Wolf River Country - Summer 2010 by Gordon Pagel

SUMMER 2010

Healing Habitats

The Push to Restore Beauty, Life on Butte des Morts

‘Curds’ the Word! A Cheesy Detour to Zittau’s ‘Star’ Attraction

The Village of Fremont, nestled on the Wolf River, is a premier destination for recreation and relaxation. With miles of undeveloped natural beauty, unrivaled by any destination to our north, we are only 20 miles from the Valley!

920.446.3838 Visit www.travelfremont.com

PLUS:

Geocaching: High-Tech Treasure Hunts Guide to restaurants and lodging

! T E W T E G gion e R e h t le u R s Watersport

Hotel Fremont

SUMMER 2010

Healing Habitats

The Push to Restore Beauty, Life on Butte des Morts

‘Curds’ the Word! A Cheesy Detour to Zittau’s ‘Star’ Attraction

PLUS:

Geocaching: High-Tech Treasure Hunts Guide to restaurants and lodging

920.446.3838 Visit www.travelfremont.com

gion e R e h t le u R s Watersport

Hotel Fremont

Believe

Originally known as, “The Wolf River Bath Tub Society,” the Webfooters have been performing since 1976.

freef FREE SHOWS - WED & SUN @ 6PM Downtown Fremont - June thru August

www.webfooters.org

PhotogrAPhs by robert bell

Believe

Originally known as, “The Wolf River Bath Tub Society,” the Webfooters have been performing since 1976.

freef FREE SHOWS - WED & SUN @ 6PM Downtown Fremont - June thru August

www.webfooters.org

PhotogrAPhs by robert bell

Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary and 14 Summers Supporting the Webfooters www.baumgarttireandwheel.com

Free

Learn-to-Ski Clinics â&#x20AC;˘ June 13 and August 1 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Plank Stadium in Downtown Fremont.

Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary and 14 Summers Supporting the Webfooters www.baumgarttireandwheel.com

Free

Learn-to-Ski Clinics â&#x20AC;˘ June 13 and August 1 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Plank Stadium in Downtown Fremont.

A passion for watersports

A REAL PRO SHOP

Wakeboards, waterskis, kneeboards, wetsuits, swimwear, and much more! Plus a knowledgeable staff with a passion for watersports.

WAKEBOARD WEDNESDAYS

We provide the boat, the board and the pro instructor. Your first time is free! Reservations are recommended

www.fortfremontmarine.com | 920.446.3220 2 miles south of Fremont on County. Rd. II, right on the Wolf River

A passion for watersports

A REAL PRO SHOP

Wakeboards, waterskis, kneeboards, wetsuits, swimwear, and much more! Plus a knowledgeable staff with a passion for watersports.

WAKEBOARD WEDNESDAYS

We provide the boat, the board and the pro instructor. Your first time is free! Reservations are recommended

www.fortfremontmarine.com | 920.446.3220 2 miles south of Fremont on County. Rd. II, right on the Wolf River

COnTenTS 27

79 WOLF RIveR neWS STReAM 20 | The Nature of Things Restoring Restoring Habitats at Lake Butte des Morts

B y Ly n n K u h n s

On The WATeR

27 | Wild on the Water Make Waves aves in Wolf River Country B y J ay e a L d e r s o n

32 | A Bounty of Fish DNR’s Kamke on Harvesting the Winnebago System

In eveRY ISSUe

By JoeL “doc” Kunz

34 | The Embarrass River Floating Wood and Smallmouth

7 From the Publisher

B y G o r d o n Pa G e L

FeATUReS 54 | Say CHEESE! Zittau Family Business Thrives on History and Good Taste

By sharon VerBeten

75 | Root Beer Stand An American Original

B y G o r d o n Pa G e L

SILenT SPORTS 42 | Q uiet Waters Exploring Wolf River Country by Paddle B y W i L L s ta h L

50 | Swing Away! A Directory of Wolf River Country’s Golf Courses By JoeL “doc” Kunz

62 | High Tech Hide-and-Seek Geocaching: 21st-Century Treasure Hunting

By ricK cohLer

On The COveR PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT BELL The difficulty meter surges off the scale when the Webfooters perform this 3-2 barefoot pyramid. Last year at the Wisconsin State Show Ski Tournament in Wisconsin Rapids, the Webfooters were the only team to complete this trick. Because perfectly smooth water is required to perform the 3-2 successfully, it is usually the first act of the show, so don’t arrive late! For more about the skiers go to page 84.

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9 From the Editor 11 Letters 12 Calendar of Events 20 Wolf River News Stream 39 Passing Currents 68 Map to Wolf River Country 70 Road Trip! 79 The Gallery 88 Directory 92 Parting Shot

This way to WRC »»»»

www.wolfrivercountry.com S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

From the publisher

A Year of Discovery

hen I started this publication a year ago, some suggested the area wasn’t capable of supporting a quality glossy magazine on a quarterly basis. And not just from an advertising standpoint. Rather, the question posed was, “How will you ever find enough fresh, interesting stories to publish four times a year?” Well, I must say I worried whether that might be a problem, but after publishing three issues, I have become aware of an embarrassing reality—I don’t know anywhere near as much as I thought I did about Wolf River Country! And that’s a good thing! It means there is a lot out there to be discovered—and as we discover it, I assure you, we will share it with you. Did you know that “Elvis” has been known to frequent Charlie’s Drive-In in Hortonville? It’s true, and it makes sense, too. As Wolf River Country’s only traditional root beer stand, complete with carhops and their own original root beer recipe, most sightings occur on Tuesday’s Classic Car Night. In a previous issue, I admitted to not ever having heard of the little burg of Metz. Since then, I discovered it is four miles south of Fremont and that the Here-NThere Supper Club makes it a destination well worth the drive. This May, some local filmmakers

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premiered their film Mint Julep at the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega. That’s one I told you about via our Facebook page; www.facebook.com/ wolfrivercountry. Become a fan today and we’ll keep you in touch. And in this issue, you’ll read about my first time fishing the Embarrass River for smallmouth bass. It’s a good “fish story,” that’s for sure. Coming in our next issue, we’ll bring you the tale about the “Enforcer and the Violator” and how their love for the river, in the end, has seen them join forces and become friends. So as you can see—and as I realize through my intense travels through Wolf River Country this past year—there’s no shortage of stories to be told. The people, the rich history of the area and the river itself assure us of that. I look forward to another year of discovery. And thanks for taking the journey with us.

Gordon Pagel Publisher, Wolf River Country

Of course, if you know of a person, place, event or other story worthy of coverage in Wolf River Country, please drop me a line, either on our Facebook page or via email at gpagel@wolfrivercountry.com.

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

8 | Wolf RiveR countRy â&#x20AC;˘ S u m m e r

2010

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From the Edi tor Phone (920) 841-2118 www.wolfrivercountry.com publisher Gordon Pagel gpagel@wolfrivercountry.com Managing editor Sharon Verbeten toylady@athenet.net design & Creative direction A2Z Design, LLC www.a2zdesign.com Jeff Amstutz, Principal/Creative Director Michael Miller, Art Director Advertising design Elizabeth Aaron Mike Heidl Design (920) 216-2508 mikeheidl@hotmail.com Contributing writers Elizabeth Aaron Jaye Alderson Richard Cohler Jennifer Hogeland Lynn Kuhns Joel Kunz Gordon Pagel Will Stahl Sharon Verbeten Photographers Tom Austreng Robert Bell Ron Brooks-All Aerial Photos Andrew Horan Steve Jordan Joel “Doc” Kunz Rich Mayer Gordon Pagel Valley Camera (photo processing) reprints, advertising rates, subscriptions www.wolfrivercountry.com Letters to the editor, corrections, story ideas: Wolf River Country: Gordon Pagel gpagel@wolfrivercountry.com To advertise Gordon Pagel gpagel@wolfrivercountry.com (920) 841-2118 Wolf river country OFFICE 422 E. Frances Street Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 841-2118 2010 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

February (Spring), May (Summer), August (Fall), November (Winter) Wolf River Country magazine is published quarterly by WRC Media. Summer 2010. Vol 2, No. 2. 422 E. Frances St., Appleton, WI 54911. Copyright 2010 by WRC. Reproductions in whole or in part without written permission are prohibited. Postmaster: send address changes to: 422 E. Frances Street, Appleton, WI 54911;

(920) 841-2118

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Sharon Verbeten Managing Editor, Wolf River Country

Of Muenster and Memories…

ow that I live in the thriving “tundrapolis” of Green Bay, I haven’t had many opportunities to return to Wolf River Country, until the last few months. Having lived on the fringe of the region 10 years ago (in Waupaca), I often ventured down Hwy. 10—before its fateful renovation and rerouting—through bucolic burgs like Fremont, Dale and Medina, among others. But thanks to my work on this magazine, I took a trip down memory lane recently as I visited Union Star Cheese in Zittau. I remember the town’s odd, yet memorable, name. And it’s hard to forget the shop’s rustic OPEN and SHUT sign—a simple throwback to a gentler time, one when horse and buggies carried milk from local farmers to the shop founded in the early 20th century. And who best to remember that but Edna Lehman, the 93-years-young daughter of Union Star’s early owner Henry Metzig. When I met Edna at the cheese shop one Friday morning, she was more spry than I imagined—leading me up the old wooden stairs of the house she grew up in, located over the cheese shop. I might have huffed and puffed, but Edna still has a lilt in her step (and a refined palate for all things cheese, of course). Her memory of “the old days” is sharp, although when I asked her how old she was, she said “39,”—a playful juxtaposition of her actual age. Along with current owner Dave Metzig, we sampled Union Star’s cheeses in the works—including a soft (yet still a bit salty) feta and a hard washed-rink cheese

My daughter, Holland, digs into a block of Union Star’s wasabi Muenster.

still being experimented with. And I went away with my new favorite cheese—black pepper Muenster. In short, good camaraderie, good nostalgia and great cheese combined for a lovely morning in Zittau—and a comforting trip down memory lane and those highways and byways of Wolf River Country I remember well…and should visit more often. For those of you who haven’t been to the area in a while, take it from me. You’ll want to return—whether it’s for a sample of fresh cheese curds or simply a drive down a simple country road, lined with silos and songbirds. And to those of you fortunate enough to live in Wolf River Country, aren’t you glad you do? And would you rather be anywhere else?

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

ExcErpt from rEcEnt lEttEr to thE Editor

(For the full version of this and other letters, visit www.wolfrivercountry.com)

“I first went to grab my novel I was in the midst of finishing, but for some reason your magazine caught my eye, and I decided to read that instead. The first thing I turn to is the beautiful photos by Andrew Horan. These photos look like they could have been taken from the Amazon River or the bayous in

Be The First to Get The Next Issue of Wolf River Country Magazine One-Year Subscription ONLY $20 (4 ISSUES) TwO-YEarS $32 ThrEE-YEarS $42 (8 ISSUES) (12 ISSUES)

Feb (Spring/Special Resort Issue), May (Summer), august (Fall), Nov (Winter) Go to www.wolfrivercountry.com and click on subscriptions Or mail your check and mailing information to: WrC Subscriptions 422 E. Frances St., appleton, wI 54911 Or Call: 920-841-2118

some remote country, but I knew it was the Wolf River because I witnessed these images on the boat ride we took the night before. Your magazine made me feel proud of the area we live in, and I will be anxious to read the next issue of Wolf River Country.” Sincerely, Christine Correll, Appleton

l e tte r s to th e e d itor

We like hearing from you! Wolf River Country welcomes your letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar, clarity, style and space. Please send your comments to 422 E. Frances St., Appleton, WI 54911, gpagel@wolfrivercountry.com or post on our Wolf River Country Facebook page.

Reader Remembers Raft

I received Wolf River Country; it was a great issue, just like the past issues. Back in 1957, my buddies and myself built a raft and anchored it on the Wolf River close to New London. I spent the next three years in the Army and never got to use it much, but I remember some cold nights out there! Keep up the good work. Mike Olejniczak Greenleaf, Wis.

Thanks for Fremont Coverage Congratulations on Wolf River Country. Thank you for the exposure you gave Fremont and its history. Is there some way I can get copies for our guests in w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

the cottage rentals? I sent one to my daughter-in-law in Petersburg, Ill., and she is so impressed with the magazine she would like some for her antique mall.

Magazine Decided Our Fishing Trip As an avid fisherman, I took my daughter to the Chicago Sport Show in search of a place for our spring fishing trip. We gathered all the information we could… and the choice was easy when we read the Call of the Calm edition (Fall/Winter 2009) of Wolf River Country. It was, without a doubt, the best information we picked up, and we decided we were going to Fremont to fish. We are going to stay at Larry and Jan’s Resort in Fremont. Even if we don’t get one fish, I know we will have a great time.

Wanda Harrison Fremont, Wis.

Wife, Husband Both Enjoy Magazine I just received the spring issue, and it is everything I hoped it would be. I ordered the magazine mostly for my husband, but I thought it was great, too. We both were impressed with all the recreational information and excellent articles. Karen Gregersen Neenah, Wis.

Keep up the great work with your magazine. It was the best! Bill and Brenda Klopp Kankakee, Ill. S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

CALENDAR of events

Fremont

» Ongoing, Wed. and Sun. June-Aug.

Webfooters Water Ski Shows, on Wolf River in Fremont, 6 p.m., (920) 982-4235, www.webfooters.org. » Ongoing, Weds. June – Aug. Wakeboard Wednesdays, Fort Fremont Marine, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., (920) 446-3220, www.fortfremont.com. » Ongoing, Weds. June 16, July 14, Aug. 11, Wakeboard Tournament, Fort Fremont Marine, starts at 10 a.m., all-day event, (920) 446-3220, www.fortfremont.com.

June

» Sat. June 5. Wolf River Clean-Up,

meet at Partridge Lake beach, 8:30 a.m., sponsored by Tri-County Power Boat Alliance, www.tcpaweb.googlepages.com. » Sun. June 13. Teach a Kid to Ski, sponsored by Webfooters, Wolf River, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., (920) 982-4235, www.webfooters.org. » Sun. June 13. American Legion Chicken BBQ, American Legion Hall, 11 a.m., (920) 446-3339. » Sun. June 27. 125th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, celebration details TBA, (920) 446-3251.

July

» Sat. July 10. Annual River Run/Walk,

5K, start at Partridge Lake beach, 8 a.m. Money raised benefits local charity, (920) 446-2693. » Sat. July 10. Fourth of July Bayou Bash, Ted’s Grandview Supper Club, (920) 446-3141. » Fri.-Sun., July 16-17. Fremont River Days, Friday night 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. is “Friday Night Cruisin,’” an “open invite” car show. Classics to street rods are welcome. Saturday features live entertainment from Brahma Country Music Show at Wolf River Crossings Park from 5 p.m. until the fireworks display! www.travelfremont.com » Sat. July 17. Fremont Triathlon at Hahn-a-Lula Resort, starts at 8 a.m.

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Register by July 12, fee $35. Organized by YMCA of the Fox Cities, www.ymcafoxcities.org. » Sun. July 25. John Lambert with the JL4 at Channel Cats, 6 p.m. (920) 446-2200, www.channelcatsbar.com.

August

» Sun. Aug. 1. Teach a Kid to Ski,

sponsored by Webfooters, Wolf River, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., (920) 982-4235, www.webfooters.org. » Sun. Aug. 8. Chicken BBQ and corn roast, Hahn-A-Lula Resort, 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Invaders of Fremont Snowmobile Club, (920) 446-2513. » Fri.-Sun. Aug. 13-15. WeyauwegaFremont High School summer drama program presents “Annie.” Times to be announced. (920) 867-2148, www.wegafremont.k12.wi.us.

New London

» Ongoing, Sat. mornings, June –

Sept. Wolf River Market Place, downtown New London, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., (920) 982-4410, www.newlondontourism.com. » Ongoing, third Fri., May – Oct. (May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug. 21), Fish fry to support Rawhide Boy’s Ranch, Rawhide’s Frontier Café, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., (920) 982-6100, www.rawhide.org.

» Ongoing, third Thur., June – Aug.

New London Chamber of Commerce Concerts in Taft Park, 6:30 p.m., (920) 982-5822, www.newlondonchamber.com.

