The Cabin

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

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome Ramsay Plautz from his own cabin near Merrill, Wisconsin to talk camping in Wisconsin. While the state offers many campgrounds and sites with plenty of amenities and access to nearby services, Wisconsin also offers vast woods and forest areas that can be miles and miles from anywhere – which means you must pack differently and plan for scenarios you may not otherwise encounter. Ramsay covers the 5 C’s of camping survival: Cutting, Cover, Cordage, Combustion, and Container. They involve everything from tools to shelter, and from a supply of wood and something to start a fire to ways to collect, carry, and store food and water. The benefits of charcoal – which extend greater than you may think – also gets discussed along with a series of fun activities to hone your camping skills. These include getting a book on plants you can eat in the wild so you can identify what’s edible (vs. dangerous!) around you, shaping your knife skills, and some great places to explore when you want to camp and truly be in the wild, living off the land. These skills can help you wherever you choose to camp, though, even if it’s in a tended campsite with plenty of amenities. Join us for this lively conversation that can help you fortify yourself and other for the great outdoors!

Ramsay’s Instagram: @northmen_bushcraft 

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Campfire Conversation:

Michelle Gormican-Thompson from the Wisconsin Counties Association joins Eric, Susan, and Josh in The

Cabin to share stories about Adams County. After some fast (and, in our opinion, interesting) facts about

Adams County, we dive into a variety of things you can do, see, and experience there. From an Arts

perspective we discuss the Sand County Players, which has provided a tradition of community theater in

the county since 1977. They have produced over 100 shows as they provide financial and resource

support for numerous youth and community arts activities. Under this umbrella, the Home Town Rome

Players also regularly perform for seniors in Rome itself, within the county. The conversation moves to

the natural beauty and landscape of Adams County. A major topic is golf, with the massive Sand Valley

becoming an international destination. Its history only dates back 15-20 years, and we cover how it was

developed and what makes its three main courses – so far – so special. Meanwhile, nearby Northern Bay

is the only replica course in the state, with echoes of Augusta National to beckon golfers. From a food

standpoint, we dive into Heartland Farms, a multi-family business since 1873 that continues to churn

out some of the best chipping and fresh market potatoes in the nation. Their farm sprawls across 27,000

acres, including the original 80 acres from 150 years ago. Their embrace of sustainable practices, solar

technology, and the latest irrigation methods generate 120 semis’ worth of potatoes that can ship out

per day! Adams County embraces its farms and small communities while offering plenty of outdoor

recreation for visitors, a topic discussed with Adams County Clark Liana Glavin. Additional stories

involving sod farms, parks, wineries, and a newly-restored farm designed for visitors will be covered on

the online Uniquely Wisconsin show, which you can enjoy on DiscoverWisconsin.com, YouTube, or

wherever you stream your shows.

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Washington

County; https://bit.ly/3mA98vs

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school

districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health

benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana welcome Kyla Marie Charles to The Cabin for a discussion on kid-friendly activities and

destinations across Wisconsin. Winter has been long – and it continues to show up at times – but wth

spring technically here and summer around the corner, it’s a terrific time to plan some trips away from

the house and perhaps away from your hometown to explore where you can have family fun and make

memories. Some highlights include the obvious Wisconsin Dells waterparks and other activities; then

again, some great indoor waterparks are available in places like Eau Claire, Sheboygan, Lake Geneva,

Rothschild outside Wausau, Pewaukee/Waukesha, Minocqua, Warrens, and Green Bay. Zoos and

adventure parks are also noted from Racine and Milwaukee to Madison, Marshfield, Baraboo, Chippewa

Falls, Green Bay, and near West Bend. Children’s Museums offer unique interactive exhibits, as do

places like Farm Wisconsin near Manitowoc, which offers hands-on opportunities to learn about

farming, farm equipment, and where our food comes from. Ways to explore nature across the state

were also discussed, including arboretums, natural caves, even the remarkable Mitchell Park Domes in

Milwaukee, where you can take the kids to the desert and the tropics in one setting. Great experiences

too, from amusement parks and outdoor performances to magic shows, from go-karts to the arts – let

this episode fill you with ideas to help your kids have some fun this spring and summer while get to

enjoy, too!

