Christine May 29th, 2007
It’s more than just theater, it is a full afternoon of fun (at least on Sunday it is the afternoon, other days it would be an evening of fun). We attended an afternoon performance of Beau Jest this past Sunday. We were treated to a fabulous Sunday brunch, a stroll in the gardens and great comedy.
We arrived at about 12:30 for a buffet lunch and were seated immediately. Everyone who helped us were incredibly curteous and professional. We had a leisurely lunch and tried just about everything! Greta reccomends the barbecue beef (sliced) and Carl will tell you all about the Blintzes (he got the last 2- what a happy kid!) I say try it all- each entree was wonderful.
Between lunch and the performance we had time to stroll through the gardens. They have a nice variety of plants and an awesome view of the Chippewa River Valley. Benches are placed all along the path for resting and enjoying the view. The pond is filled with frogs to be at this time.
The show itself was a hoot! The theater is very intimate and you can easily see the actors’ expressions. The kids and I laughed through each scene. There were several serious moments that were well done as well- even I could feel the tension. Definately a comedy for the whole family!
The Fanny Hill is located in Eau Claire. If you are looking for a great weekend getaway, extend your visit with a stay at the Victorian Inn that is part same building. The rooms are elegant and more than a bit romantic!
Check out there schedule at www.fannyhill.com.
Michael May 24th, 2007
Gas prices in the state are at an all time high. But it seems that the high prices are not stopping people from traveling this Memorial Day weekend. The Capital Times reports:
More Americans are expected to travel by car this year to start the summer than last year, according to AAA Wisconsin’s latest survey, even though gasoline prices are almost 10 percent higher this year than a year ago.
“Anybody planning to be on the road this weekend will have plenty of company,” said AAA Wisconsin spokeswoman Pam Moen.
One thing the high prices are doing is making travelers think of vacation spots closer to home. According to The Sheboygan Press:
For the first time in 16 years, Sandra Martin of Sheboygan may be forced to give up a summer vacation at Wisconsin Dells and instead go on a camping trip at a state park much closer to home.
The reason: Record-high gasoline prices that creep higher almost daily.
“We normally have (only) so much (money) and gas would cut into that,” said Martin, 43. “We’re better off staying around here, I think, this year.”
Here at BackroadWisconsin, we are taking the same approach. There are many great places to visit and things to see within the state. Many of them you can even get to and back on a tank of gas. Summer is beginning, so keep reading as we highlight the best places to see on a budget.
Michael May 16th, 2007
Would you believe the last time the beer tax in Wisconsin was increased it was the year 1969. The tax per barrel was increased from $1.00 to $2.00. Now, some legislators want to increase it again from $2.00 to $10.00 per barrel. This works out to an increase from 3.6cents to 18 cents per six pack. The current tax brings in about 1.6 million dollars a year. The new tax could bring in $40 to $48 million. The money would be earmarked for alchohol abuse, addiction and education. Rep. Terese Berceau and Sen. Fred Risser, both Democrats from Madison are supporting the increased beer tax.
From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
According to the national Beer Institute, Wisconsin ranked sixth in beer consumption in 2006, with an average of 38.2 gallons consumed for every person 21 and older.
Wisconsin’s $2-a-barrel tax is third lowest in the nation, behind the 59-cent levy in Wyoming and the $1.86 tax in Missouri.
In Madison, officials lined up to distance themselves from the beer proposal.
“I want the residents of (my) Senate district to know that I will fight this proposal with all my power,” state Sen. Roger Breske (D-Eland), the former president of the Tavern League of Wisconsin, said in a statement.
It sounds like this proposal probably won’t make it very far.
Christine May 13th, 2007
There are festivals all across Wisconsin that celebrate food. Choose your food and there is almost certainly a celebration for it in Wisconsin:
Brats- Brat Fest in Madison is billed as the world’s largest. But somehow it seems to make the most sense in Sheboygan at Bratwurst Day .
