The Cabin

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Pepin County; https://bit.ly/WCAPepinCounty

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/44xg56h

Campfire Conversation: 

Join us as we uncover Wisconsin's top 10 waterfalls, starting with Pewit’s Nest in Baraboo. We explore the natural gorge carved by Skillet Creek, reminiscent of Parfrey’s Glen, and delve into its rich history as a former site of a waterwheel and mill. Next, we venture to Devil’s Punchbowl in Menomonie, marveling at its ancient rock formations and cascading waterfall. Finally, we briefly touch on Bond Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, known for its stunning beauty and accessible viewing locations. With each destination, they paint a vivid picture of Wisconsin's diverse and enchanting landscapes, inviting listeners to embark on their own waterfall adventures.

Inside Sponsors:

Visit Lake Geneva: https://bit.ly/3wHvilf

Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Green Lake County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/green-lake-county/  

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://www.jollygoodsoda.com/    

Campfire Conversation: 

The Cabin helps you start your business this week as Ana, Eric, and Jake hook up with Ken Little, the State Director of Wisconsin's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC is a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education. Almost all new net jobs in the country comes from small and emerging businesses, so this is a crucial area for our economy and the well-bring of Wisconsinites. After all, if you have a dream and a goal, we would like to connect you with resources to help you achieve that goal! Ken Little recently joined as State Director and our conversation with him covers many of the resources the SBDC offers: the education, consulting services, and connection to mentors, loans, and more. Some businesses have special initiatives, including farms, restaurants, and some businesses looking to export, and places like the SBDC can get you the needed information to assist you. The SBDC is one of five programs at the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, with locations on many University of Wisconsin college campuses including Madison, Milwaukee, Parkside, Platteville, Waukesha, Whitewater, Oshkosh, La Crosse, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Eau Claire, River Falls, and Superior. They're part of the SBDC's national network.

Small Business Development Center site: https://wisconsinsbdc.org/   

Connect with your nearest SDBC here: https://wisconsinsbdc.org/centers/

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County: https://www.enjoyjeffersoncounty.com/

Benvenuto's: https://www.benvenutos.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Dunn County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/dunn-county/ 

The Cabin is also presented by Group Health Trust: https://www.wcaght.org/   

Campfire Conversation: 

What's nice around the campfire in the morning? Coffee! But it's also nice in a good coffee place and in this episode we cover quite a few across southeastern Wisconsin, with more sections of the state coming in future episodes. Ana, Eric, and Jake take you to Milwaukee, Janesville, Lake Geneva, Madison, and points in between to help you find new spots to get your coffee fix but also take in the experience a good coffee hotspot provides. Many of these places also offer great food options, teas, and live entertainment at select times. Some brew coffee AND beer, we showcase a few. Two of the places, one in Hartland and one in Lake Geneva, hire people with special needs and help them learn work skills and interact with others to help them move forward. We also feature some coffee hotspots that offer beautiful patios or decks for enjoying the weather, and the best of the best for enjoying your coffee inside while hiding from the weather - which happens often in Wisconsin. Whether you prefer iced brew or hot coffee so strong it shows up on a drug test, grab your cup and fill up on this coffee shop discussion on The Cabin!

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County: https://www.visitwashingtoncounty.com/

ReMax: https://homes.discoverwisconsin.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Forest County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/forest-county/ 

The Cabin is also presented by Group Health Trust: https://www.wcaght.org/   

Campfire Conversation: 