Kyla’s Instagram: @kylamariecharles

Kyla’s website: https://kylamariecharles.com/

Inside Sponsors

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Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program; https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

Michelle Gormican-Thompson from the Wisconsin Counties Association joins Eric, Susan, and Josh in The

Cabin to share stories about Washington County. They discuss the iconic Holy Hill Basilica and the

National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, which sits atop the highest point in southeastern Wisconsin

and has been an area of religious worship since the mid-1800s. The twin steeples that crown Holy Hill

can be seen for tens of miles and draw people in for Mass and activities weekly. They touch on the

artistic works of Paul Bobrowitz of Colgate; from his Bobrowitz Sculpture studios metal art has emerged

and found its way to private and public collections around the nation, including the popular Three

Stooges sculptures that welcome visitors to Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery. They cover the history of

Hartford’s Chandelier Ballroom, which opened in 1928 and features a unique octagonal ballroom

complete with a one-ton Art Deco chandelier flanked by 26 smaller chandeliers – an indication it is

properly named. From its use as a POW camp in 1944 to its continued service as a live music and major

event venue today, it’s worth a visit. Michelle then dives into the history of Held’s, a popular meat

market a staple in Slinger since 1886. A historic farm with a more recent redevelopment, Old

Germantown Farm Kitchen, traces its roots to 1842 but was refurbished in 1989 by Scott & Georgine

Sommer to become a sausage crafter and brewery for people to visit and enjoy. Josh Schoemann,

Washington County Executive, joins Eric for more unique quirks and charms of the county, and Michelle

previews additional stories in the Uniquely Wisconsin video series you can watch. They include the 9/11

Memorial, inspired by Julie Haberman, a local resident who perished on that day; the musical,

mentoring, and conducting skills of Jim Barnes, who grew up in the area, left, and has returned as the

“Music Man”; and Foster Closet, an organization that has fostered over 400 children is just the last six

years and works to bring inspiration and stabilization to kids in need. You can watch the Uniquely

Wisconsin show on DiscoverWisconsin.com, YouTube, or wherever you stream your shows.

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Sheboygan

County; https://bit.ly/3EXlM09

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school

districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health

benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana discuss the arrival of spring and launch a new series within the podcast where The Cabin

welcomes emerging Wisconsin musicians and out more about them, their bands, their music,

experiences, and aspirations. In this first episode of the series, The Cabin welcomes The Astronomers, an

emerging power pop/alternative group headed by Michael Stensland and Ben Baker. Their song

"Overthinking" has over 5 million streams on Spotify; other popular tunes include "Skywalking," "Bad

Type," and their latest release "Orange Afternoon." Hailing from the Oshkosh & Fond du Lac area, they

discuss everything from how they met in middle school and continue their college studies at UW-

Oshkosh through the multi-state tour they just wrapped up that put them in front of enthusiastic

audiences from Minnesota to Florida, where they were part of The Rock Boat’s lineup. The Astronomers

write their own music, and Cabin guest Katie Scullin - a WAMI award-winning musician herself -

discusses with them their songwriting process, making music videos, getting their music on platforms

like Spotify, and performance experiences at different venues. Michael & Ben also share a variety of

interesting stories. Check out their music with these links below!

