tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26757077993069080302024-02-18T20:48:34.106-08:00DELLS BUCKET LISTOne man's quest for adventure and behind-the-scene looks at some of the many Wisconsin Dells area bars, restaurants, and attractions.Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-429786531678295932013-10-24T12:07:00.000-07:002013-12-16T14:16:20.135-08:00DELLS BUCKETLIST #26 - Spending an afternoon at the Country Bumpkin Farm Market<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
Over the past two years I’ve crossed off over twenty-five
things from my Dells Bucket List, but none have come close to providing the vast
amount of different activities I experienced as when I visited the Country
Bumpkin Farm Market.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent">Established in 1997 by owners
Charlie and Cindy Rhinehart, the Country Bumpkin Farm Market offers </span>over
fifty different varieties of homegrown <span class="usercontent">berries, fruits,
and vegetables, along with </span>bakery treats, flower baskets, crafts, and unique
gifts. On top of all this, they have a petting zoo, a play town, corn mazes,
zip lines, peddle karts, a tractor pulled train, and even a slingshot and
catapult to launch fruit and vegetables through the air – all of which I got to
experience during a recent visit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
Located on thirty acres one mile west of Walmart on County
Road P, the beautiful farm grounds are an excellent place to enjoy some healthy
food and healthy activities, as well as a great place to relax and take in the
enticing aromas.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent">My afternoon started with a ride in
the tractor pulled train driven by Charlie, where I got a tour of the grounds
while Cindy described what went into the growing and harvesting process. I
learned that the farm is completely family operated, doing everything themselves
with help from their two children Danny and Debbie, along with their son-in-law
Jimmy. </span><br />
<span class="usercontent"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="usercontent"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPvfrr7z_ots1guohFtQyR1mbEN8h1bZEY3QqtBtmqtsp4ED1AzXTVuw4ZZQZ_AqObeKVX1If83eWEgvA3DdP8ppVM98HrTvLVYLFm_9Jcqa_UlyFv7ry1hNxlErpqQ-JJGgEgGX_Fag/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPvfrr7z_ots1guohFtQyR1mbEN8h1bZEY3QqtBtmqtsp4ED1AzXTVuw4ZZQZ_AqObeKVX1If83eWEgvA3DdP8ppVM98HrTvLVYLFm_9Jcqa_UlyFv7ry1hNxlErpqQ-JJGgEgGX_Fag/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPvfrr7z_ots1guohFtQyR1mbEN8h1bZEY3QqtBtmqtsp4ED1AzXTVuw4ZZQZ_AqObeKVX1If83eWEgvA3DdP8ppVM98HrTvLVYLFm_9Jcqa_UlyFv7ry1hNxlErpqQ-JJGgEgGX_Fag/s200/IMG_4899.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
During my tour, Charlie pulled the train right up next to a
row of ripe champagne grapes, where Cindy and I were able to grab clusters
right from the vine. Cindy told me that they don’t use any sprays, so it was
completely safe to start eating them right then and there. She told me: “People
are relieved, because they know their kids are going to eat the berries, but
it’s all natural.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I ate the delectable grapes, we worked our way through many
fields of fresh produce, where I saw several varieties of berries, pumpkins,
melons, tomatoes, and sweet corn growing, the last of which I surprisingly was
allowed to eat right off the stalk. This was a first for me, as I’ve never
eaten corn that wasn’t cooked before, but I have to say, it was still quite
delicious. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCygPvgrK4SfeLwp7cWMvlR0Kg8HunU8RhKAUZcPW0LMfTs6xTDHUu66Ds9TYiYWEcsz2FpVA_4oCZmpaBgsZTK4xjw9K-GIjDN8sKQAingn6NVjI7IteCf22IvQLrRDnyX8FefpjCxI/s1600/IMG_4903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCygPvgrK4SfeLwp7cWMvlR0Kg8HunU8RhKAUZcPW0LMfTs6xTDHUu66Ds9TYiYWEcsz2FpVA_4oCZmpaBgsZTK4xjw9K-GIjDN8sKQAingn6NVjI7IteCf22IvQLrRDnyX8FefpjCxI/s200/IMG_4903.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After touring the fields, we ended up stopping at a large wooden
catapult, where you can launch melons and pumpkins through the air. Knowing an
opportunity like this doesn't come along every day, I hand-cranked the arm down,
loaded a Muskmelon into the sling, and after releasing the safety, pulled a
rope that let loose the arm, launching the melon through the sky close to fifty
yards. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once we got done smashing melons, up next was a little
target practice, shooting apples from a large sling-shot. Using apples that
were a little too beat up to sell, we took turns loading them into the pocket,
and then pulling back the elastic bands about six feet or so. Letting the bands
go, the apples would shoot out forcefully, cutting through the wind towards the
targets. It’s harder than it looks though, and while I came close a few times,
I never did quite hit one of the far off targets.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTdlqT7pFF_5GkDQQdsQtK4aZrt67eA05GThPC1Bjd1vJa1wFGNucvDyx9ctTcLyA81G8-LlTE2vLoj5dPLb_qPDXeMtI1MN6Xq6GSbILRb_WMa6VacCCvXOD6OWh_EbelPW9c2FaCGI/s1600/%233+chris+launching+apples+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTdlqT7pFF_5GkDQQdsQtK4aZrt67eA05GThPC1Bjd1vJa1wFGNucvDyx9ctTcLyA81G8-LlTE2vLoj5dPLb_qPDXeMtI1MN6Xq6GSbILRb_WMa6VacCCvXOD6OWh_EbelPW9c2FaCGI/s200/%233+chris+launching+apples+.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Once we were done discharging fruit through the air, we
moved on to doing a little racing. The first was with pedal karts, which
reminded me of the Big Wheels of my youth, only stronger and more rugged. It
was extremely fun acting like kids as I raced Cindy around the track. They went
quite a bit faster than I expected, and you get a pretty good workout making
them move. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once we tired-out ourselves that way, we moved on to try a
second type of race, this time working your arms instead of using leg exertion.