Apurba Banerjee joins Ana, Eric, and Jake in The Cabin this week to explore Wisconsin top to bottom for some special places to bring your dog and have fun - or a good night's sleep. Or both! Topics include select state parks and specialized dog parks, including the one in Jefferson County Ana has profiled on Discover Wisconsin. Numerous state parks offer recreation for people and their pets, Apurba and Ana detail ones like Harrington Beach State Park, Big Bay State Park, Lake Kegonsa State Park, Pattison State Park, Rock Island State Park, and Pike Lake Beach, a section of the Kettle Moraine Unit within Wisconsin's State Forest system near Hartford in Washington County. Even traversing the water can be fun with your dog, as ferries like the Madeline Island Ferry connecting Bayfield with La Pointe on Madeline Island is free for your dog! Eric, Jake, and Apurba note some breweries, bars, and other public spaces where people gather and your well-behaved dog is welcome. They include Broken Bat Brewing in Milwaukee, Elmaro Winery near Trempealeau, Ope! Brewery in West Allis, and smaller places like Slaty Paws, Riley's Social House, Hounds 'n Taps, and many more. Finally, we focus on some places to stay with your dog that are truly special, including the Delta Lodge in Iron River for a true get-away-from-it-all getaway, the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau if you prefer something in the center of the city, Black's Cliff Resort in Hazelhurst for a great North Woods feel, and Justin Trails B&B Resort near Sparta which includes farmhouse lodging and primitive camping. If you want to be near popular vacation destinations, Door County Cottages in Egg Harbor is one great example of where to bring your four-legged friend; if Wisconsin Dells is on your radar, check out beautiful Bakers Sunset Bay Resort with a wide variety of accommodations, all embracing your dog with great activity options. These are just some examples across the state, but it's a great guide to get you started as you plan road trips with your furry friend this summer. It's all on this week's episode of The Cabin!

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Gaming 

Best Western https://www.bestwesternwisconsin.com/ 

Praise In the Pines https://praiseinthepines.org/ 

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Milwaukee County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/milwaukee-county/ 

The Cabin is also presented by Group Health Trust: https://www.wcaght.org/   

Campfire Conversation: 

Milwaukee uses its area code - 414 - to celebrate "414 Day" on April 14th. Across the city and county on that day, a variety of celebrations are held at a variety of bars, restaurants, museums... even the county park system and Summerfest get into it with pricing specials. In this episode, Ana, Eric, and Jake cover some historic notes about Milwaukee, beginning with its origins as a Native American settlement where wild rice grew and tribes gathered to trade as three rivers came together at Lake Michigan. Early incarnations of the city and county as named by European settlers included "Milwacky" and "Milwaukie" before the current spelling was settled upon - including through an interesting story involving one of the city's newspapers. The city was originally three warring settlements that realized they were chasing settlers away with their infighting and united as the City of Milwaukee in 1846. This port city began to grow steadily, drawing in a variety of newcomers who were especially influential initially from England and the eastern United States; immigration grew heavy in the late 19th century from Germany, Poland, Ireland, and Italy. The growth helped create a City Hall that was the Tallest Inhabited Building in the World when it opened; this is the time when Milwaukee emerged as a major center for beer brewing and industrial machinery, along with inventiveness. The typewriter and keyboard, the outboard motor, cordless grinders, the answering machine, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a wide variety of tools and technology in both industry and medicine were created in today's 414, aka Milwaukee County. These led to many large industries that employed an often heavily unionized workforce well into the 20th century. But like other cities and industrial centers that flourished well past the post-World War II period, the 1960s and 1970s brought industrial decline as manufacturers began moving many operations either south within the country or to other countries. We discuss some of the economic and social issues that proved challenging in Milwaukee, as it did across the country, as the city began to grapple with more poverty and the issues around shifting to a more service-oriented economy. The city's sports history also comes into play, especially with baseball and basketball, and its penchant for celebration continues to be evident in many festivals, from ethnic heritage to one of the world's largest music festivals in Summerfest. Today, Milwaukee still grapples with issues but thrives in many ways, with a healthy downtown, numerous universities, and a variety of neighborhoods and districts offering wide options for living, working, and playing. The city's culinary scene is currently featured on Bravo's "Top Chef" along with the rest of Wisconsin, and the Republican National Convention will be hosted this summer. Milwaukee's history has a lot of fascinating twists and turns, join us for a "414 Day" look and salute on The Cabin!  

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County: https://www.visitwashingtoncounty.com/