The Astronomers' website: https://www.theastronomersmusic.com/

Instagram: @theastronomers.music

Their music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Pandora, SoundCloud, YouTube,

and more, access links through Songwhip: https://songwhip.com/theastronomers/

See their YouTube video of their 2022 Tour highlights: https://youtu.be/Do4kmzLO0hg

Inside Sponsors

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

Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program; https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Milwaukee County; link TBD

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana enjoy the potato and leek soup brought in by Logan, the audio engineer, as Ana relays stories about luck and lore. Eric shares the bad luck of the Lady Elgin, a tragic event in Lake Michigan that dramatically altered the early Irish community in Milwaukee. Ana recounted some historic facts about Irish immigration to Wisconsin along with lucky & unlucky stories provided by staff from Discover Mediaworks. Communities that highlight Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day are noted, including Milwaukee and La Crosse – which each host major Irish festivals in the summer – along with the Town of Erin (plus Holy Hill and Erin Hills Golf), New London (which becomes “New Dublin” for St. Patrick’s) and even the tiny town of Luck, Wisconsin (home to a very recent lottery winner.) The Cabin also welcomes Blake Johnston from Milwaukee’s County Clare, an Irish Pub and Inn that welcomes travelers from all over. With Blake, Eric, Ana, and Logan discuss more Irish lore, Celtic languages, unique elements of Irish history from both Ireland and Wisconsin, the parades to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and the most authentic Irish food and beverage – including the story behind corned beef. In all, it’s a good look at Irish heritage in Wisconsin.

Inside Sponsors

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

Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program; https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Jefferson

County; https://bit.ly/3maarmp  

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school

districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health

benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana have Drew Westphal, golf-fluencer and podcaster, join them to dive into golf in Wisconsin.

It begins with some golf history from St. Andrews in Scotland to the fact that Tiger Woods made his pro

debut in Milwaukee. The incredible courses across the state, many with national and international

acclaim, get covered from Sheboygan County to Stevens Point and on up to Sayner, home to the first

public 9-hole course in the state. Wisconsin’s courses play host to many major golf tournaments and

championships and we cover the history and future for those events. Drew discussed how many of

Wisconsin’s best courses are open to the public, which is not the case in many other states. Also

discussed is how golf has grown during and since the pandemic. He also discussed how the golf

experience doesn’t always have to encompass 9 or 18 holes, the length of the game is starting to

become more flexible. Drew offered more perspectives and tips on playing the sport – and how to get

better – including how resources like Top Golf and X-Golf can help regardless of weather. You can enjoy

Drew’s podcast, Group Golf Therapy, on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/group-

golf-therapy/id1576362560 or wherever you get your podcasts. It’s about mental health as much as golf.

And while we cover Golf Digest’s rankings of top Wisconsin courses, Drew also reveals some of his

favorite “hidden gem” courses around the state. Gran your clubs and get ready for golfing season by

enjoying this episode!

Inside Sponsors

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

Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program; https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring

Trempealeau County; https://bit.ly/3D0LDCi

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school

districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health

benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana dive into Wisconsin history with a focus on Native American settlements and mound

builders, getting some remarkable insight from Bob Birmingham, the Executive Director of Friends of

Aztalan State Park. He is also a former state archeologist and retired professor from UW-Waukesha and

has authored several books on historic sites in the state. Mr. Birmingham discussed how Aztalan was

essentially the state’s first city and home to the original agricultural sites. Further settlements were

discussed and how they changed based on diet, available resources, weather, health, and potential

hostilities from animals and other people. Native Americans in Wisconsin built effigy mounds – by most

counts 15,000 – 20,000 of them - across the state. Eric, Ana, and Mr. Birmingham discuss many of those

that have been recognized and preserved, including at Lizard Mound State Park, which was recently

upgraded from a county park in Washington County. Other locations include Wyalusing State Park

where the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers meet, Man Mound National Monument near Baraboo,

Pendarvis in Mineral Point and other state historic sites. The history of mining, particularly lead, was also

discussed as it was incredibly influential to the state’s history, even leading to the state’s mascot being

the “Badgers” and the initial fur trade that established connections between European explorers and

settlers and the Native Americans already in the state. In all, it’s a comprehensive look at how the state

developed during its early history and where you can go to learn further about, and even sense, this

history.