Charlie made what he calls the Raging Rapids Duck Race, where you use a hand
pump to push water into gutters containing little plastic ducks like you would
find at a carnival game. After Cindy picked out her favorite color duck, I
picked mine and we competed again. I’ll admit, while she did beat me the first
time, I rebounded from my loss to win the second race. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="usercontent">Having enough competition for the
day, we next toured the </span>Lil’ Bumpkin
Play Village
where Charlie has made all the buildings by hand. He built a replica of their
home, a cute little church, a barn that houses real animals for their petting
zoo, including Cindy’s favorite Allie the Alpaca, for which I had the
opportunity to feed watermelon to by hand. There also is a school house where
kids can hang up their coloring artwork, and if they happen to be a little
rowdy, parents can sit their children on a little stool in the corner and make
them wear a dunce cap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNHcSJNvTjmuBFPq1rUqK3-JKlWyFD6KV3YEn6ONWAlU-PAbCHAxGdHlk31DvoX9iKAUQOco6roXgd0a6iL-pe0Fv0_9-Ffl66qWSUNNO-47T_cO9zO5L2EL1ZSe6xFjVg2SoqXZfNtU/s1600/IMG_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNHcSJNvTjmuBFPq1rUqK3-JKlWyFD6KV3YEn6ONWAlU-PAbCHAxGdHlk31DvoX9iKAUQOco6roXgd0a6iL-pe0Fv0_9-Ffl66qWSUNNO-47T_cO9zO5L2EL1ZSe6xFjVg2SoqXZfNtU/s200/IMG_4970.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="usercontent"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexposedshow">I wrapped up my fun filled day
on the farm by swinging a couple times on the zipline, then navigating my way
through the 2.5 acre corn maze. Before I left, I asked Cindy what she liked best
about her Country Bumpkin life. She told me: </span>“I just love having all the
healthy vegetables and fruit that people really appreciate. Everybody is happy
when they come out here. They can wander around and it’s peaceful.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sure can attest to that, as after <span class="textexposedshow">having spent a few hours experiencing all that the
Country Bumpkin Farm Market had to offer, I slept great later that night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Country Bumpkin Farm Market is open every day from Late
April to November 1<sup>st</sup>, from 9am
to 6pm. They are wrapping up their
season<span class="textexposedshow"> with hay wagon rides taking you out to where
you can pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. </span>For more information
please visit: www.countrybumpkinent.com or call 608-254-2311<br />
<br />
For more pictures of my visit to the Country Bumpkin Farm visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.583091025081918.1073741834.177829635608061&type=3" target="_blank">Facebook Page here</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSFEDF6uQY3OSoQZTa4kUbacldvI08f-jduYr3JMaJuhrvLxqoDYAyzGxuouJi8RJOcl_ZzT3e00XtK_p6LYZhA0tnppsUIb-Pw29_eBGnWA8sj7CyX-WNKynsAhd4XQdUqcoLoCFAZU/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSFEDF6uQY3OSoQZTa4kUbacldvI08f-jduYr3JMaJuhrvLxqoDYAyzGxuouJi8RJOcl_ZzT3e00XtK_p6LYZhA0tnppsUIb-Pw29_eBGnWA8sj7CyX-WNKynsAhd4XQdUqcoLoCFAZU/s320/IMG_0540.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-46148651575318601002013-10-24T11:40:00.000-07:002013-12-23T17:21:41.338-08:00Interview with Country Bumpkin Farm Market owners - Charlie & Cindy Rhinehart<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Country Bumpkin Farm Market is one of Wisconsin Dells' hidden treasures.
Located about a mile west of Walmart, they offer over fifty different homegrown
berries, fruits, and vegetables, along with bakery treats, flower baskets,
crafts, and other unique gifts. On top of all this, they have a petting zoo,
corn mazes, zip lines, peddle karts, a play town, a tractor pulled train, and
even a slingshot and catapult to launch fruit through the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Recently,
I had the chance to spend an afternoon with owners Charlie and Cindy Rhinehart,
who graciously gave me a tour of their thirty acre farm attraction, as well as
shared their story of bringing healthy food and activities to kids and adults
alike. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYW3DqF2_CjC66fOar9K8PRjko0LUdIhSd9n0f97TNW5V32CjYN98I67-WcsthkF1ouUrDoF6Ub7Afy3Gn3OemcLMCuXIdscvdsSq-rjySI-h9E4Ebzu_AFWUYalz_OrRRUU2IPtXB4o/s1600/%232+owner+charlie+and+cindy+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYW3DqF2_CjC66fOar9K8PRjko0LUdIhSd9n0f97TNW5V32CjYN98I67-WcsthkF1ouUrDoF6Ub7Afy3Gn3OemcLMCuXIdscvdsSq-rjySI-h9E4Ebzu_AFWUYalz_OrRRUU2IPtXB4o/s320/%232+owner+charlie+and+cindy+.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHRIS
DEARMAN: So while we’re waiting for Charlie to get back from the fields, tell
me a little about yourselves. Are you two originally from the area?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CINDY
RHINEHART: My husband is. He’s from the Dells. He went to the Dells High
School. I’m from Northern Wisconsin. I’m originally from Mercer, then St.
Germain, then Eagle River, Minocqua, those areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So what
made you come down here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Well, we
met there. He was up there working when we met, and we ended up moving back
here to his area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Was he a
farmer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">No, he
was always doing other things. He was doing blacktop at the time. He’s done
that for all of his life. His dad, he was always the farmer, and had the land.
