly were watchdogs, TPP would be as familiar to Americans as Ray Rice.

Now let’s move to Wisconsin. I’ve been in this great state since 1989 and lived through seven gubernatorial elections. Until this year, I didn’t think media [lack of ] coverage could get worse than 1998, the year Ed Garvey ran a spirited grassroots campaign against incumbent Tommy Thompson. The Garvey campaign tenaciously kept bringing

NEWS & VIEWS // MEDIA RANTS

up Thompson-era follies that would come back to haunt the state: tax and spending policies that created massive structural deficits, the use of accounting tricks to balance the budget, placing major non-budget items in the budget bill, inappropriate use of the line item veto, the introduction of big money special-influence politics to Wisconsin, and the consolidation of too much power in the governor’s office. The mass media just as tenaciously ignored or minimized virtually all of this, though in

fairness to the media barons not even the Democratic Party establishment did much to support Garvey.

But 2014 was worse. We’ve now reached the point where, in large part because the state’s mainstream media cannot be counted on to cover campaigns with rigor, challengers have to be independently wealthy to get their message out and respond to smears.

But even a wealthy candidate like Mary Burke found that money can’t prevent the scheduling of debates when no one is watching and the publication of unsubstantiated “October Surprise” stories on the pages of the state’s largest newspaper. Meanwhile third party candidates are invisible.

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Tony Palmeri (palmeri.tony@ gmail.com) is a professor of communication studies at UW Oshkosh.

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NEWS & VIEWS // RIGHT WING NUT

Violence Is Not Protest

BY ROBERT E. MEYER The United States has had a long history with the ugly stains on its collective conscience of racial prejudice and institutional discrimination, particularly against African-Americans Few of us in the middle class will ever be in a position to understand or empathize with the plight and frustration of inner city youth who belong to racial minorities.

In consideration of the above assertions I will write with my thoughts on the recent tragic confrontations between police and African American males that has dominated the news cycle.

Balancing the other side of the ledger, Ronald Reagan once stated that…

“We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”

Ferguson is yet the most recent example of ignoring the above principle,

which was little more than common sense, a generation removed. Perception becomes reality. What did the American people see via the mass media? Threats of violent protests in Ferguson if the cop involved in the incident was not indicted by the Grand Jury for the shooting of Michael Brown.

Is that a call for justice or the working out of mass extortion? Whenever anyone demands justice, justice is usually the last thing they really want. Normally a call for justice is a desire for revenge of some sort.

I vividly recall a terrible moment in my own life. I struck a bicycle rider who seemingly came out of nowhere in front of my car when I pulled out from a stop sign.

The youth involved was not seriously hurt, but he was interviewed by the investigating officer who said that I probably wouldn’t receive a citation. The officer told me the youth admitted the bicycle had no brakes and that he drove in front of my car to avoid running into the side of my car. The officer had to consult with his captain before he could determine my legal situation. While

36 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

waiting for the officer to call, I remember asking for justice.

But then I thought, what does justice imply? Does justice mean that I need to be immediately accountable for all the transgressions for which I was never punished, or just that I wanted to get out of this particular predicament?

We see numerous protesters holding their hands up and yelling “Don’t shoot,” thus falsely depicting the incident and irresponsibly creating outrage based on urban legend. People have a right to protest, but should at least be factual about what they are protesting.

Of course, when supporters of the Ferguson lawlessness are questioned about evidence to confirm their assertions, their quick-draw response is that there were conflicting testimonial accounts of the incident. Yes, conflicting testimony, but only one version that is corroborated by the forensic investigation.

The use of the Grand Jury in the Ferguson incident was also criticized, but I seriously doubt that the actions of the festering mob would have been more rational had a jury later acquitted the officer.

We see ideological leaders all too eager to connect the Ferguson and Staten Island incidents with a common threat of policeforce racism without any evidence to support that position. The usual suspects were busy stirring up trouble instead of trying to calm the masses. And such activism creates disdain for and possibility of violence against the police. Furthermore, any new policies that come out of the aftermath of these cases will place greater pressure on the police in situations where snap decisions must be made. Police will be so sensitive to public scrutiny and punitive actions, that it could make them ineffective.

We see cultual icons who are “defining deviancy down,” creating a situation where deviant behavior becomes so prevalent, it

is deemed to be normal and reasonable.

This “protesting” makes a mockery out of movement perpetuated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and sets race relations backward by attempting to justify lawlessness.

The demonstrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. succeeded in large part because of the way they were conducted: peacefully and with principle. While frustration and anger in minority communities is justified, looting and molotov cocktails can only harm race relations by reinforcing stereotypes and creating a backlash. They are actions of law-breakers and opportunists.

One man being interviewed suggested that looting in Ferguson was justified to raise awareness and show that the protesters were serious. When the reporter protested that the business owners were innocent, the man said “Well, so was Michael Brown.”

It should be noted that conservative commentators have been very careful in drawing distinction between culpability of police actions in Ferguson versus those on Staten Island. They will at least acknowledge that the Staten Island incident implies an excessive or negligent use of force, whereas the Ferguson incident seems to be a question of self-defense.

But, neither incident implies a racial motivation. As for the Grand Jury, it is difficult for the public to know all the evidence that was being considered in reaching a decision.

In any case, “protests” of this nature cannot be tolerated. If the police must be held accountable, so should citizens.

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NEWS & VIEWS // IN PENNY’S WORDS

New Year: Same Game?

BY PENNY BARNARD-SCHABER Here we are entering the New Year of 2015. January is always an exciting time for me because I am able to look forward to the upcoming year while also taking time to reflect on the past year. January holds many hopes and expectations for all of us. We probably all hope for peace and success in 2015, but we expect that these hopes will not occur on their own; they will take some effort and require patience.

Looking ahead to the legislative session in Madison, I also have hopes and expectations that I would like to share with you.

The newly elected state legislature will be inaugurated on January 5, 2015. That is a very exciting day for legislators at all stages of their careers. Those just beginning are very excited and quite nervous, those in the middle of their careers are a little less excited and nervous while those who have many years in office may be excited for new opportunities to make changes, or they may be very frustrated with a system that limits their input and limits opportunities to be productive.

The way the state legislature is set up allows for the majority party to be in full control of the legislative calendar; they set up of the committees and the legislative agenda. The Speaker of the Assembly and the Majority Leader of the Senate basically have control of what does or does not happen in the upcoming legislative session.

It is up to them to guide the state through many important decisions. This is a big responsibility regardless of the party in control of the state legislature.

My hope is that the state legislature will be able to work together to address many of the concerns and issues we face in Wisconsin where we have a history of standing up for strong and ethical government that addresses the needs of everyone in our great state. Wisconsin is well known for pulling together and working to create opportunities for a better life for everyone.

I hope that the new state legislature does this in 2015-2016.

I expect that the legislative agenda will be very different than that. Here are a few things that I expect to be addressed by the state legislature this year:

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) seems to be a target for “reform” by the majority party. The GAB was created in 2008 through state law, 2007 Act 1; it is charged with oversight of our campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying laws. The GAB came about because of what became known as the “Caucus Scandals” in 1999 through 2005 when campaign work was being done in the Capitol and violations of ethics and elections laws were occurring. (For a full chronological discussion of the Caucus Scandals check out Democracy Campaign’s website, http:// www.wisdc.org/wdc_caucus_scandal.php) The GAB is not perfect and can be improved, but it should not be dismantled or drastically changed. Here is what Ohio State University Professor Daniel P. Tokaji said about the GAB in 2010: “The best American model is Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, which consists of retired judges selected in a way that is designed to promote impartiality.” Professor Tokaji followed up in 2013 with a draft paper titled “America’s Top Model: The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.”

I hope that the state legislature takes the time to carefully assess and study the GAB and its role and function before it makes major changes to it.

I hope that our state legislature focuses on making our state stronger, not on making it like other states. The referenda that passed in the November 4 election should give some guidance to our state legislature. Several referenda passed in many parts of the state with wide margins of support. The referenda show that the people of Wisconsin want to earn a living wage for the work they do. They want to take the influence of money out of politics.

They want Wisconsin to accept the funds available for expanding Medical Assistance to more people who do not currently have health insurance because they do not qualify for BadgerCare and because they cannot afford to buy health insurance. (For more information on the Medical Assistance referenda check out this link: http:// www.citizenactionwi.org/strong_mandate_federal_funds) What I expect to see in Madison is more of the same: pretending to listen while doing something quite different. It

is very interesting that the three referenda mentioned above passed in many areas across the state, but the Republicans who were elected indicated publicly that they did not and will not support the referenda.

It is difficult to understand this puzzle: the people indicated what they wanted and then they voted for the candidates who do not support it. This is a puzzle. I expect to see more puzzles like this in the state legislature throughout 2015-2016.