June

» Sat. June 5, Walleyes For Tomorrow

Kid’s Fishing Program, Riverside Park, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Admission, $10, (920) 982-8510, www.newlondonwi.org. » Sun. June 6. Wolf River Classic Chevy Club Annual Car/Swap Meet and Craft Show, Hatten Park. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., (920) 993-5311, www.carshow.atspace.org. » Wed. June 9. Beach Party, New London Aquatic & Fitness Center, 1:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Admission $1. (920) 982-8521, www.newlondonwi.org. » Fri. June 11. Newstar Astronomy Start Party, an evening of outdoor stargazing, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 8 p.m., Register by June 8, $5/adults, $3/kids and seniors, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat. June 12. Leave No Family Inside: Bird Watching for Beginners. Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Register by June 9, $6/person, $10/family, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat. June 12. Second Annual Veteran’s Ride, hosted by VFW, (920) 982-9971.

Date Change for River Days in Fremont!

Fremont River Days has been moved from June to July 16 and 17. Everything takes place at Wolf River Crossing Park. The new bandshell, will feature live entertainment from Roadtrip Friday night, and Saturday’s headliner is Brahma. Friday will also feature “Friday Night Cruisin,” an open invite car show. Classics, street rods, and motorcycles are welcome. A craft fair will kick things off Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. in the boat ramp parking lot. Live entertainment starts at 1 p.m. with Doc Hill & Company playing 60s, 70s, and 80s rock. Brahma Country Music Show will start at 5 p.m. and take things to the finale, with fireworks at dusk. Beer and food will be available both days from local restaurants and organizations.

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» Sat. June 12. Threatened,

Endangered, Extinct, Oh My!, New London Public Museum, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. (920) 982-8520, www.newlondonwi.org/museum.htm. » Thu.-Sat. June 17-19 and June 2426. “Everybody Loves Opal,” Wolf River Community Theatre, 7:30 p.m., (920) 982-6060, www.newlondonwi. org/wolf_river_theatrical_troupe.htm. » Fri.-Sat. June 18-19. Wisconsin Powered Parachute Association Fly-in, Mark’s Park and Airfield. Fri. band, Sat. breakfast, Sat. evening fireworks, (920) 982-0981 www.marksparkandairfield.com. » Sat. June 26. Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., Register by June 25, free event, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sun. June 27. June Dairy Breakfast, VFW Hall, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.,

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sponsored by Wolf River Men’s Club, (920) 720-6029.

JULY

» Sun. July 4. Old-Fashioned 4th

of July Celebration, Hatten Park. Family fun, live music, fireworks at dusk. (920) 982-5822, www.newlondontourism.com. » Wed. July 7. Water Carnival, New London Aquatic & Fitness Center, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Admission $1 or free with pet food donation, (920) 982-8521, www.newlondonwi.org. » Wed. July 7. Butterfly house opens for season, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., $1 donation requested, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat. July 10. Birdscaping presented by Mosquito Hill at New London Public Museum, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (920) 982-8520, www.newlondonwi.org/museum.htm.

» Sat. July 10. Leave No Family Inside:

Investigating Insects, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., Register by July 6, $6/person, $10/ family, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sun. July 11. Raising Healthy Monarchs, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Register by July 6, cost TBD, (920) 779-6433 www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat. July 17, 28 and Aug. 7. Butterfly Adventure Club, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., for youth ages 5-10, registration required; $7/child for all sessions, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat.-Sun. July 31-Aug. 1. Heritage Days and Rail Fest, Heritage Historical Village, historic demonstrations, crafts, produce, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., (920) 982-8557, www.historicalvillage.org.

continued»

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

MAY 22 BAND - TBA 5PM-9PM MAY 23 THE HITS - BAND 3PM-7PM MAY 29 BAND - TBA 5PM-9PM MAY 30 8TH WORLD WONDER 3PM-7PM MAY 31 THOSE GUYZ 2PM-6PM JUN 02 BOBBY EVANS 6PM-9PM JUN 05 NEW LIFE 5PM-9PM JUN 06 THOSE GUYZ 3PM-7PM JUN 09 DJ PAULSON 6PM-9PM JUN 11 BAND- TBA 5PM-9PM JUN 12 NIGHT HAWK 5PM-9PM JUN 13 MINUS ONE 3PM-7PM JUN 16 REVERAND RAVEN 6PM-9PM JUN 19 1ST DEGREE 5PM-9PM JUN 20 RON KENDRICKS & THE JOHNSON DUO 3PM-7PM JUN 23 SIDESHOW 6PM-9PM JUN 26 GREG WATERS AND THE BROAD STREET BOOGIE BAND 5PM-9PM JUN 27 JANICE MARIE AND JOE 3PM-7PM JUN 30 DJ PAULSON 6PM-9PM JUL 02 DJ PAULSON 7PM-11PM JUL 03 SPICY TIE BAND 5PM-9PM JUL 04 THE PRESIDENTS 3PM-7PM JUL 07 BOBBY EVANS 6PM-9PM JUL 11 GREG WATERS AND THE BROAD STREET BOOGIE BAND 5PM-9PM JUL 14 DJ PAULSON 6PM-9PM JUL 16 BAND - TBA (AFTER RIVER DAYS) 9PM-12AM JUL 17 BAND - TBA 5PM-9PM JUL 18 MINUS ONE 3PM-7PM JUL 21 CORONA AND STRINGS 6PM-9PM JUL 24 REPLAY 5PM-9PM JUL 25 JL4 BAND 3PM-7PM JUL 28 DJ PAULSON 6PM-9PM JUL 31 BACKSTREET DRIVER 5PM-9PM AUG 01 8TH WORLD WONDER 3PM-7PM AUG 04 STRING BENDERS 6PM-9PM AUG 07 REPLAY 5PM-9PM AUG 08 THOSE GUYZ 3PM-7PM AUG 11 DJ PAULSON 6PM-9PM AUG 14 BAND - TBA 5PM-9PM AUG 15 MINUS ONE 3PM-7PM AUG 18 CORONA AND STRINGS 6PM-9PM AUG 21 BAND - TBA 5PM-9PM AUG 22 8TH WORLD WONDER 3PM-7PM AUG 25 DJ PAULSON 6PM-9PM AUG 28 REPLAY 5PM-9PM FACEBOOK AUG 29 JANICE MARIE & JOE 3PM-7PM

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CALENDAR of events

Bang…Boom! Don’t miss the pyrotechnics!

he colonies proclaimed independence from British rule on July 2, 1776, and founding father John Adams declared that the date would be celebrated by succeeding generations of Americans with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” Adoption of the Declaration of Independence came two days later, on July 4, so that date became the official “great anniversary festival.” But Adams’ vision of great celebration continues to surround the entire Independence Day weekend. Many communities around Wolf River Country will celebrate with fireworks displays and other festivities. All fireworks will begin at dusk, approximately 9:45 p.m. Clintonville Fireworks on July 3 (raindate July 5) at

AUGUST

» Thu.-Sat. Aug. 5-7 and Aug. 12-14.

“Noodles,” Wolf River Community Theatre, 7:30 p.m., (920) 982-6060, www.newlondonwi.org/wolf_river_ theatrical_troupe.htm. » Fri. Aug. 6. New London Kid’s Day, Hatten Park. Sponsored by New London Park & Rec; petting zoo, dunk tank, carnival games, noon – 3 p.m. (920) 982-8510, www.newlondonwi.org. » Thur. Aug. 12. Corn Roast, Pfeiffer Park, sponsored by New London Jaycees, 6:30 p.m., www.newlondonjaycees.org. » Fri. Aug. 13. An Overnight with the Perseids, an sleepout at the peak of

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W.A. Olen Athletic Field. Activities, live music and food begin at 6 p.m. Fremont. July 10 is the Bayou Bash and fireworks at Ted’s Grandview. Fireworks can be viewed by the public anywhere along the river or from the public beach. July 17 is River Days. A fireworks display that can be seen from downtown freemont will mark the end of the 2-day celebration New London Family activities, entertainment and food from noon to 5 p.m. July 4 at Hatten Stadium. Fireworks at Hatten Park. Best viewing is directly north of the stadium. Parking is along Warner-Allen Boulevard west of New London Middle School. Shiocton July 4th fireworks. You should be able to view the display from anywhere on Main Street. Weyauwega. Fireworks July 3 at the Waupaca County Fairgrounds. Family activities and food provided by Weyauwega Trails. Winneconne. Fireworks shown from a barge in the middle of the Wolf River, just north of the Winneconne Bridge. Good viewing is from Lake Winneconne Park, the bridge and either side of the river north side of the bridge. Parking in the park, on the street and at the Winneconne boat launch on the west side of the river. “What’s interesting about our display is that we always have a lit-up display that honors some person in the village who’s gone above and beyond,” said organizer Doug Nelson. “We dedicate our fireworks display to that person, and the name is spelled out in fireworks on a boat.” —Jaye Alderson

Perseid meteor showers, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 8 p.m.; Preregister, $11/adults, $9/students and seniors, $35/family, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat. Aug. 14. Canning Workshop, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 9 a.m. – noon, Register by Aug. 6, cost TBD, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Fri.-Sat. Aug. 13-14. New London All-School Alumni Reunion, www.newlondonalumni.com. » Sat. Aug. 21. New London City Wide Rummage Sale, (920) 982-2511, www.newlondoninfo.com. » Sat. Aug. 21. Northeast Wisconsin Strongman Challenge, Hatten Park, 11 a.m., (920) 982-4774

www.bigtonyscrivens.com. » Sat. Aug. 21 and 28. Fall Bird Hikes, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., no charge, (920) 779-6433, www.mosquitohill.com. » Sat. Aug. 28. Backyard Birds & Binoculars presented by Mosquito Hill at New London Public Museum, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Preregister. (920) 982-8520, www.newlondonwi.org/museum.htm.

Hortonville JuLY

» Sun. July 4. Damn Yankees Watering

Hole “Grand Opening” and Fireworks display. 2nd annual rib continued»

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

CALENDAR of events

Get Fresh! A guide to local pick-your-owns and markets

he fresh taste and healthy aspects of locally grown foods are a joy. And did you know, there even is a giant variety of apple called the Wolf River? Often the size of a small pumpkin or large grapefruit, the variety was discovered along the Wolf River near Fremont in 1875. Want to try some fresh local treats? Here are some of the area’s farmers’ markets and pick-your-own farms. Bear Creek: Blueberry Haven, blueberries, snacks, refreshment stand, picnic area available mid-July through August, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until ripe berries are gone. W9967 County Road XX, 1.5 miles south of Clintonville on Highway 45, east on County Road D for four miles. Call ahead to (715) 823-4091. When picked out, the farm closes for a few days. Bring your own five-quart pails to save. Fremont: Sebstead’s Meadow Lane Farms, E7901 State Road 96, (920) 446-3445. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Offers maple syrup now, pick-your-own or already-picked strawberries in June, and pumpkins, cucumbers, rhubarb, squash, gourds, Indian corn, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, corn stalks and hay bales in season. Owners Art Sebstead said, “We encourage people to bring their kids. People also are welcome to come and view our strawberry fields.” Terry’s Berries, follows organic practices, with pick-yourown and already-picked raspberries from August. N1404 Guhl Road, one mile north of Highway 45/U.S. 96, then west on Brehmer Road; (920) 538-5418 or (920) 538-5650. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but call ahead for picking conditions. “People like to pick and eat them,” said owner Terry Quinter. He said people of all ages enjoy the outing. “I started in my garden, giving

ook-off, live entertainment, great c food. On the Wolf River just north of Hortonville. 920-779-4902

August

» Tue.-Thur., Aug. 10-12. Elvis

Tribute Week, the “King” returns for three days at Charlie’s Drive-In in Hortonville. www.charliesdrivein.com

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them away,” he said. “People started liking them, and I got a little bigger and a little bigger. That’s where I am now.” Hortonville: Cuffs Strawberry Farm, N2299 Ledge Hill Road; (920) 779-6372 or (920) 779-4788. 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily from early/mid-June through early July. “Every year it’s different, depending on the weather,” said George “Sandy” Cuff Jr., who owns the farm with his wife, Lois. “It could be early this year. It’s best to call first. Our window is very small – about 14 days. A visit here is a family outing that’s inexpensive.” ManawA: Fall Fest Farmers’ Market, Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Second Street downtown. Home-baked goods, pumpkins, crafts, pumpkin bowling, pie-eating contest, crafts, antiques and flowers. Navarino: Porter’s Patch, pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins. Pre-picked items include asparagus May 1, strawberries mid-June to mid-July, raspberries after the Fourth of July, and in fall, pumpkins, squash, colored corn, gourds, straw bales, pickling cucumbers and fall decorating items. Educational and fun farm tours are available with hay rides in fall. W4314 Highway 156, Shawano County (715) 758-8162 or (715) 584-2070. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but best to call ahead. Call to sign up for daily e-mail updates. “It’s enjoyable,” said owner Troy Porter. “A lot of people never grew up out in the country. They’re pretty ecstatic to come to a farm, spend some time with their family and goof around. They’re interested in where their food is coming from.” New London: Royalton Berry Farm, strawberries. N4825 Stiebs Johnson Road, five miles west of New London on Highway 54; (920) 982-2572. Wolf River Marketplace, Saturdays, June 5 through Sept. 25; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. New location is planned to be downtown at the new trail head of the Berneggar River Trail, right behind the State Farm Insurance building on Pearl Street. It features fresh produce, artisans and food vendors. One organizer said, “People are trying to shop local and eat local, so we’re trying to support local people.” Weyauwega: Local farmer John Reindl offers a produce stand with a variety of vegetables each day during the growing season at Cenex gas station on Mill Street. Payment is on the honor system. —Jaye Alderson

Shiocton JULY

» Sat. July 10. Ruff Fish Contest,

W7740 Pine St., (920) 986-3415, www.wisconline.com. » Sat.-Sun., July 24-25. Shiocton Fly In, music, raffle, (920) 986-3933, www.shioctonairport.com. » Sat.-Sun., July 24-25. Zor Shriners

Sporting Clays Tournament, J&H Game Farm, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., (715) 758-8134, www.jhgamefarm.com.

AUGUST

» Sat., Aug. 21. Shiocton Fireman’s Festival, Parade and Picnic, Main Street, (920) 986-3415.

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Poy Sippi JUNE

» Sun. June 27. June Breakfast on

the Farm, N3931 St. Rd 49, 7 a.m. – noon. Cost, $5 adults, $3 children 6-12. (920) 229-5547, www.eatlocaldairy.com.

Readfield

» Sat. June 27. Chicken BBQ event,

sponsored by Larsen-Winchester Lioness Club in conjunction with the Medina/Dale/Readfield Lioness Club, (920) 836-1887.

Winneconne

» Ongoing, First Monday of month, free community dinner, First Presbyterian Church, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., (920) 867-2880.

JUNE

» Fri. June 4. Movie “The Blind Side”

will play at Waterfront Park on Jumbotron, sponsored by Building the WAY (Winneconne Area Youth), 8:30 p.m., free, www.winneconnewi.gov. » Sat. June 5. Friends of the Library Annual Used Book Sale and reading program kick-off, Winneconne Public Library, (920) 582-4381, www.winneconnelibrary.org. » Sat.-Sun. June 5-6. Winneconne All Species Tournament, Wolf River House Resorts, starts Saturday at 6 a.m. (920) 582-4555, www.wolfriverresorts.com. » Sat. June 26. Mighty Wolf Triathlon, Marble Park, registration at 7 a.m., www.active.com/triathlon/ winneconne-wi/mighty-wolftriathlon-2010.

» Fri.-Mon. July 16-19. Annual

Sovereign State Weekend. Friday fireworks at dusk on waterfront; Saturday, parade at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street and lumberjack show at Arthur Marble Park, music at Waterfront Park. Sunday, annual flea market and craft sale begins at 8:00 a.m., children’s petal tractor pull. (920) 582-4775, www.winneconne.org. » Sat. July 31. Winneconne Booster Club Annual Golf Outing, Lake Breeze Golf Club, two 18-hole scrambles, 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., $70/person, www.winneconneboosterclub.org. » Sun. Aug 8. Oshkosh Triathlon, Lake Winneconne Park, 7 a.m., (920) 338-8741, www.midwestsportsevents.com.