We bought this land from his parents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So it
was always a farm?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Yes, it
was a 100 acre farm. We eventually sold some off, and now have thirty acres for
ourselves here. They did the soy beans and field corn, but it just got to be
that there was no money in that anymore. Once you hired someone to do the
combine, there ended-up being zero balance sheets. (laughs) So, the land lay
bare for a couple years, but Charlie was always thinking of ideas – what could
we do for ourselves on our own? Especially something for our retirement years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Were you
into farming before you met Charlie?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">No, I
was always in office work. Real estate and secretarial . . . that type of thing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So you
had farmland, but nothing growing on it. What made you finally decide to start
things back up again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">In 1996,
it was sort of the start of the “health” phase; people were really getting into
that. We thought, let’s start with strawberries, because there weren’t a lot of
strawberry farms yet, the pick your own kind, around here. So, we started with
that. We were both still doing our other jobs, but by hand we planted a half an
acre of strawberries on our hands and knees. (laughs) So, that’s how we started.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How did
it turn out that first year?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">It
turned out good! On my days off from work I was just down there.And my Mom
helped too. People came and picked
berries. It worked out nice. We also were doing an honor system for pumpkins
and sweet corn, because his father always did. We would have a wagon out there
at the farm and a metal can, so it all started that way. We put the money away
for the kids towards college, but we were thinking, like I said, that we wanted
to build something for ourselves – what can we do? – let’s build a business
with the farmland. So, we put up a little building seventeen years ago. We had
the square part of what is the store now, and that was it! (laughs). He just
put in a driveway and we were off and running.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Charlie
likes to tell the story of when we first started. It was our first Spring and
time for me to plant the seeds, -- so he went out and plows it all. He then
says to me – go ahead and plant! I was like – but I don’t know how! (laughs)
Actually, I kind of cried -- looking at all that empty soil all around me. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So how
did you end up learning?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Charlie
taught me. He’s the one that taught me really. It started out by just hammering
in stakes, making rows, and learning how to take care of the crops. But I also
learned a lot by belonging to the various farming associations. I just get more
confident every year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well it
looks like things have certainly grown from back then. Did you guys have a
grand plan for it all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Charlie
had drawn on graph paper and had it all planned out of what he would like to
see the future to be, and it ended up that we built it exactly where he had
everything spaced and placed. He had a vision. He’s the visionary. I’m just
like, OK, let’s do it!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Did you
call it Country Bumpkin seventeen years ago?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">We did. Charlie
asked me what we wanted to name it, and I don’t know why, but I came up with
the name Country Bumpkin Farm Market. He liked it, so it stuck. I just thought,
you know, we’ll just be country bumpkins! (laughs)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s a
great name! So you started with strawberries, what came next?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">What
came next is that we planted raspberries, because we were into the U-pick
We-pick berries. Also, his father already had a well-established patch across
the road of blueberries, which are now there like 30-35 years old, so we
thought that would be a good start – a good niche.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">From
that start of berries you’ve now grown to all sorts of things. How many
varieties of produce grow here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Oh, I
always thought that we have fifty different things at least. We go from the
asparagus season, to the strawberries. Actually, five different varieties of
strawberries. And then we have summer
raspberries and fall raspberries. Then blueberries, we've got four different
varieties of those now. We have some apples, some plum trees, and then the
grapes – champagne or dessert grapes, the seedless red, and then Concord grapes
down at the end. We grow lots of
different melons too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">From
there we have the vegetables. Everything from pickles & dill to sweet corn
and tomatoes. Different types of
cabbage, various types of lettuce. We have broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and
kale. Beets, eggplant . . . peppers . .
. zucchini. We wanted to be very
versatile, so that we could be open from April till we can’t anymore, which is
November first. Our main goal was to grow healthy, with no sprays. Also, we
wanted to have everything possible so when someone drives all the way out here,
it’s worth it, because there was nothing out here when we started. There was no
Walmart, nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And now
not only do you have a thriving farmer’s market, you have your very own little
town and petting zoo (Charlie sits down).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
Charlie, you started this place with just fruits and vegetables and now you
grew it into a whole town!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE
RHINEHART: Yeah, but that was what we had mostly been for all the years,
strictly a farmers market.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is it
just you two or do you have any other employees?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
I do it all by myself! (laughs). No, we used to do it all ourselves for years,
with a little help from our mothers, but now our daughter and son-in-law help.
They are working it to eventually take over someday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
Our son also helps us occasionally, and one of our neighbors, Holly, she’s been
helping us for eight years. We have a
nice family that have picked berries for us the last 13 years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">So when
did you come up with all the cute little town stuff?</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
That just started last year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
I tried to do it ten years ago…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
But I dragged my feet! (laughs) " No, I don’t want buildings, I want it to
stay just the way it is" – I thought it was pretty. He always had thought
about adding the petting farm part, but I don’t know about the play village.
How did that come about? Is it because the kids joined us now, and you wanted
to build the place up?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
I built the little church, and was like,
I might as well build something else. (laughs)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">Did you
build them all by yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
Yeah, well I built the house too! (the normal size one that they actually live
in) I actually built all the buildings on the property, but those little
buildings took me about a month each to build, -- our house took me two years!
(laughs)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well, I
see you have a little replica of your house, a church, a school house, a barn,
miner shack, and an outhouse. Any future plans for more little buildings? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
Well I know he wants to build a jail. (laughs)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
Some days, with some of the kids you need one! But, you know the first thing
that is going to happen is that the kids are going to have the parents locked
up! (laughs)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
And then he always thought of a log cabin…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
A little log cabin in the pine trees.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That all
sounds pretty neat. Besides the tiny town that kids can climb around in, I
noticed you have a few things that require you to be active – like the Pedal
Karts and zip lines. Any other plans for more things like that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
We've got some plans for some other fun things. Like recently we saw bouncy
horses for adults and children, so we want to make a corral with that, of
bouncy horses. And an obstacle course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
Everything has to require something for physical activity though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
Yes, it’s all for health. Good healthy food, good healthy activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
Yeah, we don’t want any motors on them. (laughs), Everyone seems to really like
the Pedal Karts, even without motors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yeah,
that’s pretty unique for these parts. The Dells has a dozen different go cart
places, but what you got here is something a little different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
We added the Pedal Karts this year. For adults and kids – it’s really fun! You
look down there and see parents racing their kids. Everyone is smiling. It’s
just a good feeling to see, everybody having fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">I bet
the kids have a lot of fun at the petting zoo as well. Where did you get the
animals and how many do you have here?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
We rent them from a gentleman in Reedsburg…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
But we’re thinking about putting in a more permanent barn so that we can keep a
few animals year-round...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
We have two donkeys, two alpaca, and a llama. We have three mother goats, and
they each have a set of twins, and then one of them had another set of twins.