Here is another thing to hope for in 2015-2016: Let’s hope that Wisconsin continues to be a leader in advanced manufacturing, with many small and highly skilled manufacturing businesses right here in the Fox Valley. Business leaders in this area know that when their subsidiaries or other companies have difficult projects to complete, they often come to Wisconsin to get those jobs done. They come here because of the strong work ethic and high level of competency demonstrated by the area workers.

I expect to see a push from the majority party to make Wisconsin a “Right to Work” state. This is very worrisome because many states that are currently “Right to Work” states have some of the highest levels of poverty, poor education and increased dependence on government assistance. Business leaders in Wisconsin have recognized this and have formed a coalition of 300 businesses that are joining together to oppose the push toward “Right to Work.” (See this article in the Milwaukee BizTimes for more information: http:// www.biztimes.com/article/20141217/ BREAKINGNEWS/141219798/0/ MAGAZINE)) We live in a great state, a state that historically worked in such a fashion that the state as a whole benefited and acted as a leader in our country. I hope that this tradition continues in the New Year of 2015. I expect that many of you have that same hope.

Contact me at pennybernardschaber@ athenet.net

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OUTDOORS // WINTER’S FUN IN THE COLD

Winter’s Fun in the Cold

BY MICHAEL MENTZER I’ve got a warm feeling in my heart for ice.

I don’t mean the variety found in a cocktail glass, even though that does have a certain glow of its own about it.

I’m talking about the sweeping fields of ice on nearby lakes, especially the vast expanse of Lake Winnebago, and the countless miles of ice on the network of Wisconsin rivers and streams transformed into roads and highways for all sorts of motorized traffic.

I’m referring to memories and the impact of an ice-encased outdoor world that opens passageways to places and activities otherwise unknown and untried, like the ice caves at Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands that attracted thousands of adventurers a winter ago.

Those winters of long ago make me smile knowingly on the outside and laugh uproariously on the inside. I was a lot younger then and oblivious to risks.

I confess that winter a year ago reduced me to a whining, pathetic shell of my former self.

So I want to talk about the ice and snow that warmed my heart and tickled my soul, not the kind that bullied and shriveled me.

Preserved in ice Headlong speed on a slippery slope brings sheer joy. I remember the Olbrich Park toboggan slide in Madison on a literal ice-formed chute just wide enough to hold screaming kids with their arms and legs entwined front to back like a human pastry twist on a slab of wooden slats hurtling down the hill at breakneck speed.

Local residents remember similar downhill adventures at South Hills golf course and on Holyland slopes.

Ice-skating rinks manicured to mirrorlike smoothness hold a special place in my memory banks. It seemed they covered parks in virtually every community in the state. Fond du Lac featured rinks at Waters School, Second Street Playground, McDermott Park and Plamore Park just to name a few.

And a once-in-a-lifetime event that could have turned deadly still gives me goose bumps and makes me thankful I was

40 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

there and survived it.

Several of us — all in grade school — stood transfixed on the ice of Lake Monona a quarter mile offshore as the wind accelerated and the ice field moved like a glacier beneath us. It carried us that full quarter mile and more until we were standing, pointing to where we had come from and laughing in the park adjoining the lake on a sprawling slab of honeycombed ice at least a foot thick.

Winnebago Memories Those are ice and winter memories I will always treasure but they can’t hold a candle to our ice-fishing days on Lake Winnebago in the 1980’s and 90’s when our kids and friends joined forces, built snow forts, played snow football, watched their jig pole bobbers in the shanty and raced in packs whenever a tip-up flag popped up.

I regret that I have no photos that do justice to those winter afternoons when literally thousands of people drove their vehicles and hauled their shanties miles onto the ice.

However, I do have vivid memories of orange tip-up flags illuminated like neon in the late afternoon

of a January weekend.

I can still see in my mind’s eye two men and six kids racing and bumping each other, laughing all the way to the flag and wanting to be the one to feel a walleye, sand pike, white bass or hump-backed jumbo perch on the end of the line.

In fact, over several years, there were eight kids, not just six, who participated in those Winnebago outings. There were four in our family and four in our friends’ family. The youngest in each family were girls, who gladly took over for their brothers when their turns came.

Of the eight, four earned college degrees in fields related to environmental studies. Among them are educators, including a high school environmental education teacher; a property manager who enjoys landscaping; a helper of the developmentally disabled; a medical lab technician; an airline pilot; a former Peace Corps volunteer who taught agriculture in Kenya; and a member of the U.S. Foreign Service.

Environmental impact All eight of them, no matter how they earn a living, have carried on a special regard for the outdoors and the environment. Among them, they have 11 children, and two new arrivals are expected within the next couple months. There’s no doubt in my mind they will appreciate the outdoor world as well.

As a group of local youngsters, they inherited their regard for the outdoors naturally. It’s almost impossible to not be influenced in significant ways when you

OUTDOORS // WINTER’S FUN IN THE COLD

get a number of chances to run free on an ice field of 137,000 acres, drill countless holes and set up lines to catch a fish or two…and then take a moment to view the snowy windswept desert and arcs of the 88 miles of shoreline that encompass Lake Winnebago.

There is an unparalleled beauty in all of that.

There are colors and tones along the

shoreline and in the sky that are impossible to capture in words or even in photos or paintings.

Fleeting, fragile sundogs on a late January afternoon easily rival a summer rainbow.

Only memories can do justice to all of that.

Outdoor lessons There are lessons to be learned from

those outings on the ice and in the outdoors in general.

It’s virtually impossible to feel arrogant or self-important when standing alone in the late afternoon on a vast piece of ice beneath a pale blue and violet sky when the wind can render wet and supple fingers into a numb and useless claw in a matter of seconds.

And in a reflective moment, usually in hindsight, we realize that we shouldn’t take what we treasure for granted.

We live in changing times. In fact, we’re often told that the only certainty in our lives is change. That particular certainty applies well beyond the range of ice fields and fishing and memories.

Too often we don’t pay much attention until change makes its presence felt. Then we have a choice to make — deal with it or be discarded by it.

Hearing the call again My ice-fishing days have declined for years like the Winnebago sand pike we caught so often decades ago.

But I hear the call of the tip-up a bit clearer again. I answered the call a few

times in the brutal cold a year ago and it warmed my soul, though it did nothing for our frying pan.

I’ve been blessed with grandchildren and I’d like the chance to drive a few miles onto the ice with them and set tip-ups around us. I have some things I’d like to show them.

I’d like to see the day when we could catch sand pike on the reefs and flats off Fisherman’s Road on the East Shore and Wendt’s on the West Shore. There are indications that sand pike, often referred to as sauger, are enjoying a slow revival, thanks to the forces of nature and human intervention.

I’d like to see our grandchildren get a chance to catch sand pike and know the difference between a walleye and a sauger...

And, beyond that, maybe share a life lesson and get them thinking in a matterof-fact way how and where we all fit in the scheme of things.

Michael Mentzer, now retired after a 40-year newspaper career, writes a monthly column for Scene.

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OUTDOORS // 2015 STURGEON SPEARING

Forecast of the 2015 Sturgeon Spearing Season

BY RYAN KOENIGS I don’t know where the time goes, but it seems like just yesterday I was writing a similar article to hype the upcoming 2014 sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago Pool Lakes. Now here I am in December of 2014 drafting another, chronicling the successful 2014 spearing season and forecasting the 2015 season.

Spearers experienced favorable spearing conditions in 2014, and I am hopeful that similar conditions will persist for the upcoming season that gets underway on February 14, 2015.

To start with, I would like to take a step back and summarize the 2014 sturgeon spearing season, a memorable season that showcased the phenomenal sturgeon resource within the Winnebago System.

It’s fairly common knowledge to sturgeon spearers that water clarity and ice thickness are the two factors having the largest impact on spearing success. Well, the frigid winter of 2014 provided favorable conditions for both. Lake Winnebago was covered with more than 2’ of strong, solid ice and the water was the clearest it had

Matt Klein (13 years old; left) and his father Steve (right) proudly display Matt’s 139.5 pound lake sturgeon harvested on February 8, 2014. The 2014 season was only the 2nd that youth 12-13 years old were able to take part in the sport of sturgeon spearing.

been since 2010. The season was met with great anticipation and the table was set for a short yet successful spearing season.

Fortunately for spearers, the favorable conditions translated into a successful harvest and a shortened season on both Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes. In fact, the 6-day season on Lake Winnebago was tied for the 3rd shortest since 2002. In total, spearers harvested 1,513 fish from Lake Winnebago, which is the largest harvest since 2004 (1,854 fish).

Spearers on the Upriver Lakes had a 3-day season with a total harvest of 341 fish.