JULY

» Sun. July 4. Fireworks, shot from

barge in the middle of Wolf River, just north of Winneconne Bridge, at dusk.

continued» Pick Your Own Strawberries & Maple Syrup

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S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

CALENDAR of events

Are You Ready for a Triple Challenge?

riathlons—one of America’s fastest-growing sports—are a somewhat silent, portable, people-powered, multi-sport that needs no expensive court, elaborate team or noisy vehicles… just some water and some road and maybe a bit of craziness. Say the word triathlon and many people think of the grueling Hawaiian Iron Man—the event’s modern-day superlong-distance original. Perhaps they’ll envision old TV images of skinny emaciated runners crawling toward the finish line. We’ve come a long way. Now, young and old, men and women, super-athletes and off-the-couch folks, those on thousand-dollar bikes and upon their Grannie’s fat-tire Schwinns come out to have fun in local triathlons in cities and small towns alike. Today’s “tris” typically come in three sizes, with many variations. Sprint triathlons could be as short as a 200-yard swim, a 5-to-10 mile bike and a 3-mile run. A middle distance triathlon, the Olympic, or International, consists of about a 1-mile swim, a 24.8-mile bike) and a 6.2-mile run. For those with lots of training and drive, the Iron Man distance demands a 2.4-mile open-water swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run. For those with less drive, there is the half Iron Man tri. Other than outrigger canoe racing in Hawaii, as an adult, I’ve never competed in any official sport. Like many men and women my age, I enjoyed a brisk walk with friends — maybe five miles, maybe five times a week. Sometimes, I’d go out on my own and canoe, sometimes play some volleyball at a BBQ party. But I grew to need something more as the years went by, and in 2005, I discovered multisports through the Oshkosh Senior Center’s Silver Triathlon, a mini-sprint executed over several days. I was hooked and went on to the Mighty Wolf Tri and other “real” sprints, where I earned trophies for my female, post-60 age division—where the competition usually was meager. I’m training for the Olympic distance this season, but will mostly compete in sprints. The three-discipline tri training programs move you up the swim, bike and run practices with baby-steps—along with

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recommended strength training, and balance and flexibility work. Of course, you may learn to eat more healthfully to support all that and make some friends in triathlon clubs or at races along the way, to improve your social and mental health. See? That makes triathlons almost ideal for attending to the major components of good heath. And in Wolf River Country, there are three fine tris, maybe more—as well as several others close by—in Door County, Green Bay, Cloverleaf Lakes and other locations. The Mighty Wolf Sprint Triathlon will be held Sunday, June 20 in Marble Park in Winneconne. A fund-raiser for Winneconne’s Booster Club, it’s a low-key and super-fun event amply staffed by volunteers. It attracts beginners, families and those who want to check their time in an early-season race. The youth race begins at 8:15 a.m.; the short and long course races immediately after. The swim is in a man-made mini-lake, the bike ride is a westerly loop through farmlands and along the lakeshore, and the run is flat out-and-loop back through a section of west-side Winneconne along the river. Race day registration and packet pick-up is from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Awards are given to the top three in each age division; all youth participants receive a medal. Door prizes are offered for competitors. Distances for the long sprint course (ages 14 and older) are swim 400 yards, bike 15 miles and run 3 miles; for the short sprint course (ages 14 and older), it’s swim 200 yards, bike 10 miles and run 1.5 miles; and the youth course (ages 6-13 years) offers a 40-yard swim, 1.5-mile bike and .5-mile run. On Saturday, July 17, the 12th running of the Fremont Triathlon, billed as a sprint triathlon, will be presented by Neenah-Menasha YMCA. It has distances some may refer to as a super- or mini-sprint, making it perfect for first-time triathletes and those who want a gentle distance with a smaller group in a lovely, fun-fostering resort setting. It’s held at the Hahn-a-lula Resort, just downstream of Fremont on the bend of the Wolf River known as Orihula. The swim is a 1/8 mile (220 yards) in a man-made lake, the bike ride is 12 miles and the run 2 miles. It offers two separate transition areas and 5-year age groups divisions. For more information, contact Neenah Menasha YMCA special event director Debbie Kositzke at (920) 886-2135 or email dkositzke@ymcafoxcities.org. The Oshkosh Triathlon, held in Winneconne at Lake Winneconne Park on the Wolf River’s eastern bank near the bridge, will be held Sunday, Aug. 8 with a 7 a.m. start. Many triathletes find mid-August an ideal time to accept a slightly longer challenge and this Midwest Sports Events triathlon offers an Olympic distance. —By Lynn Kuhns For details go to www.midwestsportsevents.com/oshkoshtri or call 800-429-8044.

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WeyauWega

» Ongoing, through May 23. Glass

works by Mary Beisner, Wega Arts, (920) 867-4888, www.wegaarts.org. » Ongoing, June 11-27, Fiber and Textile Design, Wega Arts, (920) 867-4888, www.wegaarts.org. » Ongoing, May 22, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Film “Mint Julep,” Wega Arts, 7:30 p.m., (920) 867-4888, www.wegaarts.org.

JUNE

» Wed. June 23. “Sex and the City: A

Ladies Night Out,” Wega Arts, 5:30 p.m. (920) 867-4888, www.wegaarts.org.

JULY

» Sat. July 3. Fireworks at Waupaca

County Fairgrounds at dusk. Family activities and food provided by Weyauwega Trails, (920) 867-3411. » Sat. July 10. Film “Getting to the Bottom of Lake Weyauwega,” Wega Arts, 4:30 p.m., Admission $5, (920) 867-4888, www.wegaarts.org.

AUGUST

» Fri.-Sat. Aug. 6-7. Annie Hughes

in concert, Wega Arts, 7 p.m., (920) 867-4888, www.wegaarts.org. » Sat. Aug. 7. Brat Fry on the Wolf River, Gills Landing, noon – 4 p.m., sponsored by Tri-County Power Boat Alliance, www.tcpaweb.googlepages.com. » Wed.-Sun. Aug. 25-29. Waupaca County Fair, Waupaca County Fairgrounds, (920) 867-3395, ww.waupacacountyparks.com.

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S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

ne ws s t r e a m

The Nature

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of Things B y Ly n n K u h n s

Restoring Habitats at Lake Butte des Morts

akes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte de Morts — and the Wolf River itself—have changed drastically over time. The Menasha dams, aggressive shoreline and agricultural development, dredging, pollutants and our sheer human numbers

Ron Brooks

and our styles of interacting with the system and changing its natural water-level

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fluctuations have led to erosion, loss of vital vegetation and of critical nesting, sheltering and foraging areas for wildlife. Wave action can scour, unabated by weed beds and shallows; turbidity and resulting silt can smother. One of several local organizations working for the quality of the Wolf River area —specifically of its lake and shoreline habitats — is the Butte des Morts Conservation Club (BDMCC). Habitat restoration projects are a priority, and they invite the public to work with them toward those goals. The BDMCC was formed in 1994 by a small group of concerned people, most of them members of the local Lions Club, who shared a common goal—to conserve,

preserve and restore endangered wildlife habitat within Lake Butte des Morts and its watershed and wetlands. Meeting with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Winnebago System Biologist Art Techlow and state fisheries experts, the group focused on the Winnebago Comprehensive Management Plan and projects that supported its vision on the lake. The BDMCC now consists of 124 dues-paying members lead by a ninemember board of directors headed in 2010 by President Jim Quillinan and Vice President Don Stowe. BDMCC is a working conservation-oriented organization, with membership available to everyone. continued» S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

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modest residences nearby. Through all seasons, young and old can watch birds, listen to the harmony of frog songs in spring and feel the quiet glory of a wetland winter. It also provides sportspersons with quality duck-hunting and fishing opportunities.

BDMCC Acquires a Keystone Property

p h o t o g r a p h s b y G o r d o n Pa g e l

Land acquisition has been the foundation of much of the habitat restoration work of the club. In 1998, its first purchase and all-time biggest project was the Terrell’s Island Wetland Restoration Area—1,183 acres of mostly wetland habitat along and around a peninsula that juts into Lake Butte des Morts near the mouth of the Fox River, northeast of Omro. The club was assisted in the purchase by public contributions and WDNR grant programs. The land was placed in public trust. The most dramatic and environmentally significant construction has been the Terrell’s Island breakwall, a 1998 WDNR project that built a 15,000foot riprap wall to enclose about 630 acres. “That project is huge,” Techlow said. “If you include the area inside the breakwall, it’s almost 1,200 acres. Just managing it could be a year-round job.” This area has the elements necessary to rebuild and restore a healthy and productive wildlife habitat and spawning grounds for a wide variety of aquatic life, waterfowl and songbirds, reptiles and amphibians. Techlow said, “The breakwall was designed to keep the turbidity of the upper Fox River out of the area and to break down the effects of the wave action of Lake Butte des Morts. Basically, it settles the water, then sunlight gets to the bottom and plants can grow to provide food and cover.” After its construction, there was a dramatic increase in the number of migratory waterfowl, as well as improved water quality and fishing opportunities. Offering a variety of environmental educational experiences to visitors year round, Terrell’s Island Wetland Restoration Area also has a parking lot, welcome sign, portable restroom, and, when available, maps and other handouts. From sunrise to sunset, it attracts solo strollers, family and group hikers, grade-school field trips and serves as a site for post-graduate studies. Its quiet, but rich-with-life serenity is situated about five twisting miles from the nearest highway, with only farmland and

he club recently completed the purchase of 18 additional acres of wetlands and highlands from Lowell Robbins, a BDMCC board director who owned the adjacent property west of the restoration area. That brought the total area to 1,201 acres. Generous community donors, along with a $200,000 grant from the WDNR, raised $245,000 of the $300,000 that was needed for the purchase. “With all of the support we received, we felt that it was better to move forward with what we had, than to lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Quillinan said. “So the decision was made to secure a loan for the remaining $55,000.” The club hopes to retire that debt as soon as possible and welcomes donations. That purchase provides unrestricted access to the breakwall, near the mouth of the Fox River, and includes some higher land, presenting the possibility of construction of a nature-education center,

where people could hold meetings, enjoy workshops and view nature displays. “That property is basically the entrance to the restoration area,” Techlow said. “It’s critical to making the property whole.” Plans are for a 4-mile looping hiking trail to be built out from the new property along the breakwall. “We have work we want to do on that site—it’s always a process,” said Nicole DeKeuster, BDMCC administrative coordinator. Other trails include an easily accessible main trail open to bicyclists that meanders through the wetlands and ends near the clubhouse. A semi-rustic trail is found at the end of the wooden bridge near the w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

p h o t o g r a p h s b y R I C H M AY E R

entrance, and a third, more rustic trail, winds around the wetlands. Club members and other volunteers hold workdays to improve the trails and breakwall. Last winter, the club added the seventh and last of the planned nesting islands. Sand, rock and clay were brought to the area once the lake ice was to be thick w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

enough to hold the equipment. With several years of mild winters, it took the club about 10 years to complete the project. Since the breakwall was installed, water clarity has increased significantly, and such desirable aquatic vegetation as wild celery and wild rice has taken root. But over the course of the years, adjustments continuedÂť S u m m e r 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Wolf River country |

Still learning What WorkS

or example, the nesting islands, originally planted with prairie grasses, once hosted 10 to 15 pairs of mallards. The islands later attracted ring-billed gulls, which, by sheer numbers, have tramped the vegetation and deposited their guano. American white pelicans also arrived— more than a thousand of them—gobbling up game-fish fry and leaving all their waste behind. The club continues to monitor the islands as they settle, and to restructure and re-enforce them. “We’re still learning what works, and what doesn’t,” said Quillinan, “but the construction of the islands is pretty much complete. We’ll be adding native plants and other vegetation, as well as fencing and netting for added protection.” With thousands of water birds in the area, the quality of the water within the breakwall also may be issue. While the water isn’t stagnant, there is limited

interchange with the waters of Lake Butte des Morts. “We may be seeing some problems with over-fertility,” Techlow said. “The water clarity has gone down, there are some blooms of algae and we’re seeing some color in the water that wasn’t there before.” Another consideration is that carp may be residing over-winter within the enclosure, with their fry benefiting from the security of the dirty water. Reports are that catches of panfish and largemouth bass seem to have gone down from several years ago. The impact of fish-eating birds, and the interplay of birds, carp and water quality, and, perhaps finding ways for the nesting islands to attract more desirable birds—all have to be examined by the DNR and the club. “When you have a large area like this, and you start managing it, it’s a big, ongoing project,” Techlow said.

Community and Support, money and partnerShipS

ith projects like these, nothing happens without dreams, research, engineering, materials, construction and experts to guide it all and volunteer

poygan Conservation Club aids local Causes Another group interested in habitat preservation is the Poygan Conservation Club (PCC). Not to be confused with the Lake Poygan Sportman’s Club, members of the PCC meet at their clubhouse on Haase Road on the second Tuesday of most months. Work of the 125-member organization includes pheasant-chick releases; building, installing and maintaining wood-duck houses; and financial support for habitat work, such as the Pony Creek restoration project, coordinated by the Lake Poygan Sportsmen’s Club. They also present the PCC Kid’s Fisheree, held along Pony Creek in

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Tustin, beginning at 8 a.m. on July 10, rain or shine. It offers fishing (until noon), prizes and refreshments free to any child age 15 or under accompanied by an adult. “It’s a great event for kids, especially for those who don’t have someone to take them fishing,” said PCC president Chris Holm. I’m a big believer in giving kids the opportunity to fish and showing them how much fun it can be. As a club, we’re really trying to gear toward the kids.” For more information on the club, call Holm at (920) 420-2877.

p h o t o g r a p h b y r I C h M ay E r

have to be made. “Some of those gains that we made have been set back a bit,” Techlow conceded. “We have more work to do, but that’s just the nature of things.”

workers to bring it to reality. Fundraisers coordinated by the BCMCC include a summer time Fun Run raffle at local taverns and restaurants and a 15-gun raffle. The club recently held its spring banquet, both a fundraiser and social/informational event, at the Fin ’n’ Feather. “It’s a tough climate for fundraising,” DeKeuster said, “but we did get a lot of smaller donations from the community for the land acquisition, so people do want to support our work. We’re so grateful for that.” The club also seeks to establish partnerships with other conservation organizations, youth clubs, schools and government agencies. One example is control of the invasive purple loosestrife, with which the Galerucella Beetle can assist. The BDMCC has been working with hundreds of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh biology students and local Boy Scouts to raise and release these beetles at the site. UW-Oshkosh Biology Professor Robert Stelzer has called Terrell’s Island “a living laboratory. He uses the area to discuss the ecosystem functions performed by wetlands, invasive species and wetland restoration. “The vast majority of students in Biology 104 have never visited a wetland as large and relatively undisturbed as Terrell’s Island,” he said. For more wildlife photos visit www.flicker. com/photos/richmayer. Visit the Butte des Morts Conservation Club online at www.bdmcc.org. w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

wild

on the

Skiing, wakeboarding make B y J a y e a l d e r s o n waves in Wolf River Country

ike action on the water? Look no further than wolf river country, which is often considered a hotbed of opportunity for those who enjoy active water sports. from barefoot water skiing to wakeboarding, slalom skiing and wake surfing, people can learn these sports from world

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time; we thought we should open it to the public.” Fort Fremont also offers Wakeboard Wednesdays, at which former national champion Gordy Bubolz and Team Fort Fremont offer free first-time lessons for beginning to advanced wakeboarders. The lessons are held weekly, except for tournament dates. Thomson said wakeboarding is like taking a surfboard, putting bindings on it and being towed by a boat at 15 to 20 miles an hour. “You can do all kinds of different maneuvers,” he said. “You can even get a surfing feel. You’re not near the ocean, but you can create that kind of atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun and excellent exercise. It takes physical strength and fitness to improve.” Thomson said wakeboarding appeals to the younger crowd because of their involvement in snowboarding and skateboarding. “But all ages can do it,” he said. “It gives opportunities for families to be involved in this recreation together.” Bubolz agreed. “I think it’s a great family activity. They can all go out in the boat and spend time together. I think that’s huge. It gets a lot of people into it when they see what a good family sport it is.” Bubolz has been involved in water sports his entire life because of his own family. His father, Gordon “Allen” Bubolz, is inducted into the Wisconsin Water Ski Hall of Fame. While attending water ski camps continued»

 GoRdy BuBolz

champions right here in WRC. “There is a vast amount of water for the people to use, from the lakes to the river,” said Jeff Thomson, an owner of Fort Fremont Marine, a recreational action sports marina. “You start out with the Wolf River, and then you get to Partridge Lake, another stretch of the Wolf River that is wide and deep, Lakes Poygan, Butte des Morts and Winnebago, the Fox River. It’s all interconnected. “In a lot of other areas, you have a body of water like a lake, and you’re kind of limited. You get a few boats out there and it’s pretty busy. Here, it’s spread out. What makes the Wolf River special is that it’s a safe area to do the water sports in because of the depth of the water. Hidden shallows are not that common. Choppy water can be fatiguing and makes it hard to do these sports,” he said. “When you go into the Wolf River, the shoreline is blocked by trees. It doesn’t get so choppy, and it has some real nice areas. That’s what makes it so popular to ride in and ski in.” Fort Fremont Marine held its annual Demo Days the weekend of May 1, and the event has become known in the area as the traditional kickoff to the summer water sports season. “People can come out and test products all the way from wakeboards to boats,” Thomson said. “It started out (about 15 years ago) where we invited friends over to try out water skis. We had such a good

Ron BRooks

Sometimes water sports are as much about the socializing as they are about sport. A boatload of friends can eliminate the need for additional ballast and provide a captive audience. And well… if no one sees you throw a “Tantrum” why bother?