The owner didn’t know she was pregnant, so that was cool. We have a picture of
Charlie in there holding the goats as babies when they were just born. Then we
got Rudy the Rooster, and his ten hens. (laughs) We have some ducks, and then
the sheep, two mothers and two young ones.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Wow,
sounds like with everything you two got going on here, that there must be a ton
of hard work to keep things running smoothly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY:
That’s true, but every year it seems that it’s getting easier, even though we
are doing more. It seems like it would get harder, but you just get used to
what you’re doing and you’re ready to do more. They say the more you do, the
more you can do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well
from the looks of things, it seems like all your hard work is paying off. I’ll
wrap things up by asking, what’s your favorite aspect of doing all this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CHARLIE:
Mostly, just watching the kids have fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">CINDY: I
just love having all the healthy vegetables and fruit that people really
appreciate. Everybody is happy when they come out here. They can wander around
and it’s peaceful. They remark that they can see that we love what we are
doing. It reflects in everything, and that we keep it clean and that it’s laid
back. I think that is something that we tried to gear towards, just something
peaceful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">S</span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">o I
think that’s the main thing, like I said, to be healthy, to have healthy food,
and to keep it comfortable and relaxed so people can just enjoy. They can come
to pick berries, they can take their time, there is no one here saying no you
can't do this, you can't do that. We just let them come out here and enjoy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well I
certainly enjoyed my afternoon here. Thank you so much for having me come out
and see the place. I can’t wait to come back and bring my niece and nephew. I
know that they’d love it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more information about the Country Bumpkin Farm Market
please visit their website: <a href="http://www.countrybumpkinent.com/">www.countrybumpkinent.com</a>
or find them on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Country-Bumpkin-Farm-Market/111311328906345">HERE.</a></div>
<br />Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-47395016613136855552013-10-07T14:47:00.000-07:002013-10-07T14:49:03.265-07:00Country Bumpkin Farm Market<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">COMING SOON!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdkt-hQL8ox4Fi_X4DHsXj1JG9JtAEoMXMTJJRPc1aOxrfUbcX21VS9sT2PMO4R_z47sLT5E5IjdeSTsxctaNqQI-4qe-CY98s6LpsFNQJjjlTPRg-fBbLM0pWM3lPkClsJNZwgdBCCk/s1600/1097766_583098465081174_2010069680_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdkt-hQL8ox4Fi_X4DHsXj1JG9JtAEoMXMTJJRPc1aOxrfUbcX21VS9sT2PMO4R_z47sLT5E5IjdeSTsxctaNqQI-4qe-CY98s6LpsFNQJjjlTPRg-fBbLM0pWM3lPkClsJNZwgdBCCk/s320/1097766_583098465081174_2010069680_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="http://www.countrybumpkinent.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.countrybumpkinent.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNVFMIiSo3nhhQOzfVDbuzJ7ouAF22OGc_cMGW-nl2A9lw6YaNn8VDVhV1x4Trj46gzGPsjqg54cTs7m2iirYusXJi2r711sKyHfqOqL7onrP5LS-lwC4-3QdfNSUMMg_iXnkWi4Eow0/s1600/561898_583097018414652_1459196125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNVFMIiSo3nhhQOzfVDbuzJ7ouAF22OGc_cMGW-nl2A9lw6YaNn8VDVhV1x4Trj46gzGPsjqg54cTs7m2iirYusXJi2r711sKyHfqOqL7onrP5LS-lwC4-3QdfNSUMMg_iXnkWi4Eow0/s200/561898_583097018414652_1459196125_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-21461123110195598112013-09-22T15:26:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:59:45.656-08:00DELLS BUCKET LIST #25 - Visiting Wally World Arcade, Krazy Mirror Maze, Shootin' Gallery, Haunted Mansion & Torture Museum<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Over the years I’ve visited
many Dells area attractions, but recently I had the opportunity to visit five
of them, all in one afternoon. This whirlwind experience came courtesy of Wally
Nekyha and his wife Terry, owners of the downtown attractions – The Haunted
Mansion, Torture Museum, Shootin’ Gallery, Krazy Mirror Maze, and Wally World
Arcade. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fifteen years ago Wally
bought what was then called Tommy Bartlett’s Gyrotron on the corner of Broadway
and Oak Street and renamed it Wally World Arcade, filling it with coin-operated
amusements from his nearly forty-year-old Chicago party rental company. Besides
having the only antique carousel in the Wisconsin Dells and a large variety of
classic games, they kept one of the old Gyrotrons for those wanting to
experience an aeronautic ride where you’re strapped into the middle of rings
that spin independently inside one another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9krk6aI2tSi1T8XOIesQiky98q6nVjAOVtyVdUfVinfKUdecbA9MNoXh7CMddbNwgGJr2dBVME_4QsvoVZ2dv6eBurW2LBE36LjPt-nEso4eGr4hnC8NwBenMaJ8-RQxv9M32aA1HkI/s1600/%235+Wally+World.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9krk6aI2tSi1T8XOIesQiky98q6nVjAOVtyVdUfVinfKUdecbA9MNoXh7CMddbNwgGJr2dBVME_4QsvoVZ2dv6eBurW2LBE36LjPt-nEso4eGr4hnC8NwBenMaJ8-RQxv9M32aA1HkI/s200/%235+Wally+World.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Having already gone through
that dizzying experience before, I decided to skip it this go-around and
instead had Wally bring me over to one of his newer attractions, the Krazy
Mirror Maze. Born out of the necessity when needing to fill the space after a
gift shop tenant left, Wally told me he got the inspiration for it from an old
black & white Charlie Chaplin movie.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Krazy Mirror Maze is only
approximately 1200 square feet large, but being there are close to 200
floor-to-ceiling mirrors filling up the space, it seems much larger. While the
concept is an old one, Wally put a new-school spin on things by offering guests
the chance to go through the maze twice, the second time while wearing 3D
glasses. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I thought the first go-around
was disorientating enough as I tried to figure out which direction to move
while seeing my reflection everywhere, but once you put on the 3D glasses,
things got considerably more difficult. You literally had to feel your way
through the course or risk possibly slamming into a mirror. Wally told me for
those frequent instances, he buys ice packs to give out to the unfortunate ones
that think they can quickly run through the maze.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBrHlcA7UBRbvRZ7OMA_7tbnka_M8qCPrhZwVtBRo1V0N09KZQwAbZ01_893C11Q880OxF3vguJ8tgODX67QVr3T5m_wbMZVzi1ClrvBvM-Zvz6aIWuDApk2Ir5efLbYblEkkrzFUHFY/s1600/%25236+Krazy+Mirror+Maze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBrHlcA7UBRbvRZ7OMA_7tbnka_M8qCPrhZwVtBRo1V0N09KZQwAbZ01_893C11Q880OxF3vguJ8tgODX67QVr3T5m_wbMZVzi1ClrvBvM-Zvz6aIWuDApk2Ir5efLbYblEkkrzFUHFY/s200/%25236+Krazy+Mirror+Maze.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">After successfully navigating
the Krazy Mirror Maze, I made my way down the street to the Haunted Mansion.