The high harvest in 2014 made for a memorable season, but the number of large, trophy sized fish was the real highlight of the season. Typically lake sturgeon in excess of 100 pounds are considered “trophy,” once in a life time fish. From the infancy of the sport (1930’s) through the early 2000’s, these fish were quite rare in the harvest, with less than 1% of the annual harvest composed of these large fish. However, these trophy sized fish started to become more common in the mid-2000’s and the record books have been completely rewritten over the last 10-15 years. Further, 8 of the top 11 heaviest fish on record (dating back to 1932) have been harvested within the last 5 years. The 2014 season didn’t contribute any fish to the top 11, but a record 106 fish (95 from Lake Winnebago and 11 from the Upriver Lakes) 100 pounds and larger were harvested during the season. The largest fish was a 77.1,” 161.0 pound female speared by John Skahen on February 12.

Overall, the 2014 season did not disappoint. A shortened, successful season with a high harvest of large fish was anticipated and that is exactly what transpired. Spearing conditions were the best they had been in close to five years, which allowed the Winnebago System sturgeon population to once again be showcased.

We can now close the book on the 2014 season and begin to look forward to the rapidly approaching 2015 season.

To start with, a record 13,134 licenses

42 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

(12,650 for Lake Winnebago and 484 for Upriver Lakes) were purchased for the 2015 sturgeon spearing season, which is an 11% increase over license sales for the 2014 season. The increase is mostly attributable to the overall success of the 2014 season. To perspective spearers looking to break into this outdoor pastime, the 2014 season likely provided ample incentive.

The increase in license sales does not automatically translate to a shorted season.

Rather water clarity and ice conditions will play the largest role in determining if and when the sex-specific harvest caps are reached, and ultimately season closure.

For those not familiar with the harvest cap system, there are sex-specific harvest caps designated for both the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago fisheries.

Harvest caps are tied to sexspecific estimates of sturgeon abundance and allow for a Brian King is a director of the main chapter of SFT, he speared sustainable harvest. For this this 155.0 pound fish, 76.4” on February 10, 2014, registered at system to be effective, DNR Jim and Linda’s (Pipe). must register all harvested One thing is for certain, the Winnebago fish and determine sex and maturity of all fish within the harvest. System boasts a robust population of lake Once 90% of any harvest cap is reached, sturgeon, 2nd in numbers only to the St. the season will close at the end of the next Lawrence River Estuary. The population spearing day, whereas the season closes the also contains an unprecedented number same day that 100% of any of the harvest of very large fish, which has resulted in caps is reached. Spearers will be happy the record books being almost completely to know that adult female harvest caps rewritten over the last decade. DNR staff will increase by 50 fish (6%) for the 2015 have handled potentially record breaking season. This increase coincides with an fish during recent spawning surveys, and increase in sturgeon abundance, and is the it’s only a matter of time until someone is result of a successful sturgeon management lucky enough to harvest one of these fish.

Regardless of spearing success during program. the upcoming 2015 season, I hope As the days pass, the 2015 sturgeon sportsmen and sportswomen are able to spearing season draws closer and spearers will hope for strong ice and clear water. pursue the sport safely and are able to take

OUTDOORS // 2015 STURGEON SPEARING

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Ron Grishaber with his 84.2”, 212.2 pound lake sturgeon that was harvested on February 13, 2010. Ron’s fish is the current state record and 24 pounds heavier than the 2nd largest fish on record.

(Photo Credit: Ross Bielema)

a step back and enjoy themselves. This fishery is the largest recreational harvest of lake sturgeon in the world, and the sport is truly unique. The cultures and traditions that accompany the sport are what make it so special, as most of the equipment has been homemade and passed down from generation to generation. Simply put, the sturgeon provide the sport, but the traditions associated with the sport, the camaraderie of spearing groups, and the “fish tales” are what keep people coming

back year after year begging for more.

I wish all of you spearers safe travels and good luck during the 2015 spearing season. Hopefully our paths will cross and I will be able to hear stories about more memories being created during the upcoming season. To non-spearers, I strongly encourage you to venture out to one of our sturgeon registration stations on February 14. An event like this simply doesn’t take place anywhere else in the world, and the sport truly needs to be experienced before it can be fully appreciated. Our DNR staff operating these stations are very knowledgeable and more than willing to answer any questions. Let’s make the 2015 sturgeon spearing season another season to remember.

Looking for ward to February 14!

Ryan Koenigs Winnebago Sturgeon Biologist

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OUTDOORS // WINNEBAGO NATURE

A Day With Eagles Along the Fox River

BY DICK NIKOLAI AND DONNA VANBUECKEN Have you ever seen a bald eagle? If not, here’s an opportunity to get the chance to do so. On January 17th, volunteers for “A Day with Eagles Along the Fox River” invite you to join them at various locations along the Fox River to explore the best eagle viewing spots. Most locations are public; some are private.

Self-guided viewing sites include: • Expera Specialty Solutions (formerly Thilmany), 899 Thilmany Rd., Kaukauna • 1000 Islands Environmental Center, 1000 Beaulieu Ct., Kaukauna • Riverside Park, Riverside Dr./River St., Kaukauna • Prospect St. Overlook, near 345-349 Prospect St., Combined Locks • Historical Marker, 1169 W. Main St., Little Chute • Sunset Point Park, 800 W. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly • Fox River Environmental Education Alliance (formerly called Mount Alverno), 1000 N. Ballard Rd., Appleton • Telulah Park, 1300 E. Newberry St., Appleton • College Ave. Bridge and Banta Ct. near 1143 E. Banta Ct., Appleton • Lawe St.-Newberry Trail, 668 E. Newberry St. and Warch Campus Center – Lawrence University, 711 E. Boldt Way, Appleton • Vulcan Heritage Park, 535 W. Water St. and Paper Discovery Center, 425 W. Water St., Appleton • Lutz Park, 1320 S. Lutz Dr., Appleton • WILD Center, 2285 Butte des Morts Beach Rd., Neenah • Fritse Park/Trestle Trail, 899 N. Lake St., Menasha • Jefferson Park, Kargus Dr./915 Third St., Menasha • Kimberly Point Park, 290 Lakeshore Ave., Neenah Since the late 1980s wintering and nesting bald eagles have returned to the Fox Cities area. Today, this region has become a popular destination for winter eagle viewing. Given the fact that this

species was classified as endangered both in Wisconsin and nationally in the lower 48 states, its return to prior numbers is a significant event.

When the bald eagle was adopted as our national symbol in 1782 there were more than 100,000 nesting pairs of eagles in the continental United States. Due to contaminants like DDT, PCB’s and other heavy metals polluting the Fox River and other waters, the bald eagle populations declined drastically. These contaminants entered the eagles’ food supply causing populations of the birds to drop to only 487 nesting pairs in the United States (Wisconsin’s lowest breeding population was 107 nesting pairs in 1974).

Eagle recovery had its roots in Wisconsin with the banning of DDT in 1969, triggering a national ban in 1972.

Wisconsin, through its Department of Natural Resources (DNR), assisted the national recovery by supplying eaglets to other states. Once endangered, bald eagles are now listed as a “Special Concern Species” both in Wisconsin and nationally.

This focus provides effort to prevent future declines.

Special speaker presentations and a variety of children’s activities will be available throughout the day at the Fox River Environmental Educational Alliance Center (Chapel), Paper Discovery Center (River level room – enter through lower parking lot), Lawrence University (Cinema

44 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

level 2) and 1000 Islands Environmental Center. For detailed information about A Day With Eagles Along The Fox River go to http://foxrivereea.org/eagle-days/.

Officially, the first wintering eagle was observed along the Fox River in 1982 during a DNR mid-winter waterfowl survey. The first nesting pair occurred in 1987 on private land east of 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna.

Today the Fox Cities are home to hundreds of wintering bald eagles feeding and roosting along the Fox River. During late winter to early spring, at least a half-dozen pairs nest within the cities.

The bald eagles’ success along the Fox River relates to improved habitat, open

water in winter, and the removal and capping of contaminants within the river.

Our abundance of eagles symbolizes good health and high quality of life along the Fox River waterway which is part of the Great Lakes watershed. This is our reason for celebrating “A Day With Eagles Along the Fox River”!

Dick Nikolai retired as a Wildlife Biologist from WDNR after 39+ years last January.

He is coordinator of “A Day with Eagles Along the Fox River”. Donna VanBuecken is Executive Director of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes. www.wildones. org

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 45

FOOD & DRINK // TRICIA’S TABLE

You spent how much at the grocery store?

BY TRICIA DERGE Are you still spending too much money even with coupons? Maybe that’s because some of your own shopping habits are making you buy more and spend more.

Here’s a list of bad grocery shopping habits you should get rid of once and for all!

1. Not checking what’s left in your pantry and fridge: Before you head to the grocery store, do a quick inventory of what’s left in your kitchen. Maybe that half-gallon of milk will last you through the week and you don’t need to buy another gallon after all. Not checking what’s left in your kitchen can make you buy more things than you actually need.