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Ron BRooks GoRdy BuBolz

Ron BRooks

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in Florida, Gordy Bubolz became hooked on wakeboarding. “I just think it’s fun,” he said. “There’s always something new to learn. You never run out of tricks to do. Even now, there’s a list of tricks I have in my back of my mind. When you have a goal trick that you’ve wanted to land for a long time—when you finally get it, that’s a great feeling.” Bubolz won several national tournaments, including those of the 1997 World Wakeboard Association and the 2004 American Wake Association. He still competes in the local Fort Fremont tournaments on occasion, but he is more focused now on coaching.

He said Wisconsin has a long history in show skiing. “Wisconsin has been one of the pioneering stars in show skiing and in developing show ski teams,” Bubolz said. “I think that there are more show ski teams in the state of Wisconsin than any other state. I think that adds to the participation in wakeboarding. We’re blessed with great waterways like the Wolf River and great lakes throughout the state. Within 15 minutes, most people can get to a really great lake where they can water ski or wakeboard.” Todd Gruetzmacher, president of the Webfooters water ski show team in Fremont, said the tradition of show skiing drew him as a teenager. “I thought it was pretty cool to walk on water in

Learning from a champion

or the past 17 years, the Gordy Bubolz Wakeboard School in Fremont has been offering the best in wakeboard instruction and draws students from around the world. “We stress teaching the basics of wakeboarding such as proper edging, release and pop off the wake, and basic 180s,” Bubolz said. “Once you master these areas, it will be so much easier to learn various inverts and spins. It’s also a good idea to have some tricks in mind that you would like to learn so we can work towards that goal.” Appleton native Bubolz is former national champion wakeboarder. His camp offers six-day camps as well as half-day and day lesson. About 300 students come each summer, and many of them are returning students. Camps will start June 13. “We offer coaching programs for all ages and experience levels, from beginners to world champions,” Bubolz said. “We use the latest coaching techniques and world class towboats from Correct Craft to help you take your riding to the next level. We’ve had many people come to the camp that have never water-skied or tried wakeboarding. As a

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beginner, it is better to learn things the right way before you have time to build bad habits. The learning curve is much faster for beginners; at the end of the week many people can’t believe how much they have progressed.” Bubolz said the camp’s setting on the Wolf River is advantageous. “We ride on a 13-mile stretch of the Wolf River that is wind-protected, deep and absolutely perfect for wakeboarding,” he said. “I’ve ridden on other lakes and rivers all across the country, and I don’t think any of them can compare to what we have here in Fremont.” Bubolz said the goal of the camp is to teach people how to safely progress in wakeboarding, while having a fun time out on the water. Watching others of all skill levels helps everyone improve, he says. “When you watch someone land a trick for the first time, it gets everyone in the boat psyched and gives motivation

for your own riding,” he said. “By riding in the boat, you’ll also learn techniques to coach people at different skill levels. “Running the camp is a dream come true,” Bubolz said. “When I attended a training camp in Florida I my teens, I thought, ‘This is so much fun. It’s awesome.’ I never really dreamed I would be doing the same thing. It’s not like work. It’s fun for me.”

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your bare feet,” he said. “The rush is the speed of the whole thing. You’re going 40 miles an hour, approximately.” Skiing with the club is a timeconsuming devotion, he said. There are two shows a week and three days of practice during the summer. Gruetzmacher also finds active water sports a great family activity. His wife, Amy, is a spotter in boats, helping ensure safety for drivers and skiers. She also is the club’s membership director. Their son, Jared, 16, has been skiing since he was about 7 and does barefoot skiing, doubles and barefoot pyramid climbing. Their daughter, Jaden, 11, does doubles, climbs pyramids and is starting to slalom ski. “My wife figured if I was going to do it, she’d better get involved or she wouldn’t see me too much,” Gruetzmacher said. “Sometimes it’s a little chaotic, but it’s nice being together all the time.” He likes the appeal of barefooting. “Once you learn one trick, you want to learn another,” he said. “Not a lot of people do it, so it’s unique. It’s fun to do. I find it a good workout for my body and to stay in shape. You’re out in the water and fresh air and the river. It’s a beautiful place.” Gruetzmacher said the water ski shows offer wholesome family entertainment, with skiers ranging from 4 or 5 years old up to the late 50s. “It’s a very tight-knit group of people that becomes an extended family,” he said. “You’re with them a lot, five days a week. You have 98 people, and it’s hard to get them going in the same direction at the same time. The guy who taught me how to barefoot is still one of my best friends. It develops a unique opportunity for a lot of people.” He said this year’s team includes skiers who have performed at Sea World and with Tommy Bartlett in Wisconsin Dells. “It’s the most talented Webfooters I’ve seen in a long time, so it should be a lot of fun.”

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S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

on t h e wat e r

A Bounty of Fish

By Joel “Doc” Kunz

DNR’s Kamke on Harvesting the Winnebago System

tasty meal of fresh fish is often what drives many local anglers to pursue the bounty of the Winnebago lake system, which includes the Wolf River basin, due to the migratory nature of many fish species. Walleye, white bass and perch are probably the most sought-after table fare, with crappie, bluegill and catfish close behind. Northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, along with a growing population of muskie, are mainly pursued for sport. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rules allow for the keeping of all of these species, but additional consideration should be given to the current populations of these species and specific year classes when deciding whether to harvest or release a caught fish. DNR fisheries biologist Kendall Kamke weighs in on the harvesting of fish in the Winnebago system. Walleye The walleye is “king” as table fare and as a sport fish on the Wolf River and Winnebago lake system. A poor year class last year, along with what looks like a less than optimal spawn in 2010, has some concerned. But Kamke said the walleye population is in good shape, and with the 2008-year class on the horizon, it looks to be that way for a long time. “Although the males would be the best bet for selective harvest, keeping a post spawn female as a part of your bag limit should not be frowned on,” said Kamke. “If you think a 22-inch post spawn female would make a good meal, then go for it. We have bag limits in place to protect the fishery.” 32 | Wolf River country • S u m m e r

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Of greater concern to Kamke is the practice of catching a five-fish limit as often as you can and filling the freezer. According to the rules, each angler can only have 10 walleye total in possession— including what’s in the freezer. Over harvesting by greedy anglers is the biggest threat to the walleye fishery. White Bass Aside from walleye, another good freezer filler is white bass. With no size or bag limit, white bass provide anglers with many fish to stock up on. White bass provide a nice, sweet, flaky filet perfect for large groups and family functions. Even though there are a lot in the system, releasing pre-spawn females is a good practice. Put kept fish on ice immediately after catching for the best results. Perch Perch has long been sought-after for Friday night fish fries. In recent years, the perch population has been strong. With some jumbos in the mix and multiple strong year classes, perch fishing should stay strong in 2010, Kamke believes. w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

Crappie Crappie is another panfish with some strong year classes in the system that provides great table fare and a target species that should help keep pressure off fish like northern pike and smallmouth and largemouth bass. From spring through fall, crappies are plentiful throughout the system. w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m



Future Study Kamke is considering an age/ length study on the panfish population—adding information to his scores of research amassed over the years. But that will depend on time and budget. Regardless of the study becoming a reality, information gathered to date shows healthy, harvestable populations of a variety of fish species. If anglers make good decisions when it comes to selective harvesting, that should continue for years. Photographer, writer and avid fisherman Joel “Doc” Kunz is the founder of www. wolfrivercountry.com. He can be reached at joel@docswaters.com.

P h o t o grap h c o u r t e s y o f J o e l “ D o c ” K u n z

Game Fish The DNR changed bag and size limits on northern pike several years ago. The 26-inch size and two-fish bag limit have helped rebuild what had been a struggling population. The Muskie population also seems to be growing, especially on the upper lake waters of Winneconne and Poygan. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are available throughout the system in good numbers. When you consider the great table fare all the other species mentioned provide, pursuing Northern Pike, Muskie and bass on a catch-and-release basis will ensure the quality of the fishery for the future.



 PhotoGRAPH by Steve Jordan

Bluegills “The same can be said for the burgeoning bluegill population in the Winnebago lake system,” Kamke said. “Numbers and year class strengths are unlike anything seen in decades.” That has translated to some fantastic bluegill fishing on the system the last couple of years. Now, with some older year classes in the mix, big Bull bluegills, those over 9 inches, are being caught. “A 9 or 10-inch bluegill is comparable to a 26- or 27-inch walleye, in regard to its impact on the future population of the fishery. That means releasing some of them is a good idea. Anglers keeping fish should spread the take out over the keeper-size year classes, even if they stumble on a pocket of the best fish.”

P h o t o c o u r t e s y R e d Ba n ks R e s o r t

Although Lake Winnebago sees most of the perch action, they can be found just about anywhere. Anglers in New London have remarked at some quality catches of perch not normally seen in such numbers in that area. The Big Cut and Colic Slough are two backwaters known to attract perch. The mouths of the Waupaca River and Rat River can also produce quality catches of this coveted panfish. “Anglers harvesting perch should consider releasing some of the bigger fish,” said Kamke, “and mix the year classes being kept. That will assure diversity and the best case scenario for keeping populations strong.”

 When it comes to walleye, the debate over catch-and-release can become heated! But to Kamke, keeping an occasional legal limit of walleyes is less of a concern then the practice of stocking ones freezer. The possession limit is 10, and that includes what is in your freezer.  Joel “Doc” Kunz with a spawner from this spring. She weighed 9.5 pounds on a Berkley scale and was released.  Crappie and bluegill populations in the river are extremely healthy, with good year classes of larger fish. Even so, Kamke suggests selective harvest be practiced. He feels a 10-inch bluegill deserves the same consideration given a 27-inch walleye when it comes to the practice of catch-and-release. Here local guides Louis Woods and Randy Williams display nice Wolf River panfish. S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

Th e

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The Embarrass flows through mostly farmland, but it is buffered by lowland forest and marsh. w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

s a s r O

kquinoc Sapora, which translates to “floating wood,” was the Native American name for the undulating ribbon of water known as the Embarass, which seemingly attempts to mimic every twist and turn of the Wolf River flowing parallel to it, just to the east. The French adopted the name and called it La Riviere s’embarrass (the river that is embarrassed) or interrupted by driftwood. The Embarrass, though it may attempt to mimic the Wolf with some nimble twists and turns, is considerably smaller and shallower. But another common trait shared by the rivers is the propensity to flood in the spring. As the Embarrass winds its way through the heart of some of Wolf River Country’s richest farmland, most of its banks are buffered by lowland forest and marsh. The combination of flooding and undeveloped, forested shoreline provide for an unlimited supply of “floating wood,” and I assure you, the Embarrass lives up to its name. Undeveloped, forested shoreline is the phrase that should get your attention, if you’re looking for a close-to-home, scenic float-trip to add to your summer things-todo list. I’d put this one toward the top. You don’t need to be a fisherman to enjoy this river, but if you float its lower stretches, especially below State Hwy. 76, be prepared for plenty of

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B y

G o r d o n

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river ver of Floating Wood and leaping Smallmouth

River

above: Gordy Pagel with his biggest fish of the day. right: a white spinnerbait with a black twister tail is my favorite lure for probing wood.

“woody” obstructions. When floating this stretch of the Embarrass last July, my friend Mike Goggins and I encountered six downed trees spanning the entire width of the river. We managed to pull over four, but two others required us to portage a 14foot Jon boat. Cautionary note: don’t do this trip if you’re not prepared continued» S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

Above: Mike Goggins with a nice Embarrass smallmouth. Right: Oh yeah, there was a fish in there. No, I wasn’t able to land him.

or willing to make that sort of effort…oh, but it’s so worth the effort!

Floating Wood Often Equals Fish All that floating wood creates an incredible habitat for smallmouth bass, and when

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Mike and I dropped the Jon boat in at the Highway 76 bridge last July, determining if incredible habitat means incredible fishing is all we had on our minds.

Water levels are typically low this time of year, and if you prefer, you can wade some stretches of the river. With the amount of wood in the river, sometimes

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Google Earth is a great tool for exploring possible access points on local rivers. You can do your scouting from the kitchen table. The free download provides 360-degree views. It’s like actually standing on the bridge. Visit www.earth.google.com.

this is the only way to get at the fish. In some instances, I found myself climbing on downed trees and literally going out on a limb to get at a likely smallmouth hideout. On this trip, we encountered extremely low water levels, which made it relatively easy to locate fish.

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The combination of finding the deepest water, locating the wood habitats and casting accurately was the formula that resulted in us catching and releasing more than 40 smallmouth bass. This is not just a numbers game either. We were unable to break the 20-inch barrier, but we measured a dozen fish between 18 and

20 inches. That’s a quality fish regardless of where you are fishing.

Selecting Lures Lure choice always depends on the conditions you encounter, but is also subjective because more then one lure will work. I suspect that’s because continued»

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

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County Highway H • Fremont, WI

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920-446-2442

from the fish’s point of view, it’s only about survival. My choice here is simple. It has to be something you can throw into a pile of wood and have at least a chance of getting back out without snagging. I also like to watch a smallmouth blast a lure on or near the surface. My number one choice is the conventional safety pin spinnerbait. I like white tipped with a black twister tail, and I usually start with a copper Colorado blade. With proper line control—the key is to avoid slack when casting—you can throw into wood and usually get back out. With a fish on the end of the line, however, that prospect becomes more uncertain, but that’s why we’re here in the first place. My second choice would be the Strike King Zulu, a 4-inch soft-bodied jerk bait. When rigged properly, it is totally weedless, and at times, it seems to drive smallies crazy! Timing for this trip should be after the water has had time to heat up a little. So late June, July and into August are good choices, with July being optimal. Where you put in and take out depends on how much time you are willing to spend on the water. Public access is limited below Highway 76. From the town of Embarrass to Highway 76, there are a few more options. Our choice was to pull-out at Spurr Road. Don’t make the same choice unless you are willing to spend 12 hours in a canoe or Jon boat. The trip can be cut in half by ending or starting at an access found at the end of Schwandt Road on the west side of the river. It is literally less then a 10-minute drive from either the Highway 76 Bridge or Spurr Road. The Embarrass River is an incredible resource, and the fishing is unique. We never tried for walleye specifically, but during the course of the day, we caught three nice ones. In one trip the Embarrass went from my list of rivers never fished, to my list of trips that can’t be missed! If you haven’t fished the Embarrass, this would be a good year for you to get it off your never fished list. w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

Passing Currents

Saving Tradition...

here’s an old wooden canoe all stripped of its canvasand-paint cover, its seats removed and rotting gunwales and ribs exposed. It rests in Jechort’s Wood Boat Works on Winneconne’s Main Street. On the late April afternoon when I visited, the workshop’s dim lighting made that modest vessel look almost surreal—like it wasn’t a boat so much as a tender treasure saved from a dusty cave or hijacked from some hidden tomb. It came from its simple perch on a pair of sawhorses near an 87-year-old woman’s cottage. The man who’s restoring it, Dwight Jechort, spoke with warmth about the woman whom he had met only by phone. She resides in Washington and is willing to spend more than $7,000 to restore that fragile-looking, yet somehow determined, old canoe. From what Jechort understands, the owner wants that canoe fixed up for her children and grandchildren, for their time spent up at her cottage on Clover Leaf Lake. My guess is that she wants to preserve the family’s memories, to extend all the fun they can have out within Nature. That she’s happy to pay for an expert to remove what isn’t working and replace it with something that will—to refresh and build upon what remains that’s still good. The canoe’s steel nails had rusted and punked out the wood;

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P h o t o g r a p h s b y g o r d o n pa g e l

...to touch, admire or sit on and paddle your heart out

exposed cedar ribs had rotted and Jechort found shoddy previous repair work. “When I got into it, I had to tell her [the owner] that it would cost more than I had quoted,” he said. “She answered, ‘Well, I guess I’m just as crazy as those people who spend thousands of dollars to fix up an old car. So, go ahead.’” The Thompson canoe was made in Peshtigo, Wis., probably in the mid 1940s, Jechort estimated. Canoes often were made of cedar strips nailed into place on the ribs and gunwales, with the tiny nails S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

Passing Currents

Lynn Kuhns

crudely bent over to cinch them down. According to Jechort, the canoe would then be wrapped with canvas, which was stretched taught and treated with airplane dope or white lead paint, “kind of like a cocoon.” “Each spring, when you first put the boat in the water, it would be dried out, with the canvas acting like a protective 40 | Wolf River country • S u m m e r

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shell,” he added, “But the cedar has a tendency to swell very rapidly, so the canvas would hold the boat and stretch, making it pretty much watertight.” Jechort put in more than 90 hours of work. With a final coating of paint, the old canoe is closer to original than the glossy wood canoes and kayaks made by homebuilders.