Wally told me that when he bought the downtown mainstay five or six years ago,
it was in need of refurbishing and updating, so every year he puts in something
new. Not having visited the place since I was a teenager, I was anxious to see
some of the improvements. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When I arrived, I met
longtime summer employee Don Zamzow, who retired from a telephone company
seventeen years ago after nearly forty years of service. I took the opportunity
to ask Don who was usually more afraid to enter, kids or adults. He told me
sometimes kids will march in bravely, and other times they’ll just start
screaming, but lately it’s the adults that are surprisingly afraid to enter.
This is due to a relatively new term called Coulrophobia, the fear of clowns. “They
just won’t go in. They’re terrified!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishC-YpCULnNKsdN-cBa29cyp-Nup3736r72IEfarYgEqt7Odo7DQRfh132yahD5VxGxhakl0Zqvf6XRjh15CH2HtDQ7Y9FhqT8s1oxdkr58_XuWWA9ws-Y0ij_06iEKhY82mbGuLkzqY/s1600/%25237+Haunted+Mansion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishC-YpCULnNKsdN-cBa29cyp-Nup3736r72IEfarYgEqt7Odo7DQRfh132yahD5VxGxhakl0Zqvf6XRjh15CH2HtDQ7Y9FhqT8s1oxdkr58_XuWWA9ws-Y0ij_06iEKhY82mbGuLkzqY/s200/%25237+Haunted+Mansion.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Not having that fear myself,
I ventured into the dark hallways filled with the sounds of loud screaming,
sirens blaring, and evil laughter intermixed between songs like "The Monster
Mash" and the theme song from "The Adams Family". Various horror movie set type
displays are throughout, as well as newer effect like a vortex tunnel and laser
light show. Thankfully my only real fear, having something reach out and grab
me, didn’t happen. Wally later told me that fear is the first thing people are
paranoid about, but he tells them: “Nothing will touch you. They’re all dead!”</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">After surviving my trip
through the Haunted Mansion, I went around the corner to another creepy
attraction, the Torture Museum, which Wally purchased four years ago. The
museum is filled with pain inducing devices like a guillotine, a Chinese Death
Cage, an iron gag, and many other ghastly mechanisms. With over forty exhibits,
you get a good history lesson of implements of suffering from around the globe,
which I amusingly learned inspires many of the visiting parents to playfully
threaten their kids with. Summer employee Tim Cleland told me: “Probably about
ninety percent of the families that come out of here tell their children, you
better eat your vegetables, because I got plans for you now!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobUUqNLzj5RBmqQdeSzrJ8wudbwL6_sCI8Y4MALNPylLfjLXl8McM1q8b_88Ch91XAkTau3GqMM0nnJZcxs-ipt4_whekrh7iFKLT9Dr1J9QK7ol9Zk535Vtla2NIRHw_a72GU7O5mhs/s1600/%25238+Torture+Museum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobUUqNLzj5RBmqQdeSzrJ8wudbwL6_sCI8Y4MALNPylLfjLXl8McM1q8b_88Ch91XAkTau3GqMM0nnJZcxs-ipt4_whekrh7iFKLT9Dr1J9QK7ol9Zk535Vtla2NIRHw_a72GU7O5mhs/s200/%25238+Torture+Museum.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Having had enough creepiness
for the day, I finished my tour of Wally’s attractions with The Shootin’ Gallery,
a fun Haunted Manor themed electronic shooting gallery where you shoot targets
to win tickets that can be traded in for prizes. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Before I left, I had to ask
Wally which of his attractions is his favorite. He told me laughingly: “The one
that makes the most money!” While he wouldn’t disclose which one that was, he
did wrap things up by saying what his favorite thing is about owning Dells
attractions: “My favorite is the joy of owning a well-oiled machine. You got
everything clicking; it’s Saturday in the Dells; people are here, and you
collect the money!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span>For more pictures of my visit to these attractions visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.580875555303465.1073741832.177829635608061&type=3" target="_blank">Facebook Page here</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43sYGeG21KBZee5NA-APG8qr5UP5GuHgDKXz1W_CvM9XTbgnOwQAFjJmWbNGUYo8tiTO59JLIOBJVJfgzXZq4gBdZydemKoEh7ApvFfNQqNYLAMms8xOWkgQtwQRrfP8_NfJ-tijU9m8/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43sYGeG21KBZee5NA-APG8qr5UP5GuHgDKXz1W_CvM9XTbgnOwQAFjJmWbNGUYo8tiTO59JLIOBJVJfgzXZq4gBdZydemKoEh7ApvFfNQqNYLAMms8xOWkgQtwQRrfP8_NfJ-tijU9m8/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-80801565079664306112013-09-21T13:41:00.000-07:002013-12-02T20:03:45.445-08:00Interview with downtown Dells attraction owner Wally Nekyha & employee Don Zamzow<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wisconsin Dells is home to many family attractions, and five that are located downtown <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">– The Haunted Mansion, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Torture</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Museum</span>, Shootin’ Gallery, Krazy Mirror Maze, and Wally World
Arcade, are all owned by Wally Nekyha and his wife Terry.<br />
<br />
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Wally, as well as one of his long time employees Don Zamzow, to learn a little about each of the fun attractions. <br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SoUgBbHwlKB-g9WtDdnjnfDh8WFZoVy75pg1zKLhG8UUNrHqvKlcy70SKEQ40KBMUVYYuN8piW5TCDxsaVrKRslXb_vrN7ZHqWgEy1pjuqwXJjpt8tMl-HL4QIYt3oJ6HOpYjyi6rrU/s1600/IMG_4739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SoUgBbHwlKB-g9WtDdnjnfDh8WFZoVy75pg1zKLhG8UUNrHqvKlcy70SKEQ40KBMUVYYuN8piW5TCDxsaVrKRslXb_vrN7ZHqWgEy1pjuqwXJjpt8tMl-HL4QIYt3oJ6HOpYjyi6rrU/s320/IMG_4739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hP3i2Mz-SdbHgqWwLxDwmaLP4NIaoAAv_-D_nOy1Ukp6V0HDSQmY1a06ejwTD3RyVv9-wQcy2B5FIO2iZ5xzAj5Ii3t8vmCihcBxs3uThW3XHGMwax2lxODwlGYcyHkp8XqwOnZe-os/s1600/IMG_4799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hP3i2Mz-SdbHgqWwLxDwmaLP4NIaoAAv_-D_nOy1Ukp6V0HDSQmY1a06ejwTD3RyVv9-wQcy2B5FIO2iZ5xzAj5Ii3t8vmCihcBxs3uThW3XHGMwax2lxODwlGYcyHkp8XqwOnZe-os/s320/IMG_4799.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrArKU2YoGpOMLB_bXEYNg3MA3fkO1EAxfKO2-W5GKVhzsQu7wd_1ZGLvRAREl34Kv2iZqyFJvB2eWIrpj3b56fpfc1F2CrQ94f1ksAhMlcWWECFwwaC62EygwxiJHEsoyd-I2GF6tEs/s1600/WALLY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CHRISTOPHER DEARMAN: I heard you own multiple attractions in the Dells Wally.