2. Not making a grocery list: Having a grocery list can help you shop faster and, of course, get everything you need. Forgetting to buy something is not only annoying and wastes time, but it also wastes money. When is the last time you went to the store to pick up that one thing you forgot to buy and ended up with a few extra things in your basket?

3. Avoiding crowds and shopping earlier in the week: Shopping on weekends or during busy hours can be really hectic - we get it. But not only do you buy more when you’re leisurely strolling through the aisles, but also retailers put out more coupons and

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deals during the latter half of the week when they know there will be more customers.

4. Bringing your kids to the store: What are you thinking?! While grocery shopping might seem like a fun family activity, it’s not helping you save any money.

Kids will inevitably beg you for that candy bar or sugary cereal, and you’ll eventually give in.

5. Going to the store hungry: We’ve all made this mistake. Going to the grocery store hungry is a surefire way to buy things you don’t really need. Try not to shop with your nose, and avoid the freshly baked section if possible.

6. Using a large shopping cart: Using a spacious shopping cart can trick your mind into buying more things than you need. Try grocery shopping with a basket or a smaller cart, and you’ll be less inclined to pile things on.

7. Buying overpriced “convenient” foods: We’ve all heard the saying, “time is money.” But is it really?

While it might save you a couple extra minutes to buy shredded carrot, sliced apples, and peeled garlic, let’s compare the prices: at Safeway, peeled garlic costs $5.49 a pound, whereas unpeeled garlic costs 79 cents a pound. That’s almost seven times more expensive!

8. Buying meat or cheese from the deli: Buying fresh meat, seafood, or cheese from the deli is usually more expensive than buying prepackaged.

Unless you need a specific cut of meat that isn’t in the meat section, try to avoid the deli.

9. Not buying generic: Oftentimes, grocery stores will sell generic brands or

store-brand versions to your favorite brand goods, and they will be much cheaper.

10. Buying things fresh instead of frozen: There are some things that are worth buying fresh, but there are others that are just as good frozen.

If you’re buying fruits to throw into your blender for a smoothie, they don’t need to be fresh. Frozen blueberries, strawberries, etc., are picked at their peak of ripeness and frozen immediately, so they taste just as good and will last longer (and keep your smoothie ice cold!).

11. Buying disguised water: If you’re buying things like quarts of chicken stock and bottled tea, you’re essentially paying extra for water. One bottle of green tea can cost between $1 and $2, whereas 20 bags (therefore, 20 servings) of green tea costs $3 to $4. An even more drastic example is chicken stock. One quart of chicken stock can cost anywhere from $2 to $4, whereas a jar of chicken base costs $3 to $6 and can make 10 quarts of stock. Plus you can also save fridge and pantry space if you buy less disguised water.

12. Buying organic when you don’t need to: Buying organic can get pricey, especially if you’re buying everything organic. Knowing when to buy organic and when not to buy

FOOD & DRINK // TRICIA’S TABLE

organic is crucial if you want to save some money. Fruits like avocado, pineapple, and watermelon don’t need to be organic because their thick skins protects the flesh from pesticides, while vegetables like onions don’t attract many pests at all.

13. Not comparing prices: Not only should you be comparing prices between different brands, but you should also be comparing the price of different sizes within a brand. Should you buy in bulk or individually?

Should you buy the larger, familysized bottle or a smaller one? Try calculating the price per pound or ounce to see which is a more frugal choice.

Also retailers like to put the most expensive products at eye level, so try looking at the top or bottom shelves for better prices.

14. Not using coupons for household essentials/staples: We’re often told to use coupons with caution - buying something we don’t need just because we have a coupon does not save

money. But for household essentials like laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, etc., do keep an eye out for coupons and stock up on those staples when they’re on sale.

15. Not taking things out at the last minute: If you’re standing in line at the cash register and realize you don’t really need that bag of pretzels you impulsively threw in, don’t hesitate to take it out. You can either return it to the aisle or ask the cashier to take it.

16. Impulse buying at the cash register: Oh, those candy bars and sweet snacks will forever tempt us at the cash register. But be strong and try not to grab anything at the last minute! Not only are you impulse buying, but those candy bars are often not the best price compared to buying in bulk at the candy aisle.

17. Not bringing your reusable shopping bag: Many states are moving toward charging customers for grocery bags, and while paper bags are

PUT SOME BUTTER ON IT...!

Changing views of nutrition are turning butter into one of the great comeback stories in U.S. food history.

Americans this year are expected to eat an average of 5.6 pounds of butter, according to U.S. government data—nearly 22.5 sticks for every man, woman and child. That translates to 892,000 total tons of butter consumed nationwide, an amount not seen since World War II. For the third straight year Americans bought more butter than margarine, spending $2 billion on products from Land O’Lakes Inc., Organic Valley and others, compared with $1.8 billion on spreads and margarines, according to market research.

The revival flows in part from new legions of home gourmets inspired by celebrity chefs and cooking shows with butterrich recipes. Butter makers have encouraged the trend, using food channels and websites to promote what they say is their product’s “natural simplicity.” only 10 cents each, they sure can add up year after year. If you don’t have reusable shopping bags, try making your own with a t-shirt!

whether you need everything you just bought. Most grocery stores will accept returns for a full refund.

18. Not checking your receipt: Start a habit of checking your receipt to see if there were any mistakes. You can even use that time to really think about

Start YOUR year out r ight in vintage

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January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 47

FOOD & DRINK // FROM THE WINE CAVE

From the

Wine Cave

BY KIMBERLY FISHER Another year is upon us and there is no need to stop your journey into the world of wine. Embrace your strides in 2014 with exploration and dabbling with varietals you may not have considered before.

To start 2015, let’s take a deeper look into the wines of Washington State. There are 11 American Viticulture Areas in Washington State giving one many opportunities to try dynamite producers unique to their region. To the east of the Cascade Mountains, where most of the state’s wine is produced, rainfall is between 8-12 inches of rain a year. In addition to this desert environment, each AVA offers a unique sense of place to the wines that are grown there.

Columbia Valley: Covering 10.5 million acres with only 7,000 acres planted with vineyards. The region encompasses six smaller sub appellations and also extends southward into Oregon State.

Colombia Valley Vineyards are capable of producing consistently high yields of high quality fruit, resulting in wines that are admired around the world. Wine Suggestion: Chateau Ste Michelle.

Yakima Valley: Within the larger Colombia Valley, this appellation runs east to west and temperatures are typically cooler than those in the rest of the Colombia Valley. The Syrah varietal prospers in this area. At the eastern end of the Valley is Red Mountain which recently received its own appellation.

Red Mountain: North of the Yakima River, offering southern exposure with mineral soils that encourage deep penetration of the root system and good airflow which is especially beneficial for Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines deliver rich, ripe fruit flavors, and enough acidity to keep the flavors fresh and firm without harsh tannins thus allowing better development and aging of the wines. Wine Suggestion: Col Solare.

Rattlesnake Hills: Concentrating on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot providing grapes of full varietal character. South facing slopes and higher elevation up to 3,000 feet combine to give full ripeness with balanced acidity.

Snipes Mountain: Distinguished by 48 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

ancient rock pebbles in the soil with south facing slopes, the grape varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah deliver stellar wines.

Horse Heaven Hills: Elevation up to 1,800 feet mediates against damage from frost and allows intense character to be achieved in red and white varietals. Some of the state’s most highly acclaimed wines come from this area. Wine Suggestion: Columbia Crest H3 Wines.

Wahluke Slope: One of the warmest areas in Washington producing exceptional ripeness with full intensity of flavor. Red varieties dominate here, but don’t forget to try Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Wine Suggestion: Indian Wells Winery.

Lake Chelan: One of Washington’s newest appellation and is the most northerly, sitting at the eastern end of Lake Chelan where it meets the Colombia River.

This region shows promise for cooler climate white grape varieties such as Riesling and Chardonnay.

Walla Walla Valley: In the southeast corner of the state, with parts of its acreage extending into Oregon and its eastern edge rising into the Blue Mountains. The warmer valley floor has proven successful for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot while the cooler hillsides show promise for Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Wine Suggestion: Spring Valley Vineyards.

Columbia Gorge: Adjacent to the southeastern end of the Colombia Valley, it varies with dry and warm to moist and cool. The cooler areas make white varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer a delight.

Puget Sound: This is the only appellation west of the Cascade Mountains which contains 25 wineries that are primarily small producers.

If you aren’t able to make it to wine country in Washington, exploring the region’s wines from afar is worth the journey. You will find compelling wines with moderate price point’s, and an expression of place like no other region. Take a moment to investigate and examine the uniqueness of the state.

Kimberly Fisher is the Director of Fine Wine sales for Badger Liquor - Wine & Spirits

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tuesday, February 10 – West Bend Campus wednesday, February 11 – Fond du Lac Campus thursday, February 12 – Beaver Dam Campus Stop by anytime between 4:30-6 p.m.