“Back then, hardly anyone had a natural wood-finished canoe. That’s more recent — because of products like epoxy resin that lets you seal the wood and show its beauty. The natural construction of a canoe like this is kind of crude — not really pleasing to the eye,” Jechort said. Though his professional passion rides more with vintage Chris Craft and other motorized pleasure boats than canoes, in the dim afternoon light of his shop, looking down at the old vessel, Jechort understands the power and pull of that canoe. “Some people — when they acquire something like that — when they have it for years and years, for them, it has a lot of sentimental value.” Yes. I had to stroke the smooth sweetness of the canoe’s sanded cedar shell; run my fingers over its woven seat and marvel at its many ribs, still arching up strongly after maybe 60 years. I wanted to meet that woman, to thank her. I wanted to paddle away in a vessel like that some day with a person like her as a friend. Isn’t that old canoe a part of what will be her legacy—packed to the gunwales with her gifts and values, outfitted to drift out into a calming love of water and nature or prepped to go white-water-rafting into a fun, wave-tossed, family summer? It’s the saved and rescued things — like that canoe — that have a way of bringing us all together. As family. w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

The Things We hold dear

have some things to share. a teenage neighbor girl was helping with spring yard cleaning. We’d stopped for a break and some iced tea and she was walking around my in house, slowly, as only teenagers can saunter. “You have some neat things,” she said, holding an ancient, leather-covered fountain pen case and toying with its tiny gold swing-latch. “it’s almost like your home is a museum. i like it.” i looked up at the pen case that my friend was stroking, and i thought of Marco, the somewhat randy, always smiling, elderly neighbor who died last fall. i bought his pen in its tiny case for 50 cents at his son’s garage sale. it’s now my treasure; part of my home. andd now my friend’s treasure, too. But we don’t own it — not like Marco did, as a pen, a tool. it had become more, for coming through time from him, for not being needed to do something. Just a tiny clasp over soft leather, holding a pen. Precious, something saved, to touch and share…while i miss him. nice. Just like an old canoe, its cedar, sanded satiny-clean. on my fireplace mantel, there’s the old wooden duck decoy that my dad had rescued from some barn. its ts tail was shot to heck and water had white-stained its back. But dadd had resurrected it to something like art. Beneath that decoy, my brother’s snowshoes lean in a corner, their old leather straps coiled in a dry promise of still being work-able. decades ago, he was a U.s. forest ranger who trudged through winters in Utah’s foothills and forests on those shoes. With amber webs of shellacked strips of rawhide, now they wait. like that pen. like Marco. like my decoy, and like my dad. like that canoe does — they all wait, to remind, inspire and be played with, shared in thought and action. how often do we make those judgments, to save, toss or stuff things away, or to cherish them in a place of honor? and what rules our decisions? how easy, for a woman in the twilight of her life to have sold that old rotten canoe and had

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some extra spending money. ho how easy for Marco to have scrapped that old pen when the new ballpoints came out? how easy for dad to have ignored that shot-to-hell decoy; for my brother to have kicked away his old snowshoes? But... wait: Much of history rests in, grows from and seeps into us from things. Family traditions — our own poetic and precious stories — do, too. They can trickle into our souls from things we can gaze at, caress, use, display... or paddle away in. While we all have too much old stuff and way too little time and money to fix it, what is more important than the care and resurrection of those special mute and marvelous things that clearly define and warmly embrace our personal connections? ask some dear old lady at a rural cottage some day, or her grandkids. or my teen neighbor. or come, see my decoy; know my dad. Better yet, make time to take a small old treasure, remove what isn’t working and replace it with something that will and build upon that which remains as good. it just may be your soul. –lynn Kuhns

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

Quiet

Waters By Will Stahl

Exploring Wolf River Country by Paddle

p h o t o g r a p h s

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HE loWER WolF IS A RIvER In old AgE. noT THAT IT IS A PARTICulARly

old river, but it has the characteristics of a river in geologic old age. Why this should be so is a tale for another time, but what it means for a certain stripe of paddler is a relaxed but very exploratory adventure.

In that geologic sense, a river in old age is one flowing down near its base level, the place where it ends—in the case of the Wolf, the Winnebago pool. A river in this stage of life doesn’t have much downhill left to run, so it doesn’t have the gravitational force to push straight through the landscape. Instead it meanders to and fro, looking for the path of least resistance. Its slow but relentless cutting power pushes the ends of its bends farther and farther out until they become so elongated that the river cuts through the base when the extra force of high water gives it the chance, leaving an “oxbow,” a horseshoe-shaped channel that for a while remains a part of the river. Eventually, the entrance and exit of that channel silt in to make an “oxbow lake” that slowly fills with decaying vegetation becoming first a wetland, then finally just a curving scar on the landscape. Enough of this process and the land near the river becomes a maze of cuts and bayous, marsh and ponds and old dead channels. Because of this restless wandering, much of the river frontage is not appropriate for development, being in marshy or wooded wetland or cut off from easy access by old channels and soggy ground. The same characteristics that make it difficult to develop make it ideal wildlife habitat and leave the paddler many backwaters to explore and fish, waters not accessible to powerboats. Any animals and birds that like things wet—and they w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

are many—can be found along the Wolf, and the quiet boats can see them much more easily than the noisy kind. Though I’ve spent many happy days on the rockier, steeper upper parts of the Wolf, I have been very little on the lower, slower parts. To get a better feel for what that might be like, I called veteran kayaker and photographer Andrew Horan. Since 1970, Horan has been paddling his Folbot (a kayak that can be folded up into a bag) on the Wolf and other places. He knows well the Wolf between Shawano and Shiocton, but he avoids the river below that where it shows “more signs of people.” Above Shiocton, the river flows through mostly lowland forest, unlogged so long it appears pristine. His favorite section for scenic quality is between County F and Shiocton where “you can paddle all day long and see only three cottages.” Floating down from CTH F takes three to four hours, but to avoid shuttles, he often starts at the Koepke access on Rt. 76 in Shiocton and paddles upstream, then turns and floats back to his car. “Seeing eagles is common stuff,” Horan said. He expressed amazement that this wonderful stretch of river is so little known, though so close to populated areas. Perhaps it will not remain quite so unvisited; with the recent growth in paddle sports, businesses all along the river are looking for ways to help people get out on the Wolf by canoe continued» S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

The lower Wolf is a quiet, timeless place where the adventure lies in what you might find up that little bayou or in watching a heron or eagle break slowly into flight at your approach.

and kayak. To see what was available to those wanting to paddle Wolf River Country, I visited many of those who are trying, in their various ways, to promote this underused resource. Beginning at the end, near Lake Poygan, I talked to Violet Kiesow of Kiesow’s Landing, a dairy farm on the Rat River that has evolved into an enterprise focusing on the river. Though their main business is providing launching and storage for power boats along with bait and other supplies for fishermen, they have a soft spot for anyone who wants to appreciate raw nature. While launching, power boaters turn left toward Poygan, but the Kiesows suggest paddlers turn right and head up the Rat (named for muskrat, not those vermincarrying city rats) into the silent wetlands. Few powerboats will follow. What will follow are opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. You can see “just about every native bird,” Kiesow said,

specifically mentioning osprey, bald eagle, sandhill crane, blue heron and the endangered yellow-headed blackbird. They see wood ducks and teal; wild turkeys are moving into the area. Kiesow’s has bait and snacks, but no alcohol. They charge only $1 to launch a canoe or kayak. A fountain supplies water, and picnic tables are available. Kiesow suggested a trip upriver to South Road would be a mile and a half; another mile and a half would bring the paddler to CTH II and the Country Inn. The Wolf River and an interesting backwater fishing area called the Zeider Zee are just downstream. The Country Inn, at the intersection of County II and the Rat River, is another possible beginning or ending point for a Wolf River Country paddling trip. If you want to put in or take out here, call owner Mark Franz first, or at least stop in the restaurant to find out where parking is allowed. Under those circumstances, Franz is fine with people accessing the river and parking in his spacious lot. The Country Inn is a cozy little supper

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club, open at 4 p.m. most days, but now also open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Some miles up the Wolf, in Fremont, Ma’s Bait is a longtime business that is making the leap into paddle sports. Owner Brenda Parker said they will be renting and selling canoes and kayaks, beginning as soon as they receive their shipment of life jackets. Daily, weekend and weekly rates will be available. Ma’s Bait will be carrying quality brand sof boats, including Perception, Dagger, Mad River and Old Town. If someone rents a boat and chooses to buy one like it, the rental will be applied to the purchase price. Some kayaks will be angler-specific, with fish finders and other fisher-friendly features. Though they don’t plan to run shuttles, Ma’s Bait will have car carriers available to ease loading of a boat on your vehicle. Just north of Hortonville, where CTH M crosses the Wolf, is Damn Yankees Watering Hole, a log and stone bar and grill with a Wolf River view. Co-owner Tom Olk said they intend to start renting canoes and rafts this season. He will run shuttles, both for people renting his boats and those with their own; a trip from Stephensville back to his place should take about 2-1/2 to three hours; floating from Shiocton could take five to six hours. A longer trip could be downstream to the area of the Hwy 45 bypass at New London, maybe six to eight hours. A shower will be available after a long day on the river, and

Kiesow’s Landing, Kiesow Road off CTH MM; Boat launch and storage, bait, licenses, snacks; www.kiesowslanding.com, (920) 836-2590. Country inn, CTH II at the Rat River; supper club, weekend breakfast; www.countryinnontheratriver. com, (920) 836-3153. Ma’s Bait and taCKLe, Hwy. 110, Fremont; canoe and kayak rental and sales, bait, licenses, snacks, soda, beer and ice; www.masbait.com, (920) 446-2444. daMn yanKees watering HoLe, CTH M at the Wolf River; canoe and raft rental, shuttles, bar and grill, open for breakfast 6 a.m.; (920) 779-4902. rustiC woLf inn, Hwy 76, Shiocton; canoe and kayak rental, shuttles, lodging; www.rusticwolfinn. com, (920) 986-1300. river’s edge CaMping and tuBing resort, CTH F at the Wolf River; canoe rental, tubing, shuttles, campground with complete store, bar, restaurant, activities; www.wolfriversedge.com, (715) 752-3344.

Steve & Lynn’s Carryouts 920-446-2414 The Best Kept Secret on Lake Poygan!

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• Friday Night Seafood Platter • T-Bone Steak • Baked Parmesan Grouper

• Open 11am – Close • Kitchen Closes at 9pm (Fridays 10pm) • Closed Tuesday

• Homemade Soups!

Located on County Road H in Tustin.

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S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

Olk expects to have a campground in operation, maybe as soon as this year. Damn Yankees opens at 6 a.m. for breakfast and features two happy hours per day. Its rustic airy interior, decorated with Civil War items, service-branch flags and a full-size Harley, is a pleasant place to spend some time. Traveling north a few miles farther, I met with Tim Conradt, owner of the Rustic Wolf Inn, who showed me the carefully detailed 15-foot long sturgeon statue he is making to be Shiocton’s iconic symbol. His base on the river is a rustic lodge, featuring three spacious one-bedroom suites, all with full kitchen and a view of the Wolf rolling by. He rents canoes and kayaks, but does not rent tubes, preferring his clientele be people who appreciate the river and don’t just come to party hearty. Rather than offer pre-planned trips, he will take people “wherever they want to go,” on whatever section of the Wolf or Embarrass they want to do. The sections upstream from Shiocton feature wildlife, little development, a good current and sandbars to stop on for swimming and picnicking. Powerboats are few. Fishing is good for small mouth and other warm water fish. Conradt rents Old Town and Rouge River canoes and Old Town and Perception kayaks, and he anticipates expanding his fleet this year. Farthest upriver of the places I contacted was River’s Edge Camping Resort. Owner Steve Parri and his family provide a wide variety of services. For those interested in the river, they offer

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canoe and tube trips. They take most of their canoe customers up to the Hwy.156 bridge to float back to River’s Edge, passing only four cottages in 9-1/4 miles. Along the way, canoeists can expect to see eagles and even sturgeon. No primitive camping is allowed on the river, but River’s Edge has 75 sites with a heated bathroom. They have a bar and restaurant, many family-friendly activities and a cabin for rent. When most Wisconsin paddlers hear “Wolf River,” they think of the rowdy, rocky sections north of the Menomonee Reservation. That’s a different, younger river than the one that wanders through Wolf River Country and offers a very different experience. The lower Wolf is a quiet, timeless place where the adventure lies in what you might find up that little bayou or in watching a heron or eagle break slowly into flight at your approach. If exploring a primeval-looking forest in silence and solitude appeals to you, paddle the lower Wolf River. I know I will. Safety note: Though the lower Wolf has no rapids and is mostly quite safe, all rivers are dangerous at very high water. If the river appears to be bank-full, has much floating debris or is up in the trees and has a current that appears roiled and swirling, it’s probably best to stay off, particularly if you are inexperienced. Upsets happen much more easily under these circumstances and the consequences can be severe. Come back when the water goes down.

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3D Archery Range • Sporting Goods Store • Bar & Grill all under one roof!

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Fabulou s Fishing on Partridg e Lake

By JoeL “DoC” kunz

Swing Away!

A Directory of Wolf River Country’s Golf Courses Signature Holes, Local favorites and Doc’s favorite Holes Lake Breeze GoLf CLuB 18 Holes / Pro Shop / Driving range / restaurant 6333 Ball Prairie rd., Winneconne, (920) 582-7585 ith water coming in to play on eight holes and 37 bunkers, there is plenty to challenge players, including length. Measuring 6,882 yards from the back tees, 6,367 yards from the middle and 5,730 yards from the front, Lake Breeze offers a round of golf that you’ll want to enjoy again and again.

