The Cabin

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

The Cabin smells all smoky and sweet today because Dave Anderson - aka “Famous Dave” of BBQ chain fame - joins us for a fun and insightful conversation about food, creativity, perseverance, and entrepreneurship. Famous Dave’s BBQ started as essentially a tent; a barbecue stand where Dave Anderson learned to make remarkable sauces and grill meat in ways that caught people’s attention. So much so that he was able to open a regular restaurant, which he named Famous Dave’s, in his hometown of Hayward, Wisconsin in 1994. Today, Famous Dave's has around 180 locations across 33 U.S. states and international locations from Winnipeg to Dubai. How did he get there? What obstacles did he face? What powers him, and where does he see things going from here? We learn all about his background and get some BBQ tips too. A fun and saucy episode to enjoy today on The Cabin!

Check out Famous Dave's BBQ here: https://www.famousdaves.com/

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Gaming: https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Richland County; https://bit.ly/3va2f8F 

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric, Ana, and Jake look to the skies in this episode of The Cabin. They're joined by John and Rose Dorsey, married pilots who have flown professionally and now continue flying and providing lessons. We dive into the background of flying and becoming a pilot before describing flights over Wisconsin and the features at various airports around Wisconsin.

Inside Sponsors:

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

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Rusk County; https://bit.ly/3wKH2nY

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric, Ana, and Jake ruminate on the arrival of spring 

Inside Sponsors:

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

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Douglas County; https://bit.ly/3s3V29N

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome our resident food expert Josh Ostermann and increasingly legendary supper club book and film producer Ron Faiola into The Cabin for an update on Wisconsin Supper Clubs, coinciding with Ron’s new book, Wisconsin Supper Clubs 2nd Edition, Expanded and Updated. We revisit what the idea of a Wisconsin Supper Club is, and means, for its customers, owners, employees, and the state’s culture. We check out what’s happening with supper clubs, and how they have been undergoing somewhat of a resurgence the last decade or so - including how they weathered Covid and in some cases, expanded or adapted. Ron takes us through some of the newer supper clubs covered in his new book, some of the clubs he updated, and some of the trends he’s seen. Eric, Ana, and Josh discuss some of their favorite and notable supper clubs, some of their differences, and some of the unique twists you’ll find at some. Learn about even more supper clubs and get inspired with this episode of The Cabin!

Check out Ron Faiola’s books on Wisconsin Supper Clubs: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wisconsin+supper+clubs+ron+faiola&crid=3MX8F0Z28HUMO&sprefix=wisconsin+supper+clubs+ron+faiola%2Caps%2C132&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Link to Ron Faiola’s newest Wisconsin Supper Club book: https://a.co/d/0VXe2Tw

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Waupaca County: https://bit.ly/3P8wDdu  

The Cabin is also brought to you by Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX  

Campfire Conversation:

Ana, Eric, and Jake welcome Sam Warfel to The Cabin to explore the opportunities Wisconsinites have for observing and capturing the Aurora Borealis (aka "the Northern Lights"). Sam shares much of the science behind it, how solar flares and sunspot activity interact with the Earth's magnetosphere to create it, and how people can see it, enjoy it, and photograph it effectively - including with the differences a camera might show versus the naked eye. Sam discusses best practices for using your camera - including professional cameras with specialty lenses right down to what you can accomplish with the phone in your pocket - to capture the best views along with how you can overcome interferences to night sky views such as city lights, clouds, and bright objects in the sky that may overwhelm what you're targeting. They also discuss amazing sights in the night sky beyond the Northern Lights, ranging from nearby planets to distant galaxies. He also shares some of the best locations in Wisconsin for viewing the night sky - including passes you can get that allow you to stay in a park later or overnight, beyond the time when the park normally closes. If you like science, photography, and particularly the amazing views at night from our state with the Northern Lights and beyond, this is a "must listen" episode. 