Inside Sponsors

Ho Chunk: https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru 

Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program; https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

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

The Cabin is also presented by WCA’s Group Health Trust; serving local governments and school districts, the WCA Group Health Trust partners closely with members to fulfill their employee health benefit obligations in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

Campfire Conversation: 

Cari Greving from Real Racine joins Eric and Ana and discuss the cities, towns, notable landmarks, historic sites, and unique features across the “262” area. The inventions, industrial heritage and redevelopments of Kenosha and Racine began the discussion. Topics ranged from Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural marvels in Racine, including Wingspread, to museums and lighthouses along the Lake Michigan shores. Ana got the update on the Peeps Competition at the Racine Art Museum. We moved inland to discuss unique places to visit including the Mars Cheese Castle and the Bong Recreation Area. The conversation continued to cover Burlington – in part for chocolate and their famous “Liar’s Club” - and the nearby towns of Waterford and Rochester. From there, we worked clockwise into Walworth County with the draw of Lake Geneva and the incredible beauty and bevy of things to do and see around Geneva Lake, the ski hills at Alpine Valley and Grand Geneva, Elkhorn and the productive farms, orchards, and breweries nearby. The East Troy Railroad, which runs on the original interurban line that extended into Milwaukee, still runs to Mukwonago in Waukesha County and it’s a great experience for kids and grown-ups alike. We then proceeded to cover Waukesha County, which combines dynamic cities and suburbs with the natural appeal of Kettle Moraine and numerous glacial lakes. Waukesha itself is vibrant and is getting increasingly known as “Guitar Town” since Les Paul, inventor of the electric guitar and multi-track recording, hailed from Waukesha. You can enjoy everything from history at Old World Wisconsin in Eagle to professional baseball with the Lake Country Dock Hounds in Oconomowoc. The 262 also covers areas north into Washington County, including Hartford with its automotive history, museums, and architecture; West Bend with its appliance manufacturing history and popular downtown; and Holy Hill, a national shrine that draws people from around the world. Finally, we head east into Ozaukee County, from Mequon up through Port Washington and Cedarburg. The shoreline of Lake Michigan north of Milwaukee’s 414 area is quite different from south of Milwaukee, and we discuss how – and why. The accessible parklands along Lake Michigan in Ozaukee County include Lion’s Den Gorge County Park and Harrington Beach State Park. Port Washington itself is a charming town with a New England feel, famous for fishing and its marine, lighthouses, and more. All these areas offer great history, museums, breweries, wineries, and unique spots to enjoy. We list and cover many of them by topic towards the end of the conversation, spreading the love all around “the 262.”

Inside Sponsors

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

Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program; https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

This bonus episode is part of the Uniquely Wisconsin series, a broadcast and streaming series that spotlights the untold stories of Wisconsinites and highlights the communities in which they live. From the emotional and heartwarming, to the humorous and the historic, the Uniquely Wisconsin brand captures the essence of the people of America’s Dairyland. While still a Discover Wisconsin feel, we're doing a deeper dive into the culture that makes up each county and how it forms Wisconsin’s culture. This week, we highlight Sheboygan County.

We begin with facts about Sheboygan County and how it serves as a fascinating cross-section of the state. Right by peaceful farms and beautiful forests with lakes and rolling hills you’ll find world-class golfing destinations, resorts, impeccable dining, and robust companies with international profiles. While the county seat of Sheboygan is “bratwurst capital of the world” and a coastal city known for its freshwater surfing opportunities that draw people from all over – even in winter – a bevy of smaller towns offer a variety of ways to enjoy living, working, and playing. Plymouth, Sheboygan Falls, Howard’s Grove, Greenbush, Elkhart Lake, Oostburg, Cedar Grove and more all offer options with convenient access to anything you need. Kohler, a town built from its namesake company, offers five-star golf, resorts, shopping, and even the Kohler Design Center, which inspires anyone looking to maximize the beauty and functionality of their home. Bold and diverse, yet friendly with great quality of life and opportunity – it’s all in Sheboygan County.

