BackroadWisconsin

Christine August 1st, 2007

Wausau is home to an amazing pipe organ with 2500+ pipes- and no electricity (except to th ebellows- which can be pumped by footpower as well). Located in Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church on 6th Street, it has been featured on National Public Radio, as well as several recordings. It is truley a hidden gem of Wausau… but here is your chance to hear a concert… I even have a sneak peek of the program celebrating the music of Buxtehude.

An Organ Recital Celebrating the 300^th Anniversary Of the Life and Work of Dieterich Buxtehude (1636-1707)

Dr. John A. Behnke, organist Concordia University Wisconsin

Praeludium in C Major, BuxWV 137

Two Chorale Preludes            

Let All Together Praise Our God, BuxWV 202  (Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich)

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright, BuxWV 223  (Wie schön leuchtet)                                

Two variations Passacaglia in D Minor, BuxWV 161

Chorale Variations on Our Father, Who from Heaven Above (Vater unser in Himmelreich)   BuxWV 219 

Three VariationsPraeludium in g, BuxWV 149

Canzonetta, BuxWV 167Fuga, BuxWV 174

Two Chorale Preludes

To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray (Nun bitten wir)  BuxWV 208

A Mighty Fortress is our God (Ein feste Burg), BuxWV 184

Ciaccona in e, BuxWV160

Praeludium in D Major, BuxWV 139

Here are a few more details that I received:

John Behnke, Professor of Music at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin, will be presenting a Dieterich Buxtehude organ recital at Salem Ev. Lutheran Church, 2822 N. 6th Street, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403 at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday 22 September 2007.  A copy of the program is enclosed.  Dr. Behnke is planning to comment on some Buxtehude-related slides as part of the program.

The church’s Jaeckel organ is well suited for the performance of Buxtehude’s music.  Its North German construction style is based on the work of Buxtehude’s contemporary, famed organbuilder Arp Schnitger.

There is no admission charge, however a free-will offering will be received to help offest the cost of the recital.  It is being sponsored by the Wisconsin River Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

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Christine July 27th, 2007

One of our favorite places to visit is Circus World down in Baraboo. It is an amazing step into the culture and history of the circus. Unfortunately in the past several years they have encounted financial difficulties. However , according to a recent article they are poised to reverse this trend. Of course, you can help by taking the time to run off and join the circus…and bring all your friends and neighbors. From the amazing restored circus wagons, to the history of sideshows and high flying trapeze artists, to the elephants and camels- it is an AMAZING visit into a fabulous world. The calliope is calling you…

See the article from Fox News here.

• history , Culture
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Michael July 26th, 2007

The Wisconsin Historical Society has beeen besieged with budget cuts every year for the last several years. As the well of State funding dries up, the Society has had to keep its operation running by seeking out other funding sources. One such source is the sale of historical image copies. The Historical Society has over three million images in its archives and has generated about $100,000 last year in the sales of copies of those images. About 30,000 of these images are searchable on the Historical Society Website and roughly another 6,000 will be added this year. Check out the collection and maybe you’ll find something to decorate your empty walls with.

Originally reported by the Janesville Gazette.

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The Kids July 25th, 2007

It is Awesome! I want to go again. The rides are cool. My favorite is the Mad Mouse (roller coaster), then the Test Pilot and then the Wild and Wooly Tobbogan (corkscrew). The train ride is really long and awesome. You get to ride way out into an area with llamas, emus, zebras and lots of sheep.

GO THERE TODAY! www.littleamerricka.com

Check out more pictures of our day at this classic amusement park!

This is most definately 5 out of 5 Lava Lamps on The Carl Groovy Scale.

A Note from Mom: This is located just outside of Sun Prairie and is a great value, especially when you buy a full day pass! You can even bring your own food. There are some fun classic rides like the Wild and Wooly Tobaggon, Parachutes, The Mad Mouse Coaster, Tilt-a-Whirl and Scrambler. They are working on the wooden roller coaster. It was a real trip back into my childhood and it was great fun to share it with the kids.