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Nation: https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru

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

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Oconto County: https://bit.ly/3u5mi7G

The Cabin is also brought to you by Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, and Mardi Gras today - so it’s an excellent time to talk food, romance, and things to do with that special someone. This episode covers select restaurants perfect for a romantic meal; wineries to explore; plus opportunities for candlelight walks and hikes that get organized in parks and on trails across the state. How about a theater experience? From classic shows (e.g. Les Mis at The Overture in Madison) to dinner theater (e.g. The Fireside in Fort Atkinson) or magic shows in Lake Geneva and Wisconsin Dells, we got you. Cottages and cabins for getaways? Some special spots from Door County to Richland Center in the Driftless and along the Great River Road in Fountain City are just some of the features. Escape rooms are fun times for couples and larger groups, and you’ll find them in more and more places around Wisconsin, too. More specific itineraries and ideas are shared for Lake Geneva, Madison, and Milwaukee too, from breakfast spots to late-night eats, shows, and other fun activities. We go around the horn in this episode and prep you for this week of romance and creativity!

Inside Sponsors:

• VISIT Lake Geneva: https://bit.ly/3wHvilf

In this bonus episode, Ana and Eric greet you from West Bend with several friends: Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, West Bend Mayor Joel Ongert, and Kewaskum Village President Fuzz Martin. Between all five, the topics run the gamut to every corner of Washington County and expand on the recent Discover Wisconsin episode on Washington County, which was called "Love Your Neighbor." All corners of Washington County get some love from the standpoint of visitors, residents, and businesses. West Bend, the county seat, has a charming and vibrant downtown with Main Street freshly repaved, re-scaped, and ready for great shopping, dining, and entertainment with the Historic Bend Theater welcoming regional and national acts in its 1920s-era-but-updated venue. Across the Milwaukee River you can take in some amazing art at the MOWA - Museum of Wisconsin Art and places like The Volunteer Center and The Hub, its associated coffee shop, were showcased in the recent Discover Wisconsin episode. West Bend also has Riverside Brewing, historic buildings, the Eisenbahn Trail for biking and hiking, and Regner Park, which hosts everything from summer concerts to the beautiful holiday lights in winter. Kewaskum is a prime example of Washington County's beautiful villages, and Village Prez Fuzz Martin dives into activities to enjoy from hunting for antiques to hitting the slopes and Sunburst Ski Hill, which also boasts the largest tubing park in the world with nearly 50 lanes! Nearby in Slinger, Little Switzerland is another popular area for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Since Washington County straddles the Kettle Moraine region, the topography is beautiful for any activity, and places like the Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest next to Hartford are ideal for enjoying it to the fullest. You can stop at Aspen Sky Winery in Slinger after (or, heck, before) to imbibe if that would complement your day. 

Perched atop the highest point in southeastern Wisconsin, Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine draws visitors from around the world. Whether for religious pilgrimage, to marvel and its beautiful architecture, take in the views, or find treasures at the Holy Hill Art Fair, Holy Hill is an incredible place to visit. 

You can get beautiful views of Holy Hill from the golf course, too. Erin Hills is a nationally renown course in the Town of Erin; home to the 2017 U.S. Open, the course follows the natural landscape and offers views of Holy Hill. Kettle Hills is another highly-rated golf course on the other side of Holy Hill. Washington County Golf Course outside Hartford ranks among the top 50 municipal courses in the United States, while other options include Hon-E-Kor in Kewaskum, Scenic View in Slinger, and several in West Bend.

Hartford, on the western edge of Washington County, offers up its own fun downtown which includes the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, a car-themed wonderful ice cream shop called Scoop de Ville, The Mineshaft restaurant which served as Wisconsin's largest for a long time, plus tons of great shops of all kinds. The city's architecture features classic buildings, some crowned with pagodas. 

Germantown is the largest village in the county, literally across the street from Milwaukee on the southeast. The village has historic sites like Dheinsville and Freistadt that bring you back to 19th century settlements and some newer breweries and wineries. They include Old Germantown, a new brewery in a farmstead that serves up classic craft brews and wood-fired pizzas, 1840 Brewing, which was featured in the show, and Apple Works Winery, a winery that has grown out of an orchard at Behnke Estates. Germantown is a growing bedroom community but they still have plenty of farms, too. You can explore other farms nearby that offer family fun, including Basse's Taste of Country in Colgate and Peck & Bushel Fruit Company in Colgate.

This is why we say Washington County has surprises around every corner. Check out this bonus episode to discover more!