Signature Hole: Dave Petrack, general manager and director of golf at Lake Breeze, says hole number #1 is their signature hole because of the green, which is shaped like the state of Wisconsin. At 383 yards from the white tees, many players find this par 4 hole to be very tough. It plays directly south; many times into the wind and is guarded with a pond on the left side and a large bunker on the right side as you approach the green. Petrack’s personal favorite is the par 4 sixth hole. While measuring 352 yards long from the white tees, the second shot into the green requires precision iron length, as the green is guarded in the front by a large pond and then a wooded area 10 yards behind the green. Miss this shot and trouble looms to try and get par. “The par 5 14th hole at Lake Breeze is one of my favorites,” said club member Dave Pohlman. “With a good tee shot you can reach the green in two, but there are enough undulations on the green to make putting a challenge. I like the way the hole sets up visually, trouble both left and right, but the fairway is wide enough that you should be able to hit it,” explained Pohlman. “Being a dogleg left, you can shave yardage by keeping down the left side of the fairway, but that brings a bad sight line to the green and brings trees and

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Weymont run Country Club sand traps into play. It’s a fun hole with some risk and reward opportunities.” Doc’s favorites here come back-to-back, #11 and #12. The drive over water on 11 and approach shot over the same on 12 provide the challenge. WinCHeSter HiLL GoLf CourSe 18 Holes/ Clubhouse 5310 Highway 110, Larsen, (920) 836-2476 his 18-hole course features 4,447 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 64. Although not long, it does provide

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a good deal of shot making to score well, and it’s an enjoyable round of golf, as well as a great place to work on your iron play. Signature Hole: According to owner Dean Hinske, #18 probably says the most about the course. At 350-yards, with a narrow, tree-lined, uphill fairway, this slight dogleg offers many challenges. This raised green, par four plays beyond its length. Number 18 may be Winchester’s signature hole, but the hole that really explains what this course is all about is the par 4 #8. It is 214 yards uphill that plays like 250 yards. The hole is ranked by the USGA as a par 3. Hinske has it on the scorecard as a par 4. The small, German army helmet shaped green makes par a real challenge. Not convinced? Consider this. There has never been a hole-in-one carded at #8. Yeah. You can consider that a challenge. Doc’s favorite hole here is #6 just because it’s long and straight and offers a break from the trees and a chance to grip it and rip it. Weymont Run Country Club 9 Holes / Pro Shop / Driving Range / Clubhouse N1061 County Trunk U, Weyauwega, (920) 867-3412 his beautiful 9-hole golf course sprawls over 84 acres with a par of 36. At 3,229 yards with a slope rating of 70.6, Weymont Run offers an enjoyable round of golf. The clubhouse includes a full liquor bar where pizzas, sandwiches and snacks are available daily.

Signature Hole: The par 5 #6, a long straight up hill hole with trees on both sides and water on the left with a sloping green, makes for a challenging par. Josh Oehlke has been playing Weymont since he was 5 years old, so it shouldn’t be any surprise he holds the course record with a round of 30. His favorite hole is the par 5, 499- yard #9. Big hitters are going to be tempted to cut the corner on the dogleg to the right, but clearing the trees is only half the challenge. There is sand in the landing area, but if you avoid it, you likely will have 150 to 200 yards left to the elevated green and a shot at an eagle.

Six-year club member, Marlin Schuster, likes Grand View because it’s a very playable course for the average player and is always well kept with nice greens. His favorite hole is the treelined par four #7. With trees on both sides, keeping it straight is the key. Doc’s favorite hole is the opening one, a short “drive-able” par 4 that puts your first shot in front of all the eyes in the clubhouse. It’s usually an easy par to open, if you don’t try to drive the green. Better to set up a good second shot at the green. Cedar Springs Golf Course 9 Holes / Pro Shop / Driving Range / Restaurant E7005 Cedar Springs Rd. Manawa, (920) 596-2905 his full-length 9-hole golf course rambles through rolling hills and mature trees. It offers a good mix of shot making and risk reward opportunities, and its restaurant is known for its Friday fish fry.

Signature Hole: #2. After giving the Bucky Badger carving on the tee box a rub on the head for luck, it’s a challenge to hit a big drive through a narrow opening in the trees on this 385yard par 4 dogleg right. A downhill lie and false front to the green make the approach shot a challenge. Golfer Brian Steffens said, “The people at Cedar Springs are why I keep coming back.” His favorite hole is #9. A great finishing hole, the 399-yard, tree-lined, dogleg left is a tough birdie. Doc’s favorite hole is #7, a 504-yard par 5, dogleg left, with a well-protected green. Water and woods come in to play on this hole.

Eagle Creek Golf Club 18 Holes/ Pro Shop / Driving Range/ 2-hole Practice Facility / Clubhouse N3594 Market Rd. Hortonville, (920) 757-1000 agle Creek offers a true championship caliber course from its five sets of tee boxes. It features 7,180 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 74.9 and it has a slope rating of 135 on bent grass. Designed by Robert M. Lohmann of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, you are sure to enjoy the challenge, layout and beauty of the course.

Signature Hole: When asked, Grand View Golf Course board member Bill Wesley thought about the par 3 #4, with an elevated tee that plays over a small pond. It is 183 yards to a green guarded by a large sand trap across the front.

Signature Hole: Number 12, the long, twisting par 5 that demands an accurate tee shot, controlled second shot and shot makers touch on the approach to the well-protected green. Into the wind, it’s a monster at 545 yards from the black tees and 513 yards from the blues. Local golfer Don Duncan said, “I cannot think continued»

Grand View Golf Club 9 Holes / Clubhouse, 333 North Oak St., Hortonville, (920) 779-6421 his course features 2,849 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35. Well kept and fun to play, the course rating is 35.4 and it has a slope rating of 120 on bent grass. Designed by Kurt Bigger, the golf course opened in 1966.

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Winchester hill golf course of another course in the area that requires the use of so many different clubs.” And using “every club in the bag” is not an exaggeration. Because of the undulation of the greens and fairways, it can be a new experience every time you play it. The practice facilities, including two practice holes, are first rate. Doc’s favorite hole is #8, the long par 5 that is an accomplishment to birdie and a tough par. Par 3’s #5 and #16 are also great holes. Shamrock heightS golf courSe 18 holes / Pro Shop / Driving range / restaurant N5525 old hwy 45 North, New london, (920) 982-9993 hamrock Heights offers a rich history and a professional atmosphere, making it the perfect place for any golfer. The Sealgaire 9, Irish for sportsman, borders the New

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London Fish and Game Farm. This nine has a great mix of traditional and links style holes. The Caire’al 9 holes, Irish for quarry, are the signature of this facility. They are built out of an old stone quarry, which offers beautiful elevation changes around some great natural terrain. Signature hole: #6. It’s a tough 380-yard par 4, dogleg left, with a pond to “navigate” and plenty of trouble off the elevated tee. New London resident Moochie Barrington’s favorite hole is the old #9 finishing hole, now #18. The not-so- gently sloped green is what makes it so memorable. One hundredfoot pines and an elevation change add to the challenge. Doc’s favorite hole is #1 because of the great view from the tee box and chance to “wail” right from the get go. The entire round is pleasurable and several other holes to look forward to are #4, #5, #10 and #17.

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s y

cheese! ch squeak

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Zittau family business thrives on history and good taste By SHaRON VERBETEN  The original building: Union Star as it looked in 1904. Henry Metzig and his daughter, Edna, around 1961, working on cheese curd production.  Edna Lehman wrapping Swiss.  Eugene Lehman trims a block of cheese prior to cutting. Jerry Winters, assistant cheesemaker salts the curds. (Photographs 3, 4 and 5 are from 1980 Towne and Country Shopper News.)

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ecades ago, Henry Metzig, the former owner of Union Star Cheese in Zittau, would skim the leftover curds from his vat of cheese and hand them out as free samples. “My dad used to tell customers they were the waste,” said Metzig’s daughter, Edna Lehman, 93. “My dad was very generous with his samples. That’s how curds really got started.” Somewhere along the line, however, those tantalizingly squeaky cheese curds became so popular that today—almost 100 years later—they are the small shop’s best seller. Zittau—five miles southeast of Fremont on Hwy. II—may have an unusual name and a somewhat off-the-beaten path location. But none of that stops cheeseheads, both tourists and locals, from venturing to the Wolf River Country institution known best, perhaps, for its painted wooden sign that heralds OPEN or SHUT. That simple sign, which many visitors find so clever, has a rather modest story actually. Current owner Dave Metzig, Edna’s second cousin, said casually, “I only had so much room on the sign.”

The Center of the Community

Union Star Cheese traces its humble beginnings to 1904—when 13 farmers pooled their money, forming a “union” of sorts. They had hoped that by founding their own cheese factory they would be paid more for their milk. But after only a few years, the w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

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farmers got out of the cheese business— selling Union Star to Edna’s father, Henry, in 1911. To close the deal, Henry had to make a major commitment—agree to work on Sunday. Since the co-op store had always been closed on Sunday, the local farmers’ wives had been left to deal with that day’s milk production themselves. This was no small task, Dave and Edna said, because Sundays were focused on preparing the

family dinner and going to church. In the end, Henry agreed it was better for one cheesemaker to go to Hell than all the farmers’ wives. Union Star was much more than just a family business for the Metzig family. “The cheese factory was the center of the community,” said Dave. “The farms were big back then, [and Union Star] got milk from neighboring farms.” At one time, Edna recalled there were

about 30 to 40 local farmers contributing milk via horse and buggy. Today, Union Star picks up fresh milk daily from three farmers in Wolf River Country. Henry Metzig brought a lot of time, love and technology to Union Star. He purchased an eight-horse power boiler, cream separator and agitator—all before electricity came to the area in 1925. He added the latest technology at the time—a Babcock tester to test the butterfat content

 The can trucks served a dual purpose. Drivers would pick up milk cans from the farmers, but the trucks also had a whey tank inside. The black hose drained whey into storage barrels, which was used by farmers to feed pigs.  The Union Star Cheese Factory in 1924 , when the business won first prize for Best Appearance in the Wisconsin Cheesemaker’s Association’s annual competition. The award was part of an initiative by the industry to improve its image to the public.

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p h o t o g r a p h s t h i s pa g e b y s h a r o n v e r b e t e n

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 of the milk. Farmers were paid by the hundred pounds of milk, but the price varied along with butterfat content. The Metzigs’ cheese factory was well underway—with housing quarters upstairs—by the 1940s, when Edna and her husband, Eugene Lehman, purchased the business. “At the beginning of World War II, the cheesemakers were deferred [from the draft],” said Dave. The focus was on keeping the homefront strong. But the ensuing years were challenging, Edna recalled, especially since Eugene was shipped overseas to serve in World War II. He served for two years before w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

  A worker hand cuts samples of cheese at the Union Star Cheese factory in Zittau.  Muenster anyone?  Dave Metzig and Edna Lehman stand outside the familiar OPEN and SHUT sign at Union Star Cheese in Zittau.

returning home. “We always had our duties,” said Edna, still spry in her 90s. In the 1940s, Edna would be a jack of all trades at the shop—inspecting and packaging cheese and giving tours, among other tasks. She was one of the first women licensed as a cheesemaker to work in a factory. And she was well known for taking her knowledge on the road, visiting local schools—milk, rennet and coloring in tow—to demonstrate continued» S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

cheesemaking to the students. Business was good—after all, Union Star was located on what was once a main highway for people from Milwaukee and Chicago traveling up north. And the Metzig/Lehman clan had long figured out one way to differentiate their company from the scores of other cheese factories out there—sell retail. That was unusual because, according to the Union Star Cheese Web site, “Cheesemakers back then were not known for dealing well with customers.” The retail storefront offered more opportunity to reach and meet the customers. “Part of it is to survive, you have to diversify,” said Dave. Packaging cheese in one-pound blocks made it easy for customers to pick up just what they needed. In the 1940s, Edna recalled, a pound of cheese sold for around 15 to 20 cents. Wisconsin isn’t known as the Dairy State for nothing. And at one time, Edna estimated there were about 2,000 small cheese factories in Wisconsin—with about 25 in Winnebago County alone. Today, Union Star is the only one left in the county. “On one hand,” joked Dave, “we must be doing something right…or they all figured out something easier to do.”

A New Generation

Dave Metzig, a former accountant, had always wanted to run his own business, so he bought out the Lehmans in 1980. “It’s kind of satisfying having a product…[that] people appreciate.” Times change and technology advances, but Union Star—which employs eight full-time and eight parttime staff—still ascribes to its “precise European nature” of keeping the place clean and doing it right. The milk is still pasteurized, the cheese is still handmade (beginning at 4:30 a.m.!)—and the curds still squeak when made fresh four mornings a week. And, yes, samples are still available—although these days, Union Star has gone beyond Edna pours off whey. 1980 from Towne and Country Shopper News.

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sharon verbeten

Owner Dave Metzig and former owner Edna Lehman in the Union Star Cheese factory in Zittau.

the typical cheddars and muensters. Today, cheddar is flavored with wasabi, garlic, caraway seeds and even blueberries. And muenster varieties include black pepper, black olive, dill, hickory nut and habanero (that’s hot!). “The whole cheese business knows it has to come up with different things,” said w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

Dave, who mentioned the shop is working on several new offerings, including feta cheese and a washed rind cheese. The shop has not been without challenges, of course. The Hwy. 110 (now Hwy. II) reconstruction around the early 2000s diverted the main artery, so Zittau was bypassed. But while Dave said business dropped a little, devoted cheeseheads still find their way to the unincorporated burg. “You have to

survive,” he said. And survive they do, in that same historic building Henry Metzig came to know and love some 99 years ago. Edna beamed with pride. “He’d be very happy to know it’s still going.” For more information, visit www. unionstarcheese.com. The company also operates Willow Creek Cheese outside Omro. S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

High Tech Hide and Seek B y

R i c k

c o H l e R

Geocaching embraces 21st-century treasure hunting

“G

eocaching is a 21st century, high-tech version of hide and seek where you use the billion dollar military satellites circling the earth to find Tupperware hidden in the woods.” That’s how Bradley Brogley, a physical education teacher in Black Creek, describes his passion. Geocaching uses the Global Positioning System (GPS), developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. For years, the GPS was strictly for military use and the signals were scrambled, limiting civilian accuracy to about 100 meters. In 2000, President Clinton announced that the scrambling would stop, allowing the general public to receive signals accurate to about 10 meters.

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The GPS unit points in the direction of the hidden cache.

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It didn’t take long for the fun to begin. The first “stash” was hidden by David Ulmer in Oregon three days later. He hid a bucket of trinkets in the woods outside Portland, Ore. and announced its location in a posting on the USENET newsgroup Web site. The name was soon changed from “stash” to “cache” because of the drug connotations of the word “stash.” That first “stash” is still there, marked by a plaque. That first cache was found within a day. In the next several weeks, others were hidden from California to Illinois, and the game spread to Australia within a month. According to Web site geocaching.gpsgames.org/history, as of September, 2009, there were more than 800,000 caches hidden in the U.S. and more than a million worldwide. “Geocaching merges the technical world of computers with getting out in nature,” said Tim Ewing, director and naturalist at the Navarino Nature Center in Shawano County. “Someone puts out an object in an area that interests them, which attracts the cache hunter, and takes them to a spot that they perhaps have never been. Kids like this because many of the caches hold things like Happy Meal toys, key rings and thinks like that.” Navarino has eight permanent caches on its site. Here’s where a bit of etiquette comes in. The general rule of thumb is, “If you take an item, leave an item, and write them in the log book.” It is also assumed people will leave an item equal to, or greater than the one taken. Navarion also hosts an event held each fall, when more caches are hidden for a family day of cache hunting. Geocaching begins with a handheld GPS unit and a computer. The geocacher logs on to www.geocaching. com, the overall granddaddy of geocaching sites. While some

of the information is available to anyone, members can access more sophisticated data. Membership is free and can be accomplished online. A location or a ZIP code is entered, and all of the sites and their GPS coordinates pop up. For example, enter the Shawano ZIP code and 376 caches appear on the screen. The coordinates can the loaded directly on the GPS through the computer connection, or logged in manually. The site also provides some basic information, such as the terrain and the difficulty of finding the cache. “There are some that I have had to climb trees to get to them,” Brogley said. Now you’re ready to go geocaching! The traditional cache consists of a container and logbook. It may be a plastic box or bowl, ammo box or similar item. According to geocaching.com there are several categories of caches: »The Multi Cache involves two or more locations, the final location being a physical container. »Mystery or Puzzle Caches can involve complicated puzzles the finder must first need to solve to determine the coordinates. »The Letterbox Hybrid is another form of treasure hunting using clues instead of coordinates. »An Event Cache designates a time and location to meet and discuss geocaching. After the event, the caches are archived. »A Virtual Cache exists in the form of a location. Depending on the cache hider, a virtual cache could be the answer to a question, an interesting spot, etc. The reward is the location itself. »Web Cam Caches use existing Web cameras that monitor various areas. The idea is to put yourself in front of the camera to log your visit. There’s also a cache called continued»