Cheese- The mother of all cheese festivals is Green County Cheese Days in Monroe. But there are a whole host of others across the state!
Chocolate- Where else but in Burlington- Chocolate City, USA- would you find Chocolate Fest?
Beer- They appear across the state, but here are a couple: Great Northern Beer Festival and Rock The Brewery.
Wine- There are great wineries all over Wisconsin, and some cool festib\vals to go with them: In Cedarburg for example is the Wine and Harvest Festival.
The list goes on. But the one that has made international headlines most recently is in the small town of Elderon here in Central Wisconsin. You can read more about The Testicle Festival even in the Austrailian press and in the International Herald Tribune.It looks like about 300 folks attended. Mark it on you calendar for next May.
Michael May 11th, 2007
Grocery Getter,
originally uploaded by backroadwisconsin.
Lube up the chain and find a rubber band for your pants. Bike to Work week is coming next week. The Bike Federation of Wisconsin has activities planned in Madison and Milwaukee, but you don’t need to live in those communities to bike to work. If your daily commute is under 5 miles, then biking to work makes sense. It won’t take you much longer than driving and you get a bit of excercise and fresh air to boot. Plus think about all the gas you’ll save by not driving your car. Even if you can’t bike all week, at least try to bike on Friday the 18th for national Bike to Work day.
Christine May 10th, 2007
The schedule for Men’s Badger Hockey has been released! There are many highlights to the season as noted in the article on the Badger website:
“Highlighting the slate are up to 13 contests against 2006 NCAA Tournament teams, as well as a game against 2007 NCAA Champion Michigan State and a pair of home games against 2007 NCAA Frozen Four-partipant North Dakota. Other notable contests include four games against 2007 MacNaughton Cup champion Minnesota and the 19th annual Badger Hockey Showdown. The University of Wisconsin is also schedule to play host to the 2007 NCAA Midwest Regional at the Kohl Center on March 29-30.”
Michael May 8th, 2007
In what is becoming a trend statewide, the Marathon County Parks department is taking the proactive steps to ban all outside firewood in their county parks. This ban includes the Eau Pleine County Park and the Dells of the Eau Claire County Park. This is to combat the Emerald Ash Borer and prevent other invasive species from getting a toehold into the parks. More details after the jump.
Continue Reading »
Christine May 7th, 2007
Although the Film Incentives law is not set to go into effect until 2008, Film Wisconsin has found a home at Visit Milwaukee. They have also received some funding from Visit Milwaukee to help attract more production crews to Milwaukee, such as the recent Hyundai commercial that used the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Check out this article at The Business Journal.
The Kids May 6th, 2007
The Wisconsin Woodchucks rock! When the play ball it makes you want to scream even if you are cheering for the other team because the game is so good. When you go to there games you end up spending more money then you wanted, to on hats, shirts and food,because the food is sooooooooooooo good and you have to buy a hot dog, some cotton candy and then the ice cream. Then you just become a fan after 1 game and then two years later you’ll find yourself yelling “go for the home run!”.
The Chucks rate a high 5 out 0f 5 stars on the Greta Greatness Scale.
A note from Mom and Dad: Woodchuck games, and any game in the Northwoods League, are really reasonable. The gate admission is family friendly and leaves you plenty to treat everyone to a dog, soda (or beer!) and even some snacks along the way. The Woodchucks rate high on the Mom and Dad scale as well! By the way- for those who have followed the Brewers for awhile- the new Woodchucks Field Manager is none other than Jim Gantner! Welcome to Wausau Gumby!
Click herefor all the information you need for the fast approaching (games start May 31st!) Northwoods League Season.
Christine May 5th, 2007
There is something soothing , and more than a bit magical, about sitting on a dock staring out onto a mirror-like lake and hearing the call of the loon. The loons song is eerie, yet beautiful. Along with smelling the roses, everyone ought to stop and hear the loon.
In celebration of the loon there is Loon Appreciation Week, May 6 - 12. There is a nice article all about this week of “loony” celebration in the Ironwood Daily Globe.