Find out more about Washington County and all of its sights (and surprises!) here:

Instagram: @visitwashingtoncounty.wi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Visit-Washington-County-Wisconsin-450932391586808

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/VisitWashCoWisc

https://visitwashingtoncounty.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Lafayette County: https://bit.ly/3OXhT0N

The Cabin is also brought to you by Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

Inside Sponsors:

• Jefferson County https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau
• Jolly Good https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4  

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Fond du Lac County: https://bit.ly/3PHGOqW  

The Cabin is also brought to you by Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

The Green Bay Packers are a very unique team. While they have more championships in their illustrious (well, for the most part) history and are one of the oldest teams in the National Football League, they are also owned by a community of shareholders in what is by far the smallest “major league” city and market in the United States. They have fans all over the country and, increasingly, the world. The NFL in general is making inroads in Europe and particularly Germany, where more fans are posting about their love of the game and the NFL teams they follow. Ana, Eric, and Jake were able to talk with Stephan Schliemann, a Packers fan who lives in Gütersloh, Germany. Mr. Schliemann discovered American football through highlights on German television and became more interested in the teams - and Green Bay in particular. Now he has a “Packers Cave” in his basement of his home with some very cool decor, including signed jerseys from players, green LED lighting, and a pool table, couches, and of course a big TV for game-watching. Friends who are also football fans come over to watch during the games, which in Germany take place in late evenings much of the time. We talk with him about what drew him to football and Green Bay in particular, how friends and neighbors are also getting into the game, and the connections he now has with the U.S. as a result. We also surmise how much fun it would be to have him come to see Lambeau Field in person! The season - other than for the Chiefs and 49ers - may be over, but the Packers spirit lives on in this fun football conversation that spans the continents.

See Stephan on Instagram @germanpackerscave, or link to https://www.instagram.com/germanpackerscave/

Inside Sponsors:

• Best Western: https://bit.ly/3zCCK3f
• WCA: https://www.wicounties.org/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Vernon County: https://bit.ly/3MlEDXW

The Cabin is also brought to you by Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

Eric, Ana, and Jake welcome Chelsey Knuth into The Cabin for a heady look at Wisconsin’s indoor museums, since it’s a good time of year to be indoors when doing casual things. Chelsey is known to over 50,000 IG followers as The Wisconsinista, and her extensive travels around the state give her a solid level of expertise and another perspective. All four Cabin dwellers dive in to some of their favorite museums to explore, including Chelsey with some “must see” museums like the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum, Discovery World (complete with Wisconsin’s largest aquarium), and the Harley-Davidson Museum for when you’re in Wisconsin’s largest city. For art, she recommends the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum in Wausau; the Wisconsin Museum of Quilt & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg; and, in a twist, the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah - for a more fragile yet just-as-stunning art. Chelsey also delved into children’s museums, with great ones in Milwaukee, La Crosse, Green Bay, Madison, Eau Claire and more. On a more somber yet very historical note, the Peshtigo Fire Museum is a great stop once it opens again in spring. Hall of Fame Museums cover the Green Bay Packers, snowmobiles, even bobbleheads. Historic homes and mansions across state to explore include the Pabst Mansion and Villa Terrace in Milwaukee; House on the Rock and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin home, both near Spring Green; the Paine Art Center in Oshkosh; the Fairlawn Mansion in Superior, and more. Ana delved into cultural museums, including the Menominee Tribe Cultural & Logging Museum; plus, Wisconsin’s own State Capitol is a museum in itself. Eric discussed the National Brewery Museum in Potosi, the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Green Bay’s Neville Public Museum and National Railroad Museum, the Copper Culture Museum in Oconto, and - while there’s an outdoor component too - the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward. Jake chimed in with the National Mustard Museum in Middleton and - perhaps most unique - Redner’s Rescued Cat Figurine Museum in Menomonee Falls. Listen to the episode and get the full skinny on all of these and more! 

See Chelsey on Instagram @thewisconsinista, or link to https://www.instagram.com/thewisconsinista/

Inside Sponsors:

• 1.) Ho-Chunk Nation: https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru
• 2.) Benvenutos: https://benvenutos.com