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January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 49

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OPEN Tues. - Fri. 8-5 pm • Sat. 8-2 pm 50 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

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FOOD & DRINK // ‘FANTASY’ EVENT

Chocolate, Diamonds Star in ‘Fantasy’ Event

Soroptimist Chocolate Fantasy Gala Jan. 25 RENEE DUFORE RUSSELL Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they run a close race with chocolate.

On Sunday, January 25, chocolate and chocolate diamonds will pair up as the main attractions at Chocolate Fantasy.

This showcase of all things chocolate is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fond du Lac. Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 795 Fond du Lac Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event spotlights chocolate creations of many local and area confectioners, restaurants and gift venues. For

Sweet Treats cupcakes team stands ready to greet chocolate lovers at the 2014 Chocolate Fantasy event. This year’s event, the 19th annual Chocolate Fantasy, is set for January 25.

Treats from Bob and Bonnie’s Donuts were a big hit at Chocolate Fantasy in January 2014. This year’s edition of Chocolate Fantasy is scheduled January 25 at Knights of Columbus Hall.

a single admission price of $10 in advance or $12 at the door, guests are treated to samplesize portions of candies, ice cream, c u s t a rd , f u d g e , coffees and cocoas, cakes, popcorn and many other confections.

Ve ndo rs an d other donors also Soroptimist member Laurie Albert, right, helps herself to a “sweet someprovide silent aucthing” at last year’s Chocolate Fantasy. This year’s event, offering chocolate tion prizes or theme goodies from the finest area restaurants, confectioners and chocolate purveybaskets, as well as ors, will be held January 25 at Knights of Columbus Hall. “sweet somethings” for Valentine’s Day Sabina Carter. giving.

Event sponsors include: B104.7, Fox The featured prize in a drawing to Valley Savings Bank, Society Insurance, be held that day is a chocolate diamond Agnesian HealthCare, American Bank, pendant from C.W. Smith Jewelers, North Holiday Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Huberty & Fond du Lac. The 14K white gold neckAssoc., RRK CPA LLC, and Schenck S.C. lace, valued at $1,000, holds a quartercarat in icy white and warm brown chocoGET TICKETS late diamonds. The winning ticket will be Advance tickets ($10) available after Jan. drawn at 2:45 p.m. The winner need not 1 at: Bank Mutual, Fox Valley Savings be present.

Bank, Wegner Office Supply, EP-Direct One ticket for the pendant prize is Printing and from Soroptimist members. attached to each special assortment of Tickets at the door are $12.

Waupun’s End of the Trail Candy Shoppe chocolates, priced at $10, and available at C.W.Smith in North Fond du Lac, Fox Valley Savings Bank on East First St., Bank Mutual on Highway 23, Hometown Bank on North Peters Ave., Bank of Oakfield, Village Floral in Kekoskee and Jacobson Farmer Supply, Brownsville.

All proceeds from Chocolate Fantasy are returned to the local community for projects that assist women and girls. Primary beneficiary this year is Girls on the Run, a national program in Fond du Lac schools working to inspire girls in grades three through eight to be joyful, healthy and confident using curriculum which creatively integrates running.

Event co-chairs are Susan Frankel and January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 51

FOOD & DRINK // BREWMASTER ?

Starting a New Adventure

BY STEVE LONSWAY As we start out on our newest adventure, beer writing that is, we try to imagine what will keep the reader’s attention through the end of what we have put forth. We found this to be a fantastic opportunity presented to us by The Scene. Taylor and I are part of the Brew team of Stone Arch Brew House at Stone Cellar Brewpub in Appleton. We live and breathe beer every single day. Whether it’s formulating a new recipe, brewing, filtering, preparing our tanks or flat out imbibing in the festive suds, beer is a very important part of our lives. These are not uncommon words in the craft beer industry.

Nor is it uncommon to hear the words sung by the Grateful Dead in breweries and brewpubs across our great nation. You see, I have always loved the music that the Grateful Dead has put to the airwaves, most likely due to the influence of my sister Deb and brother Rob. Taylor is a

bit behind in age but not in spirit. Often our guests can hear the heartfelt tones of Jerry, Bobby, Phil and the boys (and girls depending on the bootleg) bellowing from our brewery.

How does this all come together you ask? Well as this idea was presented to us, our team quickly agreed that a recent taste of American Beauty is worth writing about. American Beauty is an Imperial Pale Ale from our friends in Delaware…..

Dogfish Head Brewery.

Let us tell you about our experience.

52 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

We take the recently acquired 750 ml bottle from the cooler. The label jumps out with a colorful dancing bear that is a familiar face to Deadheads worldwide.

This is one of the coolest caricatures of the Dead because he is proudly gripping a frothy beer mug and his smile is bigger than usual (perhaps some insight for what’s inside)? We uncap the bottle and decant it slowly into a pair of freshly polished snifter-style glasses. We quickly bring the glass to our nose as if it were a Box of Rain.

As the golden amber liquid Ripples into the glass, we can’t help but notice the sweet aroma reminiscent of Sugar Magnolia with an inviting hop character. As it settles in the glass we notice that it poured a relatively weak head of amber hues yet the beer has a pleasing effervescence. The nose of the beer is as complex as The Attics of My Life with a lot of aromas to dissect.

We get smells of malt, nuts and freshly baked bread. If given the chance to warm a bit whispers of sage, spice and molasses blows through. Taylor comments on how the beer has a slight musty scent that reminds him of opening an old crate full of grandpas National Geographic collection.

The first effervescent flow across the palette brings out an immediate almond honey granola taste just as the label indicates. The malt tones are molasses-like and very gentle considering the alcohol content of 9% by volume. Because of the strength, this beer is a Friend of the Devil and you wouldn’t want to drink it Till the Morning Comes.

The finish is Truckin and brings dark cherry fruitiness; Golden Grahams and a slight warming that are evident, yet tamed.

The Operator of Dogfish Head Brewery, Sam Caligone, is a true Candyman with the beers he is known to produce. Like most people in our industry, Sam is inspired by music and even dedicates a series of releases that are collaborated with music. For this release he polled many loyal Dead fans to help drive the recipe. Granola topped the list as it was a staple in many of Deadheads diets. Sam chose to use almond honey granola and all American hops to round this incredible brew out. Not at all a Brokedown Palace, but a Steal Your Face

- Anthem of the Sun kind of beer.

Dogfish Head started their “OffCentered” approach as a Brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the summer of 1995 brewing 10 gallon batches of beer. At the time they were the smallest commercial brewery in the U.S. Because small batch brewing is less risky, Sam was able to experiment with many ingredients found throughout his restaurant. This was the birth of Off-Centered Ales, Dogfish’s signature style. Their focus was (and is) to offer ”Original beer, great food and local music” to the Rehoboth area. Their success was fast and furious which caused them to pull their product from several states for a period of time. Unfortunately Wisconsin was one of those states. With some time to catch up and a new production facility in Milton, DE, Sam is back on our local shelves and welcomed with opened hands. Dogfish Head has grown as a business model that, again, is off-centered. They own and operate the original brewpub, the production facility clearly identified by an artistic tree house dubbed Steampunk, a motel named Dogfish Inn, three Alehouses in Gaithersburg, Fairfax and Falls Church, and a line of line of brats, chowder and hot pickles.

American Beauty Imperial Pale Ale, best enjoyed while playing the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty on vinyl, comes in 750ml bottles and might be a challenge to find but will be worth your efforts. It packs in 55 IBU’s (International Bitterness Units) that is a measurement of the hops within. 55 is a slightly elevated number, but because of the 9.0% alcohol by volume it really mellows the bitterness that the American hops provide. We suggest a wide topped goblet or snifter-style glass and some time for it to warm in order to pull all out of what this beer resonates.

FINAL WORD: Search this beer out and enjoy!

Steve Lonsway, Brewmaster & President and Taylor Greenwood, Brand Ambassador Stone Arch Brew House & Stone Cellar Brewpub Appleton, WI Stonecellarbrewpub.com Stonearchbrewhouse.com

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 53

FOOD & DRINK // A VINEYARD ON MY TABLE

Wild Mushroom Risotto

BY DAVIES WAKEFIELD Risotto with Morel Mushrooms and Pinot Noir My mother used to tell me about her childhood in Eureka, Illinois during the depression when she would go out into the woods on the Pifer’s family farm to hunt for morels. In those days the family never ate the morels fresh, but dried them and used them in chicken stews or with a Sunday braised beef. She always remembered those meals fondly and talked about them as she got much older.

The Pifer family was one of the original families that settled in Eureka, Illinois. My mother’s great grandfather Michael Pifer started a tin and hardware store on the northwest corner of the downtown, across the street from the county courthouse in 1859. In 1959, on a visit to my grandparents, I sat in a wooden straight back chair by an old Franklin stove in that same building listening to my uncle Charlie Pifer regale me with stories about the good old

days while he spat into a spittoon between puffs on his cigar and occasionally took a swig from a half pint of Jim Beam that he kept in his desk drawer. A 10 year old is as curious as a cat, and I lifted the top of that spittoon to see what was in it. I have never had the urge since.