Stories shared include:

The Arts Residency Program at John Michael Kohler Arts Center. The museum, which was opened thanks to the Kohler family in 1957, launched an Arts/Industry Residency Program in 1974. Ruth DeYoung Kohler II and her brother, the late Herb Kohler, were the founders and what they created became internationally recognized. The program invites a select group of artists at three month intervals to spend time in Kohler, creating artwork from materials found within Kohler Company’s factory. They design beautiful artwork from enamel, brass, and more. Nearly 500 artists have participated in the program. The 12 artists chosen each year through a very competitive juried application process get the opportunity to work with one of the most unique collaborations between art and industry in the nation.

Community Support with Lemons of Love. Lemons of Love is a non-profit that deliver cares packages to those diagnosed or impacted by cancer and cancer treatments. When Jill Swanson was diagnosed with cancer, she received a gift package to help her throughout the treatment process. She discovered these smallest of gifts can sometimes change the world for someone by providing motivation and inspiration.In 2014 Jill created Lemons of Love to pass on that motivation to other individuals impacted by cancer.  Lemons of Love is in Plymouth, with another location in Mount Prospect, Illinois. Since starting in 2014, Lemons of Love has worked with over 1,600 volunteers who have created and delivered over 19,000 care packages and who provide one-on-one family support. You can find out more, even volunteer or donate, at LemonsOfLove.org.

The Shaw Family Playground. While fully-accessible ADA playgrounds are somewhat limited around Wisconsin, Sheboygan County recent developed its first fully accessible ADA playground in partnership with the Sheboygan Park Project and the Friends of the Sheboygan Jaycees. Sheboygan Park Project founders Ryan and Angie Shaw, whose story involving their conjoined twins became well-known, wanted to provide a space for their children and others to not have to watch from the sidelines as other children played. They spearheaded the fundraising and efforts to see the project through, realizing this inspiring vision to create a place for all kids. The park had its grand opening on August 27th, 2022 and is located within Evergreen Park on Pine Grove Avenue in Sheboygan; all are welcome.

Family Business Legacies and Visions. We focus on two great businesses in Sheboygan: 3 Sheeps Brewing, which started relatively recently, and Miesfeld’s, a longtime family business tradition.

3 Sheeps Brewing: Starting at home by trial and error, Grant Pauly decided to take the next step in developing his business in 2012. What started for him as a hobby has now one of the most recognized local craft breweries in Wisconsin. As the company outgrew its original location, it moved into a former Coca-Cola facility that provided room for its expansion. Taking a chance and having a vision for success is key to any business plan, and Grant Pauly’s story is in an inspiring one as 3 Sheeps continues to grow. Their brewery and tap room on North Avenue hosts live music and events as well as room to enjoy food, beverages, and games in a facility that welcomes the whole family. 

Miesfeld’s is a widely loved, family-run business in Sheboygan County since 1941. Now home to the largest meat counters in the Midwest, Miesfeld’s is a prime example of the power of Wisconsin’s meat and sausage industry – and Sheboygan County’s in particular. One thing that separates Miesfelds from most is their commitment to community. Every week at the Brat Hut outside the store, there is a brat fry that local organizations sign-up for to raise money. Miesfelds has also played a large part in fundraising for different causes, including the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

We also talked with Karin Kirchmeier, the Executive Director of the Partners for Community Development in Sheboygan County. We discussed her love of the county and how the welcoming atmosphere made her arrival in the county two years ago an easy one for her and her family. We also covered many of the county’s unique features and amenities and discussed some of their initiatives, which extend even beyond the county. 

Michelle then offers a preview of what we can watch on Uniquely Wisconsin’s Sheboygan County episode online, including stories about the renowned 

Sheboygan Symphony, where we visit with a local music teacher who shares his talents and also the new conductor, who shares why he fell in love with Sheboygan County and his motivation to perform. The 

Sheboygan Youth Sailing Team, which introduces youths and adults to sailing while helping them develop the skills and safety to crow and skipper a sailboat. This program allows Sheboygan County residents to take advantage of the opportunities the vast shorelines of Lake Michigan provides. And finally, the 

Green Bicycle Company, Heather Cleveland founded in 2000 with the mission of helping people create and achieve their goals. Through community projects and consulting, Heather's dedication to her county and the communities within is an inspiration for others.