Which ones are yours?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">WALLY NEKYHA:<i> I own five places – Torture
Museum, Haunted
Mansion, Wally World Arcade, Krazy
Mirror Maze, and the Shootin’ Gallery.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That’s quite a handful. What’s your favorite?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The one that makes the most money! (laughs)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Good answer. Which would that be?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>They’re all pretty close. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So are you originally from the Dells?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;">I’ve been up here for fifteen years. Fifteen years ago I
bought this place from Tom Diehl (owner of the Tommy Bartlett Watershow). That
was the last year that Tommy Bartlett was alive. I was introduced to Tom Diehl
through a mutual business associate. We discussed the deal, and twenty minutes
later Tom Diehl threw the keys at me and said – here it’s yours. I own the
whole corner, with the exception of the ticket booth. The ticket booth is still
Toms.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Where are you from originally?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I’m originally from Chicago,
but I’ve been up here for fifteen years now. So, I’m the closest thing you can
become to becoming an honorary Cheesehead. (laughs)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What did you do before owning attractions in the Dells?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;">We have a party rental company back home that rents out
rides, concessions, stuff like that. Which fits in nicely with this, because all
the stuff you see here at the arcade, we can always bring back to Chicago
for a party rental or a movie rental. Many times we get the call for movies –
we need a pool table or we need a dart game or we need a pair of drivers –
something like that. For instance, when Neil Diamond comes to town. Neil
Diamond loves to play ping pong. So, they’ll want to rent two ping pong tables
to bring backstage at the stadium. Now they can probably go out and buy them
for what we charge to rent them, but basically what they’re looking for is
service and knowing that they’ll be there. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How long have you been doing that for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I’ve done this back home for forty years. So, we have a good
connection for all the promoters and concierge using the hotels and all that. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What was here when you bought the property fifteen years
ago?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>This was Tommy Bartlett’s Gyrotron, and there main push was
the gyros (an aeronautic ride experience that has rings that move independently
inside one another) in back. They had a few games and all that, but Tom decided
to sell it, so we bought it. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What came next?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well, we bought this, got it going, and then we got to know
Ben Borcher. Ben Borcher wanted to sell the Haunted
Mansion for his father, because his
father had originally owned the Haunted
Mansion. So, we bought the Haunted
Mansion from Ben Borcher. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That’s been around forever. Did you have to do anything
to it when you bought it? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>When we bought it from Ben Borcher, it needed refurbishing,
and it needed updating. Every year we have put something new in there. I’ve
probably spent about sixty thousand dollars into
it. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s some of the stuff you’ve added?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We added a vortex tunnel. We added a multi-image media show
that loops Michael Jackson’s Thriller. We’ve added the ghost of Elvis. We added
a little laser light show. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Does anything jump out at you? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Nobody touches you. People go into a haunted attraction and
that’s the first thing they are paranoid about. They‘ll ask – will anything
touch me? Are there any clowns in there? To be afraid of clowns is a pretty
fashionable thing these days. Fifteen years ago – everybody loved clowns! Now,
every other person is afraid of them. We tell people: “Nothing will touch you.
They’re all dead!" </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I have a college buddy who is absolutely terrified by them!
So, what came after the </b><b>Haunted</b><b>
</b><b>Mansion</b><b>?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Torture Museum.
There was a guy in there. Great creative guy. Made all the torture items in
there, but didn’t really know how to promote. But I was like – hey, this has
got possibilities. So I bought that. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How many years ago was this?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Haunted Mansion
was five or six years ago. Torture Museum
I’ve probably had for four years. Then after that I got the Krazy Mirror Maze
going. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>If I remember correctly, wasn’t that a gift shop before?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It was a gift shop. We had a few tenants in there, but there
was turnover, and we got stuck without a tenant.</i></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Krazy Mirror Maze was the first of your attractions
that you developed yourself. Where did you get the idea for it?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I got the idea for this from an old Charlie Chaplin movie
called Mirror Maze. That was the inspiration for it. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I bet you get kids in there that are running around and
smack themselves mirrors all the time.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>They’ll go bang! Right into the mirrors. I buy ice packs by
the dozen! (laughs) We give them to the kids when they do. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Did you build the Mirror Maze yourself?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We had somebody do it, but this concept is as old as the
hills. Ripley’s has mirror mazes in many cities. I figured I had a chance to
get in here and get established before Ripley’s came in. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How many mirrors do you have in here total?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Probably about two hundred. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How big is the building?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It’s only probably 1200 square feet. It’s very small. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It looks a lot bigger with all these mirrors in here,
that’s for sure. How has the reception been to you bringing a mirror maze to
the Dells, has it gotten a good reaction from people?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>You know, when you have an attraction. Something like this.