The old tinning business was changing into a heating and air conditioning establishment back then and Charlie was just easing his way out of the business as his sons took over. I hiked back to grandpa’s house where his 92 year old aunt was fixing a pot roast with new potatoes and carrots that she dug out of the garden that day and a handful of dried morels thrown in as well. They still cooked on a wood stove then and there was the distinctive smell of coal and bacon fat in the kitchen, but the earthy aroma of that pot roast still lingers in my mind and I flash back to that day whenever I use morels in a recipe. The morels are like Marcel Proust’s madeleine in Remembrance of Things Past.

It is in this interest that I selected this

54 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

recipe. The morels were harvested in our yard last April.

We found some out by the barn early in April that were the black kind and then later on that month we found the larger tan varieties under our white pines in a little spot that catches the afternoon sun. When you hold them, freshly picked, in your cupped hands, the earthy forest floor aromas are intoxicating and tempt you to immediately eat them. I have found after thirty plus years of collecting them that using them after drying them intensifies the flavor. So this recipe uses our dried morels plus some fresh button mushrooms.

I am using a slightly modified recipe of that consummate Italian Chef Marcella Hazan who sadly passed away last year.

Dried morels instead of dried porcini are used and I’m throwing in some sautéed fresh button mushrooms as well. Other than this the recipe reflects her elegant style of northern Italian cuisine.

“The synergy of well-made food

and matching wines really makes a simple meal a great one” Wild Mushroom Risotto • • • • • • • • • •

2 cups Arborio rice 2 Tbs unsalted butter 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 large yellow onion finely diced 2 ounces dried morel mushrooms plus the soaking water 4 ounces shitake mushrooms 8 ounces button or Crimini mushrooms 5 cups beef broth 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste

Reconstitute the dried morels in 2 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Squeeze out water and set the mushrooms aside.

Thinly slice the fresh mushrooms and sauté in two tablespoons of olive oil until all the moisture is rendered (about 20 minutes). Set aside.

Heat the beef stock in a separate pan to just below boiling.

Heat a tablespoon of butter and olive oil in a pan over low heat and sauté the onion until translucent.

Combine the two cups of rice with the onion mixture and stir to coat the rice for about a minute.

Start adding the broth to just cover the rice and adjust the heat to a bare simmer.

Stir until broth is absorbed and add more broth to cover and continue stirring.

After 10 minutes start adding the mushroom soaking water and continue gently stirring the mixture.

After twenty minutes add all the reserved mushrooms and start to sample the rice to test for doneness. The dish is done when the texture is creamy and the rice is soft to the tooth.

Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and parmesan cheese and serve.

The wines that I’ve paired with this meal are all Pinot Noirs from three differ-

FOOD & DRINK // A VINEYARD ON MY TABLE

ent areas that are emerging as significant and ideal growing areas for Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is the ideal pairing for this dish for a variety of reasons. This is an elegant dish. The bland nuttiness of the Arborio rice is a template that readily takes on the earthiness of the mushrooms and the earthiness and minerality of Pinot Noir.

The umami flavors of the parmesan cheese also match well with the Pinot Noir.

The first wine is from the extreme northern part of Italy called the Alto Adige.

It is from the foothills of the Alps in the South Tyrol growing area also known for crisp Pinot Grigio. This area is closer to Liechtenstein and Innsbruck Austria than it is to Milan; it is also predominately German speaking. It is on the same northerly parallel (47th) as the famed Burgundy growing area of France that produces Nuit St. Georges and Beaune. The winemakers name is Ulrich Ambach, hardly a traditional Italian name.

The San Pietro Alto Adige 2012 Pinot Noir, 13% alcohol, and $16.50 is produced by a South Tyrol agricultural cooperative.

The oenologists trained at the viticulture school in Trentino are some of the best in all of Italy. They select the finest lots of wine to be bottled by the cooperative. This wine is an elegant near perfect match for the risotto. The nose is ample with ripe berries, while the fruity, sapid spice notes and ripe tannins fit perfectly with the earthiness of the mushrooms. A bite of the food demands another sip of the wine.

The second wine is the 2013 Cono Sur

Bicicleta Pinot Noir, 2013, 13.5% alcohol and $9.00. This wine is from the central Casablanca valley which is just miles from the Pacific Ocean and the Humboldt Current which streams low salinity cold water from Antarctica up along the west coasts of South America. This current keeps the wine growing areas near the coast cool and foggy; perfect for growing Pinot Noir.

This wine is deeper in color and higher in acidity with definite notes of raspberry and cherries on the nose. The smooth, fresh taste with medium concentration, pairs well with the creaminess of the risotto. This is a real bargain for a wine that is 80% hand harvested and from a company known for its organically raised and harvested grapes.

The last wine is from the iconic Argyle winery which is located right on Rt. 99w in Dundee across the street from the Dundee Bistro. The red iron rich soils of the area are home to some of the best wineries in Oregon. The Argyle 2013 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 13% alcohol and $19.00 is fully representative of the Willamette valley. Following 6” of rain in September, a dry sunny October led to a small but beautiful crop that is fully represented in this wine. The nose is spice and forest floor with notes of black tea, while the palate is tart but with weight that offers dark cherry and building density. The light color belies the weight of the wine which goes along perfectly with this risotto and will stand up to a variety of duck preparations including Peking duck with hoisin.

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 55

MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION...

Dine With Us in 2015

10 Minutes South of Fond du Lac, The Ultimate Holiday Dining Experience

REJUVENATE

Artfully presented dishes.

Full of bright flavors, ultra fresh, meticulously cooked and pretense-free.

REFRESH

Catch your breath.

You won’t find friendlier service anywhere.

RELAX

Rustic vintage inspired setting. Garden patio’s, corn crib gazebo, window framed dining room and a large cozy bar.

Homemade Fudge Shop

Dine & Shop

Overlooking some of the most spectacular views in Wisconsin Favorite Menu Items:

Love You’ll lmon Our Sa plates

• Grand Spring Salad • Blackened Salmon • The Breeze - Northwinds Chicken Wrap • Hunter’s Pasta • Tenderloin - USDA Choice

EAT...DRINK... SHOP...

321 Fond du Lac Ave. (Hwy 45) Eden, WI Open Tues-Sat 4-9 & Sun 11-3

CALL (920) 477-3220 • northwindseden.com Cocktails • Banquet Room • Garden • Patios • Fudge •Wine • Gifts 56 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

LET THE WINTER FUN BEGIN Save Money & Time...Shop Local

Join Our Staff..

Look and Perform Your Best In NORTHFACE Winterwear!

KEEP FIT. KEEP HEALTHY. Get Out and Enjoy the Snow!

HURRY IN!

We have everything you need for

r e t n Wi Fun!

• WE RENT • Snowboards • Downhill Skis Cross Country Skis • Snow Shoes Northface Outerwear • Helmets Boots • Goggles • Gloves PLUS RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Our expert staff will put you in the right equipment with the Perfect Fit!

Visit the Ultimate Winter Sports Store with All the Latest

Winter Wear Styles

Call 923.2323 • 209 N. Macy Street • Fond du Lac • Mon. thru Fri. 9- 8, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 11-3

Owner Dave Haase

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 57

ENTERTAINMENT // SERIOUSLY FUNNY

A

While the SCENE does everything to ensure the accuracy of its Events calendar, we also understand that some dates and times change.

Please call ahead to confirm before traveling any distance.

For inclusion in our calendar of events, please contact us!

BY

JANUARY 8 Bridal Faire 2015 Holiday Inn 625 W Rolling Meadows Drive 4-7:00pm Designed for couples planning a wedding.

Meet jewelers, florists, caterers, musicians, stenographers, printers, photographers and professional wedding planners.

C

JANUARY 9-10 Foot of the Lake Synchronized Skating Classic JANUARY 2 Fondy Bears vs. Eagle River Hockey FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue 8 pm - Admission is charged Looking for some excitement? How about watching the second oldest amateur hockey team in the nation take to the ice? The Fond du Lac Bears are a full check hockey team participating in the Great Lakes Hockey league. They play competition from all over the country in a hard hitting, face past game. The Bears league is one of the last full check leagues in the country.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Teen Scene Roller Skating Spectrum Roller Rink 605 Fond du Lac Ave, Fond du Lac 7:00pm - 10:00 pm $6.00 admission, $1.50 skate rental additional. Great music, bounce house with Volleyball, Basketball and More!