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❸  Navarino Nature Center Director and naturalist Tim Ewing shows how to load the GPS unit.  Ewing shows the cache.  Cache hidden in the crook of a tree at the Navarino Nature Center. continued»

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a Travelbug. “The person who hides it includes a destination where they want it to go,” Brogley explained. “Let’s say someone wants it to go to Colorado. So the next time I’d say, go to Platteville, I could hide it there.” Eventually the travelbug hitchhikes to its destination. Brogley was planning a spring break trip to Florida and planned to plant a travel bug then see how long it takes to get back to Wisconsin. Geocaching has its set of ethics rules for the field. They include: »Respect private property and be environmentally conscious when searching for, or hiding, caches. »Trade up or replace cache items (called swag) with something of equal value. »Cache in, trash out. Don’t litter and be sure to pick up trash found during the hunt. »Never log a find unless you actually find the cache. At Navarino, Ewing loads the coordinates of a cache into the GPS. We follow the unit as it points in the direction of the cache and keeps us posted on how far it is to its location. We hike through the woods for about a quarter mile and across a boardwalk, which keeps our feet out of the bog. Just after the trail starts to head uphill, the GPS unit says it is close at hand. There, nestled in the crotch of a tree is a small pile of bark. Hidden beneath it is the cache. Ewing then replaces the cache and adds to its mystery a bit by piling on some dead leaves over the bark. The geocacher would now record the find in his logbook. Brogley has 91 finds to his credit. “When I reach 100, I’m going to hide a cache,” he said. Virtually all of the caches are on public land, and permission is nearly always required from whatever agency

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is in charge of the land to place a cache. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Web site (www. dnr.wi.gov) covers the rules of cache placement. If the cache is to be placed on DNR-managed land, a person must fill out a notification form on the DNR Web site. There are also rules regarding what can and cannot be included in a cache. Prohibited items include: »Food of any kind (sealed beverages are permitted, but are not advisable) and must not be placed until the step is completed. »Pocket knives or weapons of any kind. »Illegal items such as drugs. »Material restricted from minors, such as tobacco, adult publications, alcohol, etc. Other cautions include not placing a cache in an area that could cause geocachers to cross dangerous or private land. Caches should not be placed within 150 feet of railroad tracks, since the right-of-way is private land. And caches should never be buried. At High Cliff State Park on the shores of Lake Winnebago, where there are about 20 caches hidden, Linda Gueleg, visitor services director, said when cachers come to the park, they are given a map of the sites. While reminding cache placers that they must fill out the paperwork, she said there have been relatively problems. Cache hunters usually respect the land, she said. “Only once someone tried to place a cache on the cliffs overlooking the lake, and we had that one removed because it was dangerous,” she said. Ranger Jay Vosters, who also carries the title of geocaching coordinator, agreed. “We don’t maintain the caches,” he said. “If they remove them, they are supposed to let us know, but sometimes they don’t. I enjoy being the

Black Creek School teacher Brad Brogley leads a group of students on a geocaching activity at Fallen Timbers Nature Center near Black Creek.

coordinator. It’s a fun part of my job.” Geocaching is a fun activity for families. It gets mom, dad and the kids out of the house and into nature. It is also a way to make new friends who enjoy similar activities. The Wisconsin Geocaching Association (WGA) boasts several hundred members statewide. According to its Web site, www. wi-geocaching.com, “Our purpose is to plan geocaching events that are open to everyone who wishes to participate. In turn, the events we plan are designed for meeting people, communication, education and having fun.” WGA is also working with the DNR to develop a statewide geocaching policy for Wisconsin state parks. The organization hopes the policy will become a model for all parks; state, county and municipal, throughout the state. Upcoming events include a Rock Island Getaway on June 17 and the West Bend Cache Ba$h on Aug. 14. Membership is free on the WGA’s Web site. As the popularity of geocaching grows, enthusiasts like Brogley hope more kids will get involved and get outside. Already he has taken his students to nearby nature areas for geocaching adventures and hopes that before long it, and activities like it, will become part of curriculums in many Wisconsin schools.

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Choosing a GPS Unit According to www.geocaching. com, GPS units suitable for geocaching range from $100 to nearly $500.

Things to look for: »Basemap: Driving directions to the area near a cache can be useful, so it should be considered.

»Channels: Most current units

have 12 parallel channels, which help acquire GPS satellite signals faster and more accurately. Interface jack: Quickly loads maps and waypoints onto your device.

»memory: This is used to load

detailed topographic maps and other information into your device.

»roCker keypad or touCh sCreen: Eases use in the field Screen size: Use a device with the largest screen that can be realistically carried.

»Waterproof: Get a device

with a water resistant rating of IPX7, which means the case can be immersed in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Plastic bags and boxes are also recommended.

(920) 446.3414 4 Miles Southwest of Fremont 9686 County Road HH

Things to take on your geocaching adventure: »Compass »Pen/pencil »Rain gear »Flashlight »Bug spray »Cell phone and/or digital camera »Cache repair items and replacement logs »Trade items Don’t forget personal safety; beware of poison ivy, ticks and other outdoor hazards. And be sure to mark your car or starting point.

Charming, Smoke Free Dining Room! Home of the Incredible Metz Chimichanga!

Tue: 4pm-Close / Wed-Sun 11am-Close / Closed Monday Grill Open Daily Until 10pm / Specials Served Until 9pm

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• Taco Tuesday • Friday Fish Fry • Saturday Night Prime Rib

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161

White Lake

MANAWA

110

Milwaukee

54 ROYALTON

Madison

SUGAR BUSH

BEAR CREEK 76

NEW LONDON

NORTHPORT

Appleton

Green Bay

WOLF RIVER COUNTRY

156

wolf river country

NICHOLS

NAVARINO

STEPHENSVILLE

SHIOCTON

187

LEEMAN

187

156

BORTH

TUSTIN

METZ

Lake Poygan

FREMONT

Partridge Lake

WEYAUWEGA

110 0

ZITTAU

116 6

MEDINA

45 BUTTE DES MORTS

HORTONVILLE

WINCHESTER LARSEN

DALE

WINNECONNE

Lake Winneconne

READFIELD

Visit www.wolfrivercountry.com for detailed maps to all the wildlife areas in Wolf River Country.

OVeR 30,000 aCRes Of PubliC lands.

POY SIPPI

WEST BLOOMFIELD

r e s ta u r a n t

spotliGHts

ROAD TRIP! B Y G o r D o n pa G e l

dessert bar and more. Formerly a breakfast diner, The Red Rooster Café is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. It has a comfortable, casual character that wears the look of the building, built in 1902.

Viking suppeR Club Your Hosts Sandy Haberman and chef Shonna Martin WHere? 6661 Brecklin Loop Road, Larsen, (920) 836-3220 (Just off County Road II, between Winchester and Fremont) www.vikingsupperclub.com

Homemade pies are sold by the slice or whole. Pies can be special ordered for pick-up 24 hours in advance. Homemade pies are sold by the slice or whole. Pies can be special ordered for pick-up 24 hours in advance.

Red RoosteR Café Your Host Meredith Weiland WHere? W9716 State Road 96, Dale, (920) 779-4664 www.redroostercafeofdale.com / www.facebook.com/redroostercafe WHY Go? A Sunday brunch buffet for $9.95, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. When Weiland first took over the restaurant in February, 2009, she initially discontinued the Sunday brunch, which had been established by the previous owner. At first, her loyal clientele allowed her some slack as a new owner trying to get a handle on things. “But eventually, they began letting me know… nicely,” said Weiland, “that the

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buffet needed to come back.” The bigger and better buffet now includes salad bar, pancakes, French toast, the “house” scrambled eggs, tenderloin tips, broasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables,

WHY Go? When it comes to fish fries, I have my own method of determining how good the fish is. My own recipe makes for great, day-two finger food right out of the refrigerator. So restaurant leftovers have to pass the refrigerator test to get on my list of “can’t miss” fish fries. The Viking’s fried haddock in Panko breading is crispy and light and held up well to an overnight stay in the fridge. Don’t limit your visits to Fridays, though. Monday, starting at 5 p.m., $5 will get you all the soft- or hard-shell tacos you can eat. More importantly, $3 will get you a Corona or margarita. The prime rib is popular on Saturday, and Sunday is all-you-can-eat Henny Penny Chicken, with soup and salad bar for $9.95. What put them over the top in my book are the hand-pressed, half-pound burgers, which they are not afraid to cook to order, including medium rare.

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All of the Viking’s Kaiser rolls and hoagie buns are homemade and baked on the premises by chef Shonna Martin.

HaHn-a-LuLa ResoRt (with supper club/ballroom/ campgrounds) Your Hosts Cliff and Judy Hahn WHere? 8861 S. Wolf River Road, Fremont, (920) 446-3245 www.hahnalula.com It’s a Fremont address, but it’s not really Fremont. The more time you spend in Wolf River Country, the more you get used to that idea. They are really located in Orihula. To find Hahn-a-Lula in Orihula, take County Road H south out of Fremont until you hit River Trail Drive. Take a left and follow River Trail to Wolf River Road, where Hahn-a Lula Resort is located on the Wolf River. Or visit by boat; there is plenty of docking available. continued»

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S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

ROAD TRIP! continued

If you find Cliff Hahn behind the bar, ask him how he used to get along with his neighbors.

Why Go? The buffets and Cliff’s wild stories from the “good old days.” Judy and Cliff have been at least partial owners in the ballroom since 1951. They have owned it outright since 1966. The stories are numerous, and Cliff’s artful narration of past events makes it worthwhile to arrive early and spend time at the bar. Then there’s the food. It’s good! I mean, they’ve been doing this for 45 years…in Orihula. Think about it. The signature buffet is Land and Sea on Friday night from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $13. Four shrimp dishes include Creole, bisque, fresh peeland-eat and deep-fried, and baked haddock and Cajun catfish are just some of the highlights.

Nightly Features Prime Rib & BBQ Ribs Serving Hours:

Monday: Closed Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30pm to 9:30pm Friday: 4:30pm to 10:00pm Saturday: 4:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday 4:00pm to 9:30pm

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Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime rib buffet is $17.50, and Sunday, you can do a buffet marathon. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., there is a traditional breakfast spread along with plenty of fresh fruit for only $7.50. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the dinner buffet. For $8.50, there is a choice of six different entrees, dessert, soup and salad bar. Happy eating!

Hungry? Starved for fresh, creative solutions to your communication needs? Call us. We deliver. a2zdesign.com 920.364.0991

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S u m m e r 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Wolf River country |

The

Root Beer Stand W

Wolf River Country is home to several nostalgic stands

By GORDOn PAGEL

ho doesn’t love root beer? But does anyone really know the origins of the bittersweet beverage? There is considerable debate over the origin of root beer, and the possibilities date back to Shakespeare’s 16th century. American colonists drank a version of root beer as an herbal tea, and there are historical documents indicating 18th-century farmers brewed an alcoholic version. In 1876, when Charles Hires introduced a concoction of 25 herbs, berries and roots at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, he was credited with offering the first commercial root beer recipe to the public. Others would follow, as the flavorful mix of herbs allowed many variations. Most notable would be Roy Allen. In 1919, during a parade honoring World War I veterans in Lodi, Calif., he set up a roadside drink stand offering his own creamy version of root beer, and the root beer stand was born. Three years later, in 1922, Allen partnered with Frank Wright and A&W Root Beer was branded. After World War II, more then 450 A&W franchises were opened. With the popularity of the automobile, the drive-in root beer stand flourished through the 1950s. I still have vivid memories of going to the drive-in for a burger and root beer as a kid. The stand I remember had yellow lights, to discourage the bugs, I guess. But the junebugs seemed to favor them anyway. Eventually, as the restaurant business tried to keep pace with changing times and increasingly frenetic lifestyles, the drive-up window replaced the drive-in. But as usual, everything comes full circle. Most recently, A&W has tried to recapture the nostalgia of that era, building new stores modeled after the traditional drive-in concept. But to me, other than the name, it’s just not the same. Fortunately, Wolf River Country offers several “real” root beer stands that have been doing it the traditional way from the beginning. Welcome to charlie’s! harlie’s Drive-In, also known as Charlie’s Place, in Hortonville has been doing it for 45 years. It would be wrong to refer to Charlie’s as a retro drive-in experience. continued»

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S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

It’s authentic. The root beer recipe, the carhops, the menu, and the Mann family that has owned it for those 45 years guarantee it. Co-owners Carl Mann and his sister, Rachael Mann-Rosenfeldt, took over the business from their father, Charlie, in 2005. Many customers say the burgers and the barbeque keep them coming back again and again. Mann-Rosenfeldt makes 50 to 75 pounds of hand-patted burgers daily and two 30-pound batches a week of an old family recipe for Sloppy Joe-style barbeque. Every Tuesday night is classic car night—any vehicle with collector plates gets a free mug of root beer with a sandwich purchase. Charlie’s is so authentic, that even “Elvis” has been known to make an appearance, typically on classic car night! Charlie’s Drive-In, 806 W. Main St., Hortonville, 920-779-6753, www.charliesdrivein.com A Visit to the Well he Well Drive-In first opened in Winneconne as the Bell Drive-In in 1954. The following year, Otto C. Welle purchased the business and changed the name to Well Drive-In. When current owners Jeff and Judy Weber bought the drive-in 10 summers ago, they didn’t hesitate to keep the name. Like the bridge in town, the Well Drive-In is an iconic symbol of life in Winneconne. “For some people, I can tell you what they will order as they walk up to the window,” said Jeff Weber, “and with caller ID, we will often know what the order will be.” There are no carhops here, but you won’t feel cheated from the drive-in experience. It’s all here from the service to the root beer to Potsie’s Flame Burger, smothered in chipotle mayo. They will even treat “man’s best friend” right, too— last summer, Weber said they sold more than 600 doggie sundaes.

Well Drive-In, 705 E. Main St., Winneconne, 920-582-7292 76 | Wolf River country • S u m m e r

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Drive in to WeyauWega n Weyauwega, Lisa and Adam Alix are into their third summer as owners of the Wega Drive-In. The building was originally an A&W, and though the carport is still intact, they don’t use carhops. Everything else is pretty traditional. The root beer recipe has been handed down through the various owners. Root beer floats and black cows are still popular, and the menu includes everything from perch or walleye plates to pizzaburgers.

Wega Drive-In, 417 W. Main St., Weyauwega, 920-867-4929 All three drive-ins are open seven days a week, and all sell root beer by the gallon or half-gallon. You can call ahead for pick-up, but I recommend eating there for the full nostalgic experience. Bottoms up! w w w.w o l f r i v e r c o u n t r y.c o m

Charlie’s Drive-In (call ahead for pick-up) 920-779-6753

806 W. Main St • Hortonville w w w. c h a rl iesdrivein.com

Every Tuesday is classic car night!

•Real carhops • 50’s Music • Root Beer • Hand-Pattied Burgers ...and lots more!

The “King” Returns August 10-12th S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

Shadows in the mist. Colic Slough

Tom Austreng

THE GALLERY

G o r d o n Pa g e l

THE GALLERY

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ron brooks

G o r d o n Pa g e l

Clockwise: Bathing beauties!—canal, Winneconne. Mud wrestling!—Bamboo Bend, Shiocton. Don’t mess with me—Wolf River Marsh. A good day fishing— Fisherman’s Park, Fremont.

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

THE GALLERY

G o r d o n P a ge l

Dick Ellis

Clockwise: Shades of red—Lake Butte des Morts, Smooth as silk—Wolf River, Rippin’ the last set—Wolf River, The dark shadow—Wolf River,

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Ron Brooks

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S u m m e r 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Wolf River country |

The Fastest Act On Water! Who are those skiers on the cover? From left to right on the bottom row: Matt Hanser, Troy Oleson, and Ben Romenesko. Top row: Jared Gruetzmacher and Kelly Mader. Speed is what makes the 3-2 pyramid difficult and potentially dangerous to perform. “Before we step out of our skis, we are traveling over 50 miles per hour,” explained Troy Oleson. Keep in mind that the people on the top tier are not only traveling 50 miles per hour, but they are five feet in the air, too! If the trick fails, they incur the greatest risk of injury. “Last year one of our second tier skiers cracked their rib during practice,” said Oleson. “It is definitely the fastest act in our entire show.” You can catch the Webfooters’ show twice a week, Wednesday and Sunday, at 6 P.M. Their show site is located in downtown Fremont, and the show is free. For more information, visit: www.webfooters.org

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Cabin Rentals • Boats • Motors • Bait & Tackle • Fishing Licenses

IN ORIHULA

On the mighty

WOLF RIVER

345 0-446-3

! NEWYear-Round Rental on the Water

Central Air• Full Kitchen•Sleeps 8

$100 minimum per day (up to 4) • $25/person per day (over 4)

Fishermen & Boater Friendly !