When you take somebody’s seven dollars and ninety-nine cents – you want to make
sure they get their money's worth. You will not be successful if they walk out
saying – oh that’s a rip-off. When I’m in the attraction, and my wife’s in the
attraction, we listen for feedback. Ninety-nine percent of the people are
happy. More than happy. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s your favorite aspect of owning an attraction?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My favorite aspect is the joy of owning a well-oiled
machine. You got everything clicking, it’s Saturday in the Dells, people are
here, and you collect the money! (laughs). I think that’s the biggest payoff
for a business – the joy of a well-oiled machine. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Not too much stress?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>There’s always stress. There’s always pressure. The hardest
thing, like for the people that fail in the Dells, is that they’ll start their
business, they’ll throw the doors open, and they’ll expect people to just throw
money at them. It’s not that easy.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the hardest thing about owning an attraction? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The hardest thing in the Dells is doing the hours. You got
to do the hours. Twelve, fourteen hours a day. You got to do the hours. That said,
very few people when they go to work in the morning, enjoy what they do. I love
what I do. It’s a hobby, it’s a business, it’s a business, it’s a hobby. Half
the fun though is just building them. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How do you go about looking for your next idea?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We go to the big trade show in Orlando (the International
Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo). Everybody goes there
looking for the spark. It’s funny at the trade show you’ll see Tom Diehl and
his crew going this way, and then Laskaris and his group will be going this
way, and then Wally will be going that way. Everybody’s looking. Everybody’s
searching for the next big thing. It’s the biggest amusement trade show in the
world. We go there every year and spend a week there. Spend three or four days
on the tradeshow floor, then go to Disney, see what everyone else is doing. I
get ideas that way. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you do a lot of promotion of your attractions?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My promotion is my location, because our attractions are not
destination oriented. You’re just rambling down the street, see it, and say –
hey look at that! No advertising at all. And with no advertising, you can
reflect that in your price. All my attractions are like three or four dollars
cheaper than other people. Then Ripley’s, then the upside down house, stuff
like that. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So you are out to grab the attention of people that are
just out shopping on the strip?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Yeah, attractions are a great thing because at home people
can go buy your hats and your t-shirts in a mall, but you can’t buy an
attraction at a mall. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Speaking of malls, they sometimes have arcades, but you
don’t usually find them with some of the classic stuff you have at Wally World.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>This is a real arcade – we got something in here for twenty
five cents, we got something for a dollar. I feel real arcades should have a
gumball machine, should have a fortune teller, should have a punching machine,
you get what I’m saying? Something for everyone. You don’t have to have the
hottest, latest, greatest, but you have to have something for everyone.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s some of the more memorable or funny things that
has happened here?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So many things. We caught a little kid once. He put a piece
of scotch tape on a dollar bill, and thought he was going to stick it in the
changer. Stick it in and pull it out and keep getting quarters. So instead, the
machine sucked up the dollar. His mother came up to me with him and said –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my son lost a dollar bill. Whenever you have
something like that happen, you go open up the machine, because it’s usually a
“water park dollar” – one that’s soaking wet. So, I open up the machine and I
find a dollar bill with a nice piece of scotch tape on it. I said to the boy,
tell you mother what you did, but his mother was gone! (laughs) So, the mother
had to be in on it. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We also have a giant gumball machine. On the machine it
says: “Winner gumball wins ten dollars” – people are like, what’s a winner
gumball? A winner gumball is a gumball that says winner! (laughs)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well Wally, I know you’re busy so I’ll let you get back
to work. Thanks for showing me around and letting me visit your attractions. I
look forward to seeing what you come up with next.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>INTERVIEW WITH
HAUNTED MANSION EMPLOYEE</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">DON ZAMZOW</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How long have you been working at the </b><b>Haunted</b><b>
</b><b>Mansion</b><b> Don?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">DON ZAMZOW: <i>Oh, with this and the other owner, probably close to ten
years. I retired from the telephone company about seventeen years ago where I
worked for almost forty years. So, this is just a little summer job. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s your favorite part about working here?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Just getting to sit here and talk to a big variety of people
every day. For me it’s a fun type thing, because you get to talk to different
people all day long. When you’re used to dealing with people all your life it’s
hard to get away from that, but I guess it just gives me something to do. Like
all the old people that have summer jobs now, you got to have something to do –
you just can’t sit around and die! (laughs) </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you find often that kids won’t go in due to being
scared?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>With kids, I usually tell the parents, just take them down
the first hallway and see if they can handle it, because otherwise there are no
refunds. But you wouldn't believe, there are often many little kids that will just go and march right in. That said, if the parents try to drag them in,
they’ll dig right in and just start screaming. I've seen and old man drag them
in screaming, and they were screaming all the way out. There’s really no sense
in doing that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>though because they’re
going to be looking the closet every night to see what the hell is in there.
You know how that goes. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What about older kids or adults, are they ever too scared
to go in? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I had a boy in here yesterday, he had to be in his twenties.
His dad left and he just stood there. I said what are you waiting for, you can
go in. And he said – well I’m scared. Give me a break! (laughs) But some people
will ask if there are any strobe lights, because some people get seizures from
them, so they can’t go in. Another thing is that some people don’t like clowns
– they just won’t go in. They’re terrified!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well Don, I’m going to go in and see if I can handle it
myself. Thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions.</b></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-80103426255876454772013-09-04T12:24:00.003-07:002013-09-21T13:12:10.735-07:00Wally World Arcade, Krazy Mirror Maze, Shootin' Gallery, Haunted Mansion & Torture Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">COMING SOON!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuHfsVhRg96oci_XgUl0pjJHCZMKNZ1x-orK1XSA6Q8dSrLcR7Il2HSjwB2Kgvn10BJha1sdI9THP8bE16tVnE-at-LxWyBwLT8W0uPCIa-izcjy8ptin7VYA7ERnc4_wlYIninAE0Fk/s1600/WALLY+WORLD+ALL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuHfsVhRg96oci_XgUl0pjJHCZMKNZ1x-orK1XSA6Q8dSrLcR7Il2HSjwB2Kgvn10BJha1sdI9THP8bE16tVnE-at-LxWyBwLT8W0uPCIa-izcjy8ptin7VYA7ERnc4_wlYIninAE0Fk/s320/WALLY+WORLD+ALL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6Z8_A-2B7DQ6QXC-oybun966BVP76KR2MdXAHk1mX96liTkn0sogm8tWN-SOGIUaKRat5ZcvMTBHS-CbBOF8mkxHIcax23geu84W7P4sV4dRblL5TwF9-VsUE8LJel3KA3hk1sBPcPU/s1600/IMG_4802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6Z8_A-2B7DQ6QXC-oybun966BVP76KR2MdXAHk1mX96liTkn0sogm8tWN-SOGIUaKRat5ZcvMTBHS-CbBOF8mkxHIcax23geu84W7P4sV4dRblL5TwF9-VsUE8LJel3KA3hk1sBPcPU/s200/IMG_4802.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FSgZb0_guXGiPh65zHOfgJ5G2r4HvlQnyqzOakhiZtgvTeEdk4Z6eLNY3v1bFaC8qjoIFpNWK9ecil7ExjfCsaoYfepzTZ0rR2PUFfMJC4hfeDMY6m_EN87RyIV6cOzwcx2EKi1QaE0/s1600/IMG_4805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSv0REVzDPBF12z__EVmwcjxlllH-wHjjQNkYVgumqCnmmg4qwxsniXEFNrhou890jc5x6eW7KqLTB_9yPF9B3xJ9SmDRk-u1UezLjXBQk6c83c944mhADZiuBzt1XVyyfhNzmY8Y1Y6s/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-13972575045739102482013-09-04T11:30:00.001-07:002013-12-02T19:54:43.586-08:00DELLS BUCKET LIST #24 - Getting ink at Point Blank Tattoo & Body Piercing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->Having a needle penetrate my body between 50 and 3000 times
per minute is not something I let happen to me often, but for my latest Dells
Bucket List behind-the-scenes adventure, the alluring draw of getting ink
permanently imbedded into my skin was just too much to resist.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Point Blank Tattoo and Body Piercing studio is located on
the strip in downtown Wisconsin Dells, and has been giving both tourists and
locals alike beautiful custom works of art on their bodies since 1997.