JANUARY 3 Indoor Farmers Market 90 S. Main Street 9am-12:30pm Shoppers will see several familiar faces from the summer market including Produce with a Purpose, Cup O’Joes delicious coffee, John and Tracy Salter’s beef and poultry, the Amish bakery and their infa-

mous doughnuts and pies and many more vendors! The Farmers Market will continue all year round and shoppers are encouraged to check out the new indoor market to find produce all winter long, crafts, honey, maple syrup, meats and baked goods.

Fondy Bears vs. West Bend Hockey FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue 8 pm - Admission is charged Looking for some excitement? How about watching the second oldest amateur hockey team in the nation take to the ice? The Fond du Lac Bears are a full check hockey team participating in the Great Lakes Hockey league. They play competition from all over the country in a hard hitting, face past game. The Bears league is one of the last full check leagues in the country.

Celebration Saturday at the YMCA Fond du Lac Family YMCA 90 W. Second Street 7:30 am - 1:00 pm Free for Y members | $15 day pass for the community We are kicking off the New Year with new Les Mills releases and introducing BODYATTACK™. Registration for Celebration Saturday: Tuesday, December 9 - Saturday, December 27th. Sign up for each individual class you would like to participate in at the Welcome Center Desk. All classes during this event are FREE to Y members.

58 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

Community Members may purchase a day pass for $15 to participate and try all of these classes for no additional charge.

Sign-up is required at the Welcome Center Desk prior to the event. Event Timeline: 7:30 am Participant check-in 7:45 am Kick-off - meet your instructors 8:00 - 9:00 am BODYPUMP™ - class held in the gym 9:15-10:15 am BODYATTACK™ - New Class! held in the gym 10:30-11:00 am GRIT STRENGTH™ - class held in the gym 11:10-11:55 am Sh’Bam™ - class held in Studio A 11:15 - 11:45 am GRIT PLYO™ - class held in the gym 12:00 12:30 pm GRIT CARDIO™ - class held in Studio C 12:00 - 12:30 pm CXWORX™ - class held in gym 12:40 - 1:00 pm Yoga class held in gym A drawing for prizes will take place after each class All new Les Mills releases will be taught for each program class: BODYPUMP 92 BODYATTACK 87 CXWORX 17 GRIT STRENGTH 11 GRIT PLYO 11 GRIT CARDIO 8 SH’BAM 18 All classes will be led by a team of instructors for a high-impact class experience Sports teams are welcome to come and experience the GRIT™ programs to see how Les Mills GRIT™ can impact your strength and abilities and take your team to another level. Sign your team up for a 6-8 week session.

JANUARY 3-4 Pee Wee A New Year’s Hockey Tournament FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue

FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Come watch nationally competing synchronized skating teams perform in this daylong event. Concessions available.

Come and enjoy this exciting and beautiful team sport!

JANUARY 10 Meet Your Local Farmer Vines and Rushes Winery 410 County Road E Ripon 10 am to 2 pm Are you looking for a way to meet local farmers as we gear up for the growing season? Take this opportunity to meet with a variety of local farmers producing artisanal, sustainably produced local products. We encourage you to get to know where your food comes from and the people that are producing it. At this event, you’ll get to meet farmers, pick up product and contact information and even purchase items from some of the farmers. This event will be held the second Saturday of every month, November 2014 - April 2015. We will notify you via our weekly newsletter and Facebook who will be participating each month.

JANUARY 16 Tour the Town Art Walk Fond du Lac Downtown Fond du Lac

CALENDAR // THE BIG EVENTS

130 S. Main St 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Stroll historic downtown Fond du Lac during Tour the Town, held the third Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. All manner of artists - from painters, to jewelry makers, to mixed media artists, to cheese artisans, and every medium in between - grace our downtown’s venues with their wares for purchase. This event is always free!

JANUARY 16-18 Don Kohlman No Check Adult HockeyTournament FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue Hockey at its best with veterans from all different years skating and competing for the chance to win the 2015 Kohlman Cup! The premiere adult hockey tournament in the state! This is a no check tournament that features teams from all over the Midwest. The Kohlman Cup is named in honor of the late Don Kohlman. Mr. Kohlman was a longtime member of the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association Board of Directors and was instrumental in the creation of the Kohlman Cup in 2004.

JANUARY 17 Fondy Bears vs. Monroe Hockey FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue 8 pm - Admission is charged Looking for some excitement? How about watching the second oldest amateur hockey team in the nation take to the ice? The Fond du Lac Bears are a full check hockey team participating in the Great Lakes Hockey league. They play competition from all over the country in a hard hitting, face past game. The Bears league is one of the last full check leagues in the country.

Candlelight Snowshoe/ Hike Horicon Marsh Int’l Education Center N7725 Highway 28 Horicon 6-9pm.

Hiking and snowshoeing by candlelight, a roaring bonfire, roasted marshmallows and

warm refreshments await couples, singles and families at the 5th Annual Horicon Marsh Candlelight Hike/Snowshoe. The Education Center will open for people to warm up, view the 20 minute “Horicon Marsh Story”, visit the gift shop or have the kids do a fun craft to bring home! Other activities include, stargazing with Northern Cross Science Foundation, owl talks on the trails, learn about Wisconsin’s mammals on the short “Family Loop” trail and you can buy a warm beverage and light snacks inside the center. Snowshoes available on first come basis.

JANUARY 17-18 Central Wisconsin Gun Collectors Show FDL County Fairgrounds Expo Center 601 Martin Avenue Sat 8-5pm, Sun 8-3pm Buy, sell or trade old and modern guns and accessories at the largest gun show in Wisconsin, with more than 500-6 foot tables. Food and beverages available. Public invited. Going into hunting season there is always something to pick up for yourself of a family member. Don’t forget to include your wife and kids into the hunting scene.

They are the future of the hunting sport. www.centralwisconsingun.org

JANUARY 24 Wine Around the World Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts 51 Sheboygan Street - 6:00pm Come enjoy wine and arts at the Thelma Center for the Arts in downtown Fond du Lac on January 24, 2015! Discover great wines from around the world and tasty Hors D ‘Oeuvres while taking in featured art and meeting many people who love doing the same. Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club’s 22nd annual signature wine tasting event offers over 100 different wines and 30+ carefully selected beers from around the world with unlimited tastings!

An evening for everyone, the Silent Auction and event begins at 6:00pm and the fun continues until 10:00pm! More information and tickets to Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club’s 2014 Wine Around the World, visit our website at www.

WineAroundTheWorldFDL.com for more

information. Tickets are available from Fond du Lac Morning Rotary members, Festival Foods in Fond du Lac and www.

HomeTownTickets.com.

Snowshoe the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum 400 University Drive - 1-3pm Snowshoe through the prairie and arboretum while looking for animal tracks and other signs of wildlife. We will also examine the arboretum’s dormant trees and explore ways to identify them by looking at their buds, twigs and bark. Snowshoes will be provided by the gracious donation of Attitude Sports of Fond du Lac. Registration is required. No dogs please. Please call 920-313-0190

Fondy Bears vs. West Bend Hockey FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center

550 Fond du Lac Avenue 8 pm - Admission is charged Looking for some excitement? How about watching the second oldest amateur hockey team in the nation take to the ice? The Fond du Lac Bears are a full check hockey team participating in the Great Lakes Hockey league. They play competition from all over the country in a hard hitting, face past game. The Bears league is one of the last full check leagues in the country.

Super Spin Saturday Fundraiser Fond du Lac Family YMCA 90 W. Second Street 6:30 am - 11:00 am Participation fees: $50 for one spin session | $75 for full event 6:30 AM - The Y opens (use Boys & Girls Club entrance | Bike valet is available on the south side of building). 6:30-7:00 AM - Event check-in 7:00-7:30 AM - Warm-up led by YMCA Group Cycling instructors 7:30-9:00 AM - First spin session led by Jacob Mueller from PAINCAVE 9:009:20 AM - Break | Silent Auction bidding 9:20-10:50 AM - Second spin session led

by Jacob Mueller from PAINCAVE Join us this year for the 11th Annual Super Spin Saturday Fundraiser brought to you by The

Fond du Lac Family YMCA and United Hearts for Health Fond du Lac. This year’s event will again feature Jacob Mueller from PAINCAVE. Proceeds will benefit Fond du Lac Family YMCA youth wellness programs, as well as United Hearts for Health initiatives in Rosita, Nicaragua, providing medication and supplies and clean water projects to the Rosita community. Our community event goal this year is $20,000!

We need your support and participation to help us reach it! TO PARTICIPATE: STEP 1: Choose your ride time Full event | Event time is 7:30 AM-10:50 AM (plus 30 minute warm-up and includes one 20 minute break) Full event participation donation is $75 which includes: Two 90 minute spin sessions Participation bag Nutrition (energy bars, string cheese, water, gatorade, and coffee) Pool/whirlpool/steam room use after the event Half event | Choose either 7:30 AM-9:00 AM or 9:20 AM-10:50 AM One 90 minute participation donation is $50 which includes: One 90 minute spin session Participation bag Nutrition (energy bars, string cheese, water, gatorade, and coffee) Pool/whirlpool/steam room use after the event Teens age 13-17 may participate at Super Spin for an extra $15 donation, if with an adult participant. Kids age 8-12 may participate at Super Spin FREE, if with an adult participant. STEP 2: FUNDRAISE--It’s not too early to start!