ReMax Realty: https://homes.discoverwisconsin.com/ 

Josh Ostermann joins Ana, Eric, and Jake in The Cabin to discuss Wisconsin's most famous foods, offer up some trivia and background about them, and often some good suggestions on where to enjoy them. Ana takes kringle - which of course means a trip to Racine - as well as frozen custard, a Wisconsin-y twist on ice cream. Eric handles Wisconsin's love and knowledge of beer, diving into some of the wider varieties available across the state's 200+ craft breweries; he then serves up the history of the butter burger, with its origins in Milwaukee and Culver's Restaurants making it a national thing (from Wisconsin with love, of course.) Jake discusses the "miracle" of cheese - and it really kind of is a miracle, isn't it?? He also shares its origins, how Wisconsin became the leading state for cheese, and even some new ones developed in Wisconsin - such as Colby. Cranberries are next - serving as Wisconsin's #1 fruit crop and the official state fruit - bringing a brilliant red to the bogs in late summer and fall. Josh then shares the goods on Wisconsin's iconic fish fry and its history before shifting from surf to turf and talking Wisconsin brats. Wisconsin - and particularly Sheboygan - is the "Bratwurst capital" and he discusses everything from their history to key ways to cook 'em up right. They also share some events focused around these foods that are fun to attend. Dive in and snack on this episode of The Cabin!

Inside Sponsors:

VISIT Lake Geneva: https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/ 

Wisconsin Counties Association: https://www.wicounties.org/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Clark County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/clark-county/

The Cabin is also presented by Group Health Trust: www.wcaght.org  

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric, Ana, and Jake discuss a variety of places to head in Wisconsin if you're in the mood for a solo trip, and they each go solo in doing so. Ana begins with retreats - always a good choice for a solo venture - including the Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, The Christine Center in Clark County, Holy Hill in Washington County, and Holy Wisdom near Middleton. Spas and other nice resorts for good getaways begin to factor in as well, including Blue Harbor in Sheboygan, the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva as well as The Abbey nearby in Fontana, The Edgewater in Madison, and the Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells. They're a little different from the retreats; as Anna noted, "Don't go to Holy Hill if you're wanting a massage or a pedicure." With camping, Ana notes Peaceful Pines and the Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River; camping in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, where some serious space between you and other people can be found; plus several other lodges. State Recreation Areas and Parks offer great places for solo stays and experiences, too, and that gets covered from several perspectives. A nice solo road trip can help you unwind while you explore, we note good examples in Wisconsin's five designated scenic byways, including the Great River Road, the Lower Wisconsin River Road, the Door County Caoastal Byway, and the Lake Superior Scenic Byway. They offer beauty on the road and great stops along the way, whether or not you have others along for the ride. Rustic Roads offer even more peace and quiet. Jake offers some events to explore on your own, from home shows to the upcoming Midwest Gaming Classic in Milwaukee or the Dairy State Beer & Cheese Festival coming up in Kenosha. There's even a cool tech conference coming up, and he fills you in. Check out this episode, and get ready to enjoy a trip and reconnect with yourself!

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County: https://www.enjoyjeffersoncounty.com/

Best Western Hotels: https://bit.ly/3zCCK3f   

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Barron County; https://www.wicounties.org/counties/barron-county/

The Cabin is also presented by Group Health Trust: www.wcaght.org

Campfire Conversation: 

Hop aboard as we explore the fascinating world of train travel in Wisconsin! Did you know that Wisconsin boasts over 3,980 railroad public crossings and 3,300 miles of active train tracks? Join us as we uncover the state's rich railroad heritage, from the historic East Troy Electric Railroad, preserving the last seven miles of interurban rail, to the Tiffany Bottoms Train in Durand, offering an open-car ride through the picturesque Tiffany Wildlife Area, perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts. Experience the charm of yesteryears with a journey on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum's vintage railcars through the scenic Baraboo Hills, or delve into the Northwoods' history aboard the Lumberjack Steam Train in Laona. Discover more hidden gems like the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, and the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Spooner, offering unique experiences for every rail enthusiast. Join us as we traverse through Wisconsin's captivating landscapes and storied past on unforgettable train rides!

Hop Aboard a Train Here: 

East Troy Electric Railroad, East Troy: https://www.easttroyrr.org/

Tiffany Bottoms Train, Durand: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000001rV0BAAU

Mid-Continent Railway Museum, North Freedom: https://www.midcontinent.org/

Lumberjack Steam Train, Laona: https://www.lumberjacksteamtrain.com/

National Railroad Museum, Green Bay: https://nationalrrmuseum.org/

Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, Osceola: https://transportationmuseum.org/

Empire Builder, St. Croix River Valley: https://transportationmuseum.org/

Riverside & Great Northern Railroad, Wisconsin Dells: https://www.dellstrain.com/

Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, Spooner: https://spoonertrainride.com/

Inside Sponsors:

Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

WCA: https://www.wicounties.org/