• Wisconsin- A Kid's Eye View , Travel
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Michael July 21st, 2007

Military Road in rural Oneida county has a rich history that dates back to the war of 1812. Originally carved out of a forest of virgin timber, the road connected Fort Howard in Green Bay to Fort Wilkins on Lake Superior. Since that time, the road was reconstructed and paved, but is now due for a facelift.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation released a reconstruction plan that would widen the meandaring road and eliminate much of its character and history. But local outcry has saved the road and the DOT issued a revised plan that all parties can agree to. More details can be found on the Rhinelander Daily News site.

Read about the history of Military roads on the Wisconsin Historical Society site.

• history , Travel
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Michael July 18th, 2007

Travelocity has updated their page of local secrets/great finds in Wisconsin. The gnome obviously knows, as each of the places listed our also on our A-list of great Wisconsin destinations. The rundown follows:

1. Bay Beach Amusement Park, Green Bay. Where else can you ride an amusement ride for 25 cents. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Green Bay, this park will please anyone.
2. Chocolate Fest, Burlington. Need I say anymore. If it involves chocolate, its got to be good.
3. Ella’s Deli, Madison. Let me warn you, this is not a place for people with trouble stayin on task. The restuarant is absolutely jam packed with kitsch, animated toys, and moving objects. The kids love it even though it causes sensory overload. The food is excellent too; serving up standard deli fare. Get the open face roast beef and an egg cream. Located on East Washington St, the giant carousel makes the place easy to spot.
4. Mustard Museum, Mount Horeb. A perrenial favorite with Greta, we’ve written about this place before. First, view the historical and geographical display of mustard bottles and then taste and purchase mustard.
5. American Players Theatre, Spring Green. This theater started out about 30 years ago performing summer stock Shakespeare. But they have expanded by offering a full slate of classical productions. Set in the hills of southwestern Wisconsin, the theatre boasts of a natural amphitheater in an fabulous setting.

Any of these destinations make great day trips or an overnight weekend jaunt. If you have a favorite destination, please share it with us in the comments section.

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The Kids June 18th, 2007

We were at the Renewable Energy Fair. There was all kinds of ways that people of all ages can save energy. There was a type of candy that is the seeds of E85. It tasts like bubble gum, but when you fuel with E85 instead of gas, a flex fuel vehicle driver can prevent 4 tons of lifecycle carbon dioxide emission from entering our atmoshere every year. CO2 is a primary pollutant associated with global warming says the American Lung Association of MN. But there was also homade soap that had  no animal fat in them so  that way we can also save the animals. You can’t forget solar panels,  they are the most known way to save energy.What solar panels do is use the sun as a natral way to fuel things. There were also these black tubes that you can let sit in the sun so that way there is anthor way that you can heat your water and save money by useing the sun. There are all kinds of different ways that you can save energy and money and you might even think about geting a car that runs on gas and electricity.  Maybe in the future they will perfect the car that can use solar panels or just the electric car.

On the Greta Greatness Scale the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair rated 4 1\2 out of 5

• Events , Wisconsin- A Kid's Eye View , Lifestyle
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Christine June 5th, 2007

Get ready for the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair coming up June 15 - 17 in Custer (just east of Stevens Point on Hwy 10). This is the largest event of its type and well worth the trip!

Their website describes the festival the best:

Since its inception in 1990, the Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair has has shown 190,000 fairgoers how to change the world while having fun. Each summer the Fair transforms rural Custer, Wisconsin into the global hot spot for renewable energy education. The Fair is the world’s largest renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living educational event of its kind. Please join us this year!

If you are looking for ideas on how to make your footprint on the earth smaller- this is the place to go. They have workshops galore, even the kids can get involved.  

See you there!

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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.

• Food and Drink , Culture , Lifestyle
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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.

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