A $75 (full event-2 spin sessions) or $50 (one spin session) donation is requested to participate and reserve your bike spot.

Bring any additional funds raised (not required), with you to Super Spin on event day at check-in. All funds raised will benefit Fond du Lac Family YMCA youth wellness programs, as well as United Hearts for Health initiatives in Rosita, Nicaragua.

STEP 3: Reserve your spot! Register in person at the Y or online here. Information required to reserve your bike spot at Super Spin: -Name, Address, Email address -Let us know if you: (1) Have a bike and trainer; (2) Have a bike, need a trainer; (3) Need a spin bike -Let us know if you want to ride near a team on the gym floor; you will need to know the name of your team captain -Let us know if you have any children 8-12 yrs who will need a spin bike (Kids ages 8-12 participate FREE with an adult participant. DOOR PRIZES: Door prizes will be randomly chosen throughout the event. SILENT AUCTION PRIZES: Super Spin will be auctioning off some fabulous prizes, so come prepared to bid on our prize baskets.

January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 59

795 Fond du Lac Avenue - 11:00-3pm Chocolate Fantasy is a chocolate lover’s dream featuring chocolate delights to sample, dozens of gift baskets on silent auction, raffles and much more! The 19th annual Chocolate Fantasy 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, January 25, at Knights of Columbus Hall, 795 Fond du Lac Ave.

Chamber Concert Church of Our Saviour 363 South Main St. - 3pm Selections by soloists and ensembles from the Symphonic Band, preceded by a recital on the church’s German-built tracker organ.

Contemporary Christian Music Night Spectrum Roller Rink 605 Fond du Lac Ave, Fond du Lac 7:00pm - 10:00 pm $6.00 admission, $1.50 skate rental additional. Skate to your favorite contempory Christian Music. Everyone is Welcome!

JANUARY 26 Water Media Class by Faye of Art for All Ages Share Fine Art Galleries 228 S. Military Road 1 pm - 3 pm & 6:30-8:30pm $100 for eight classes These classes are designed for the professional/ amateur/ or hobby artist who is stuck in a style as well as for the novice who desires to learn and enjoy creating with various water-media. Two sessions will be offered starting Monday January 26th: 1 - 3 pm and 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Cost for all eight classes (either session) $100.

To sign up or for more information please email: fschumuhlie@gmail.com or sue@ sharefineart.com

JANUARY 30 Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts 51 Sheboygan Street Bar Opens 7:00 pm - Performance 8:00 pm

$20 (THELMA Members 40% Discount) An eclectic mix of blues, jazz, funk and original music. Don’t miss the debut of this nine-piece band at THELMA!

JANUARY 31 Oldies Reunion 21+Older Spectrum Roller Rink 605 Fond du Lac Ave, Fond du Lac 7:30pm - 11:30 pm $6.00 admission, $1.50 skate rental additional. Great music! Go back in time! great exersice! DATE NIGHT!

Owl Prowl Horicon Marsh Int’l Education Center N7725 Highway 28 Horicon - 3-8pm.

Two-part field trip, come to one or both parts. At 3:00pm meet at the parking lot to drive in search of owls. At 6:30pm meet in the auditorium for a program and hike to call for owls. All programs are free and open to the public.

Indoor Farmers Market 90 S. Main Street 9am-12:30pm Shoppers will see several familiar faces from the summer market including Produce with a Purpose, Cup O’Joes delicious coffee, John and Tracy Salter’s beef and poultry, the Amish bakery and their infamous doughnuts and pies and many more vendors! The Farmers Market will continue all year round and shoppers are encouraged to check out the new indoor market to find produce all winter long, crafts, honey, maple syrup, meats and baked goods.

Fondy Bears vs. DePere Hockey FDL Blue Line Family Ice Center 550 Fond du Lac Avenue 8 pm Admission is charged Looking for some excitement? How about watching the second oldest amateur hockey team in the nation take to the ice? The Fond du Lac Bears are a full check hockey team participating in the Great Lakes Hockey league. They play competition from all over the country in a hard hitting, face past game. The Bears league is one of the last full check leagues in the country.

60 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

605 Fond du Lac Ave., Fond du Lac, WI • 920.921.5190

JANUARY 25 Chocolate Fantasy Knights of Columbus Hall

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FOND DU LAC!

CALENDAR // THE BIG EVENTS

New All Inclusive Wedding Packages

Spectrum Banquets and Catering Just

$3,985.00 (up to 100 persons)

Beautifully Decorated Facility to Create the Perfect Ambiance for your Reception

Celebrating Over 34 Years in the Wedding Banquet Business!

Includes ALL This: • Two Meat Buffet Style Dinner • Appetizers for Cocktail Hour • FREE Beer and Soda during Dance • Wedding Cake & Cake Cutting • Tower Centerpieces & Card Box • Champagne for toasts • Chair Covers and Up Lighting • Disc Jockey for Dance • Private Facility for you and your Guests • All Taxes and Service Charges

BOOK IT NOW!!

150 Persons...$5,495.00 175 Persons...$6,395.00 200 Persons...$6,995.00 250 Persons...$8,650.00 Seating up to 700 persons www.SpectrumBanquets.com

The Ultimate Birthday Party, Reunion or Group Gathering Place with a Roller Skating Rink!

ONLY $200.00

Only $159.00 For up to 8 Guests

Includes: Visit from Olaf Private Frozen Party Room Pizza, Cake & More

$139.00 for 8 guests • Speciality Cake • Private Glow Party Room • Glow Sticks • 2 Pizza • Soda & Glasses • Glowing party place settings • Free Skate for all

Is Your New Years Resolution to exercise?

Roller Skating burns 600 calories an hour! Great for your heart, leg muscles and core!

It also makes exercise fun!

The original social network!

Catering All Sized Groups • We also have Casino Nights & Themed Events • Seating up to 800

BOO NOWK !

facebook.com/spectrum.605

605 Fond du Lac Ave. • Fond du Lac, WI • 920-923-5190 • www.SpectrumSkate.com January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 61

ATTENTION NEW ENTREPENEURS/BUSINESS OWNERS

Bring in the New Year and make your New Business dreams come true!

C&K Elite Properties in the Combined Building is introducing professional starter office spaces in a beautiful multi-office suite

If you ever wanted an affordable office place to help you launch your new business ~ Now is the time!

Limited offices available and will go fast!

Contact us for a private showing and pick an office that will fit your needs and your budget.

• Great Downtown Location • Seconds from the Courthouse • Surrounded by Restaurants & Shops • Conference Room • Shared Copy/Fax Room • Shared Kitchenette/Break Room • High Speed Internet 104 S. Main Street ~ Suite 201 • Fond du Lac, WI 54935 • www.ckeliteproperties.com Craig Koenigs • 920.737.4778 • ckoenigs99@yahoo.com ~ Kari Koenigs • 920.251.2000 • kkoenigs12@yahoo.com 62 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

The Knights of Columbus Hall

Dates available in 2015 and 2016

Wedd ing Receptions We offer:

A beautiful barroom that can seat 82 guests and accommodate 160 • Comfortable dinner seating to 300 Buffet style to 600 • Experienced staff • Large parking lot • Reasonable pricing Excellent food • All of our menu items are made in-house with quality ingredients • Private room for Friday rehearsal dinners seating up to 48 The Knights of Columbus Hall has been hosting wedding receptions since 1966 and is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The Knights of Columbus Club invites you to an Open House on Sunday, February 15th from 1:00 PM–3:00 PM. Tour our facility and check out our redecorated dining room. A variety of our banquet menu items will be available for tasting.

795 Fond du Lac Avenue • Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935 (920) 921-1290 • Kchallfdl.com • kcclub@charter.net January 2015 | SceneNewspaper.com | 63

January

Exhibits open January 15

Wifee and the Huzz Band

Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns

Contemporary Wing Free Admission

They will fill your soul!

Friday, January 16 Sponsored by National Exchange Bank and Trust

Blues, funk and jazz!

Friday, January 30 Sponsored by The Goldsmith

Davina and the Vagabonds

Switchback

Amanda Mathis & Jason Vaughn

February

The Barley Jacks Just added to the season!

Friday, February 6

A Vagabond Valentine’s!

Saturday, February 14

From PBS to THELMA! Friday, February 27

March

Nikki Hill You won’t forget her!

Friday, March 20 64 | SceneNewspaper.com | January 2015

thelmaarts.org 920.921.5410 Downtown Fond du Lac

Concert tickets start at $12!