By Elizabeth Aaron

the recipe Box OK,

so I’m from mIlwaukee.

But we had an old wooden boat with a Cuddy Cabin and a big honkin’ Mercury motor, and every summer we’d put it on a trailer and head north to the Wolf River for whole weekends at a time. “We” included my father and brother, who patiently taught me how to swim and water ski, to identify constellations and poison ivy, to whistle and to fish. We’d spend whole days fishing, the guys casting off the side of the boat while I “still” fished with a cane pole, out of their way. At night, tucked up under the bow in sleeping bags, we’d fall asleep to the rocking of soft waves lapping the sides of the boat... We never cooked what we caught, however. It was the 1950s, and those were the days when the fish traveled home in coolers, packed in ice, and the women in the house cooked them later. Aha! I was a girl, so I not only got to catch the fish as a tomboy, but I also had the fun of cooking them with the women. My mother taught me how to cook. No matter what we brought home—the catch of the day—it seemed Mom had a recipe for it. My fish back then was catfish (no doubt due to the Parmesan cheese coating!). I still love catfish, but with a little Cajun zing these days—both recipes follow. There’s one more recipe here, for a dessert. If you continue reading this column, you’ll find that I have a bit of a sweet tooth. This recipe uses apples, and I’d like to think you’ll try to find a variety called Wolf River. Yum, Wolf River cats and Apple Upside-Down Cake. Happy Cooking, Elizabeth

h Parmesan catfIs flour 1/2 cup all-purpose esan 1/4 cup grated Parm se ee ch 3 Tbsp cornmeal 1 tsp paprika

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1 egg white 1/4 cup milk 4 catfish fillets

l, an cheese, cornmea mbine flour, Parmes at be h, dis w allo In a shallow dish, co sh t aside. In another se er; pp pe re. d xtu an mi lt sa ur paprika, xture, then in flo Dip fillets in milk mi lk. mi k d tic an ns ite no h wh g wit eg h coated by-2-inch baking dis Place in a 13-by-9degrees for 35 to 40 0 35 at , red ve co , un cooking spray. Bake k. for a h flakes easily wit minutes or until fish

caJun BakeD catfIs h 2 Tbsp canola (or corn) oil 2 tsp garlic salt 2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp hot pepper sau ce 1/4 tsp black pepper

4 (8-oz.) catfish fillets In a small bowl, combin e seasoning and brush over both sides of fish. Place fish in 13by-9-by-2-inch baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 450 deg rees for 10 to 13 minutes or until fish flak es easily with a fork.

wn cake aPPle uPsIDe-Do salt 1/2 cup butter r 3/4 cup brown suga , peeled 3 cups apples sliced and cored 2 eggs

Elizabeth Aaron is married, has two grown kids and two grandkids. She lives and works in Appleton. She loves her dog and sewing and knitting, and, of course, cooking. Please share your recipes (original only, not taken from a published cookbook) and related stories and we may use them in an upcoming issue. Email to recipes@wolfrivercountry.com or mail to WRC Recipes, 422 E. Frances St. Appleton, WI 54911.

1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp

1 tsp vanilla 1 cup milk 1 cup flour 1 tsp baking powder

ice cream Whipped topping or kle nch cake pan. Sprin d pour into 9-by-12-i an r tte bu p cu 1/2 Melt tter. brown sugar over bu tter mixture. Beat the ples. Layer over bu ap e slic d in an re co Peel, nilla. Add milk; beat in sugar, salt and va at Be ffy. flu til un gs eg wder. flour and baking po in a 350 degree and bake 45 minutes x mi ple ap er ov ur Po cream. ipped cream or ice oven. Serve with wh 1 cup white sugar

S u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

Di re c to ry » Wolf River Outfitters Resort

Resort and Lodging Guide Fremont Area

» Blue Top Resort & Campground 1460 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-3343 www.bluetopresort.com » Cabin on the Creek 7854 County Road H, 920-268-2818 www.cabinonthecreekwi.com » Cabin on the Wolf N212 County Road H, 920-446-3803 www.cabinonthewolf.com » Chico’s Landing (Waterfront Cabin Rentals) 8794 Wolf River Road, 920-446-3345 » Gala Resort & Campground 9692 County Road H, 920-446-3222 www.galaresort.com » Hahn-A-Lula Resort & Campground 8861 S. Wolf River Rd., 920-446-3245 www.hahnalula.com » Harrison’s Cozy Red Cottages 500 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-3677 » Historic Hotel Fremont 218 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-2402 www.thehotelfremont.com » Larry & Jan’s Resort 209 Doty St., 920-446-3161 www.fremont-wi.com » Pine Grove Resort E7426 County Road H, 920-446-3295 www.pinegrovefremont.com » Red Banks Motel E7331 Red Banks Road, County H North, 920-446-2911 » Red Banks Resort & Campground E7321 Red Banks Road, 920-446-2933 www.redbanks.net » Wolf Ridge Cottages 522 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-3167 www.wolfridgecottages.com

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& Campground, 306 North St. 920-446-3116, www.wolfriverguide.com » Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort, E6506 Hwy. 110, 920-446-3420 www.fremontjellystone.com

New London Area » America’s Best Value Inn

1409 N. Shawano St., 920-982-5820 www.bvinewlondon.com » AmericInn Lodge & Suites 1404 N. Shawano St., 920-982-5700 www.americinn-newlondon.com » Antiques With Inn 1776 Division St., 920-982-4366 www.antiqueswithinn.com » The Freeman House Bed and Breakfast, 312 W. Cook St., 920-585-8535, www.thefreemanhouse.net » Huckleberry Acres Campground E9005 Huckleberry Road, 920-982-4628, www.hikercentral.com/ campgrounds/113487.html » Rainbow Motel, 1140 N. Shawano St., 920-982-4550 www.rainbowmotelnl.com » Wolf River Trips and Campground E8041 County Trunk X, 920-982-2458 www.wolfrivertrips.com » Wolf River Getaway (vacation home rentals), E9256 County Road X 920-982-0707 www.wolfrivergetaway.com

Shiocton Area

» River’s Edge Camping Resort W7615 County Road F, 715-725-3344 » Rustic Wolf Inn, N5619 River St., 920-986-1300, www.rusticwolfinn.com

Winneconne Area » Lang’s Landing, 111 N. First St.,

920-582-7501, www.langslanding.com » Wolf River House Resorts 17 N. First Ave., 920-582-4555 www.wolfriverresorts.com » Country Inn Supper Club & Motel 7273 Cty. Rd. II, Larsen. 920-836-3153 www.countryinnontheratriver.com Boat and Motor Rentals

Restaurant Guide Fremont/ Weyauwega Area » Anglers Bait Shop, Bar & Grill

N700 County Road H, 920-446-2442

» Channel Cats

204 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-2200 www.channelcatsbar.com » CD’s Westside Bar & Restaurant E6659 County Road U, 920-446-3353 » Drew’s Tavern, 7703 County Road II 920-836-2297 » Gala Resort & Campground 9692 County Road H, 920-446-3222 www.galaresort.com » Gills Landing Saloon and Tube Trips E 6870 County Road F, Weyauwega 920-867-2844, www.gillslanding.com » Guth’s Bar and Grill E7294 Guth Road, Weyauwega 920-867-2877, www.guthsresort.com » Hahn-A-Lula Resort & Campground 8861 S. Wolf River Road 920-446-3245 www.hahnalula.com » Here N There 9686 County Road HH, 920-446-3414 » Historic Hotel Fremont 218 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-2402 www.thehotelfremont.com

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» Hitching Post Bar & Grill E5646 Lakeshore Dr., Weyauwega 920-867-3666 » Hunters Sports Bar E9102 State Road 96, 920-667-4980 » Knot Anchor Inn W230 County Road H, 920-446-2414 » Log Cabin Tavern 223 Wolf River Dr., 920-446-3606 » Ted’s Grandview Supper Club 710 Wolf River Dr., 800-924-0197 www.tedsgrandview.com » The Coffee Klatsch, 125 E. Main St., Weyauwega, 920-867-2980 www.coffeeklatsch.com » Triangle Farm Campground, 9312 Riverview Drive, 920-446-3707 » Wally’s Still, 9693 US 96 920-779-4010 » Wega Drive-In, 417 W. Main St., Weyauwega, 920-867-4929 » Weyauwega Dairy Bar 316 N. Mill St., Weyauwega, 920-867-4500 » Wolf River Diner, 306 W. Main St., 920-446-3153 www.wolfriverdiner.com

New London Area » Beacon Street Deli

422 E. Beacon Ave., 920-982-6446

» Bean City Bar and Grill

N2505 Bean City Rd., 920-982-1500 » Bree’s Inn, 323 S. Pearl St. 920-982-7511 » Bucky’s Restaurant 815 N. Shawano St., 20-982-3840 » Bulldog’s Bar & Grill 2104 N. Shawano Rd., 920-982-4469

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S p u m m e r 2010 • Wolf River country |

Dire c to ry » Red Rooster Café W9718 U.S. Hwy. 96, Dale, 920-779-4664 » Shamrock Heights Golf and Supper Club N5525 Old Highway 45, 920-982-9993 www.newlondongolf.com » Sugar Bush Inn W10875 Cty. Tk. WW, 715-752-3129 www.sugarbushinn.net » The Waters Supper Club & Lounge 815 W. Wolf River Ave., 920-982-7960 » VFW Club House (Friday Fish Fry) 305 E. Beckert Rd., 920-982-9971

Hortonville Area » Charlie’s Drive-In

» C & R Waterfront Bar & Grill

»Hong Kong Buffet

408 W. North Water St. 920-982-6550 » Club 123, 309 S. Pearl St. 920-982-7411 » Copper Shot 318 W. North Water St. 920-982-4064 » Corner Café, 203 N. Shawano St. 920-982-3979 » Crystal Falls, 1500 Handschke Dr. 920-982-0627 » Easy Street Bar 519 W. North Water St., 920-982-7999 » Familiar Grounds 206 N. Pearl St., 920-982-4332 www.familiargrounds.net » The Firehouse Restaurant 300 S. Pearl St., 920-982-7909 » Half-Nelson’s 1601 N. Shawano Rd. 920-982-1600 www.halfnelsons.com » Highway Hop Diner 1821 Mill St., 920-982-3463

310 Wolf River Plaza, 920-982-9899 » John’s Bar, 211 S. Pearl St. 920-982-9985 » Jolly Roger’s Pizzeria 220 W. North Water St., 920-982-2333 » Log Cabin E8557 Highway 54, 920-982-6499 » Main Street Pub 306 W. North Water St., 920-982-3255 » Marly’s Restaurant 520 S. Pearl St., 920-982-5390 » New London Family Diner 400 N. Shawano St., 920-982-9060 » New London Lanes 106 E. Wolf River Ave., 920-982-4982 » Pantry Restaurant 317 S. Pearl St., 920-982-6439 » Phil’s Still (Club 54) E8565 Highway 54, 920-982-0721 » Pine Tree Supper Club E8095 Highway 54, 920-982-5738 » Pup’s Irish Pub E8558 Highway 54, 920-982-3891

90 | Wolf River country • S u m m e r

2010

806 W. Main St., 920-779-6753 www.chariesdrivein.com » Damn Yankees Watering Hole County Road M, North of Hortonville, 920-779-4902

Shiocton Area » Hometown Café

W7711 State Hwy. 54, 920-986-9100

» Ken’s Riverside (Friday Fish Fry) N5645 Mill St., 920-986-3316

» Mike & Sonja’s Bar

N5578 Highway 76, 920-986-3881

» Muddy Waters N5629 Highway 76, 920-986-3390

» River Rail, N5547 Highway 76, 920-986-3222 www.foodspot.com/riverrail/ » Wilson’s T & T Lanes W7611 Highway 54, 920-986-9131

Winneconne Area » Arrowhead Restaurant

108 W. Main St., 920-582-4258

» Biggar’s Supper Club

204 W. Main St., 920-582-4422 www.winneconne.org/biggars

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» Butte des Morts Supper Club 5756 Main St., Butte des Morts 920-582-0665 » Century Elm Supper Club 8300 City Rd. T, Larsen, 920-836-2022 » Country Inn Supper Club & Motel 7273 Cty. Rd. II, Larsen 920-836-3153 www.countryinnontheratriver.com » Fin ‘n’ Feather, 22 W. Main St. 920-582-4305 www.fin-n-feathershowboats.com » Haase’s Supper Club 9497 County Trunk D, 920-685-2721 » Jackie’s Parkside Restaurant 630 West Main Street, 920-582-7755 » Jake’s Pizza 115 W. Main St., 920-582-9222 » Kelly’s Kitchen, 5298 Cty. Rd. II, Winchester. 920-836-3341 » Other Place 21 W. Main St., 920-582-7775 » Tilly’s Too Tavern 5071 Washington St., Butte des Morts, 920-582-7626 » Tiny’s Sports Bar 111W. Main St., 920-582-9962 » Viking Super Club 6661 Brecklin Loop, Larsen 920-836-3220 » Village Pub Bar & Grill 235 W. Main St., 920-582-0155 » Woodeye’s Bar & Grill 700 W. Main St., 920-582-4877 www.woodeyesbarandgrill.com » Well Drive-In 705 E. Main St., 920-582-7292 » White House Inn, 5776 Main St., Butte des Morts, 920-582-7211

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S p u m m e r 2010 • Wolf RiveR countRy |

G o r d o n Pa g e l

Part i n g s h ot

A man’s raft is his castle Today, few would argue that a man’s home is his refuge, his castle, his domain, his “man cave,” so to speak. And there’s little doubt—to fishing fans and lovers of the great outdoors alike—that part of the appeal of raft fishing is the refuge it provides from the workaday world. This raft was photographed near New London, where the Wolf River runs along County Hwy X. Sitting silent and private, it proves a fine example of a man’s castle. In 1763, the first Earl of Chatham noted, “The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the crown. It may be frail—its roof may shake—the wind may blow through it—the storm may enter—the rain may enter—but the King of England cannot enter.” And ultimately, in the example of this humble raft, only two changes would be necessary in the quote above to make it timely today. Change “crown” to “state” and “King of England” to “DNR warden,” and one would swear the Earl of Chatham was a raft fisherman himself! – Sharon Verbeten

92 | Wol f R i v er cou n t ry • S u m m e r

2010

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A passion for watersports

A REAL PRO SHOP

Wakeboards, waterskis, kneeboards, wetsuits, swimwear, and much more! Plus a knowledgeable staff with a passion for watersports.

WAKEBOARD WEDNESDAYS

We provide the boat, the board and the pro instructor. Your first time is free! Reservations are recommended

www.fortfremontmarine.com | 920.446.3220 2 miles south of Fremont on County. Rd. II, right on the Wolf River

Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary and 14 Summers Supporting the Webfooters www.baumgarttireandwheel.com

Free

Learn-to-Ski Clinics â&#x20AC;˘ June 13 and August 1 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Plank Stadium in Downtown Fremont.

Believe

Originally known as, “The Wolf River Bath Tub Society,” the Webfooters have been performing since 1976. FREE SHOWS - WED & SUN @ 6PM Downtown Fremont - June thru August

www.webfooters.org

PhotogrAPhs by robert bell

SUMMER 2010

Healing Habitats

The Push to Restore Beauty, Life on Butte des Morts

‘Curds’ the Word! A Cheesy Detour to Zittau’s ‘Star’ Attraction

PLUS:

Geocaching: High-Tech Treasure Hunts Guide to restaurants and lodging

920.446.3838 Visit www.travelfremont.com

gion e R e h t le u R s Watersport

Hotel Fremont