Recently, I got to spend time hanging out with the Point Blank artists who
taught me about the tattoo process, and ended up giving me some new skin art of
my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Manager Eddie B. and fellow artists Vic and “Q” weren’t
willing to share their full names for reasons they kept to themselves, but they
did impart some of the knowledge of the art of tattooing that they’ve acquired
over the years. While none of them are originally from the area, they now call
the Dells home, with their love of the art form bringing them together at the
cities only tattoo studio.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hozvwwzD6lr5vRy1UBwGu-lQXiD1H_ZGzsEMFoJagtaBqZ4Le9yEl1qtzpG9cHSCO-rIZSoYxIwYMr26w3Iv8IzgsYIKq1zzci3-_npHgZjYNn9k5mQbGn0RRehoVleI_IW2cCQqu_s/s1600/%25232+Eddie+Vic+and+Q.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hozvwwzD6lr5vRy1UBwGu-lQXiD1H_ZGzsEMFoJagtaBqZ4Le9yEl1qtzpG9cHSCO-rIZSoYxIwYMr26w3Iv8IzgsYIKq1zzci3-_npHgZjYNn9k5mQbGn0RRehoVleI_IW2cCQqu_s/s200/%25232+Eddie+Vic+and+Q.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tattooing has been practiced for centuries in many cultures,
offering those that can handle a bit of pain a chance to artistically express
themselves virtually anywhere on the body. While the more popular spots are
generally arms, legs, chest, and back, having applied tattoos on literally
thousands of people, Vic told me that the guys have pretty much seen it all: “Eddie
tattooed a face before, but you can tattoo just about anywhere. Inside the
mouth and stuff like that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While occasionally they’ll get someone that passes out from
the pain, requiring some sugar and time in front of a fan to revive them, most
usually take the rapidly driving of a needle in and out of the skin in stride.
That said, I had to ask who generally handles the pain better, guys or girls.
Vic told me: “Girls by far, for sure.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having gotten ink a couple times before, the first being of
a cartoon character at the age of seventeen, which I’ve documented the
booze-influenced experience in my book Santa’s Village Gone Wild, I felt the time
was right to get another. Seeing the many trophies and blue ribbons around the
studio of these award winning artists immediately took away any trepidation I
had of getting my third.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s-a1zpjJnRLTqWc6Rl8T6jB_4Xdnzhlc3GMoTFuVIy8MKJ1_ogcWVSk4u-LxV8yEQdpjscCpLWENeQUebG5DYxIlKlw0pHV5LoaGbTwal5lhRuW0j1-QEAM17yDGsHrxRsoIvgEIsv8/s1600/%25235+trophies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s-a1zpjJnRLTqWc6Rl8T6jB_4Xdnzhlc3GMoTFuVIy8MKJ1_ogcWVSk4u-LxV8yEQdpjscCpLWENeQUebG5DYxIlKlw0pHV5LoaGbTwal5lhRuW0j1-QEAM17yDGsHrxRsoIvgEIsv8/s200/%25235+trophies.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided to go with my Axcreations company logo, a
stylistic black and blue “AX” which was also my nickname in college, given to
me from the often use of my father’s American Express card during late night
excursions to Denny’s to satisfy the munchies for me and whoever drove.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After filling out a release form which asks whether you have
any illnesses that can be transmitted by blood or are taking any medications
that would prohibit someone from getting a tattoo, I sat down on a comfortable
reclining chair similar to what you would find at a dentist office. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watching “Q” as he prepared his tattoo machine, which
earlier I was immediately corrected by Vic when I mistakenly called it a gun: “Guns
to a tattoo artist are offensive.” Or more bluntly put by Eddie: “Guns kill
people!” I asked what went into making everything sterile. Eddie told me that
they use an autoclave, similar to what you would find in a hospital: “It puts
it under fifteen to twenty pounds of barometric pressure at 240 degrees for
forty minutes. Same things surgeons would use.” </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIvRO1BQziSuII6H-6UOIO4JXtMLovIOPKw3oUEpM956aR6qVik9rGJhUxVaRUwdJa9y3pNDcfMc4S-0A89AyesnIq8L78D16yQM5ZHTXBoL4fQYtkcO1F0T-Tjifo_AxYKQzY_zDJ1M/s1600/%25233+Q+applying+the+tattoo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIvRO1BQziSuII6H-6UOIO4JXtMLovIOPKw3oUEpM956aR6qVik9rGJhUxVaRUwdJa9y3pNDcfMc4S-0A89AyesnIq8L78D16yQM5ZHTXBoL4fQYtkcO1F0T-Tjifo_AxYKQzY_zDJ1M/s200/%25233+Q+applying+the+tattoo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Comforted by the cleanliness of the tools, I threw my leg up
onto a pedestal, and watched as “Q” put on gloves, shaved the hair from my
ankle, and then wiped it down with a disinfectant. Moments later, his foot hit
a pedal like those used on a sewing machine, and the needle came to life
penetrating my skin about a millimeter deep, depositing a drop of insoluble ink
into the skin with each slightly painful puncture. Roughly fifteen minutes
later, I had permanent reminder of my college years, as well as for the company
I hope to grow into a successful lifelong business. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6iCLazWqoqTteN0ghkyIbibqpBFpEZ4VcV1tT6fWCOeSDY72Z2l0gTqAOz8ofyV4cJrha2qYmMicZLcHCOs6iOMqPJiTe4ZXPIF-Tgnxhj0CQFzrcXi-gyLIAmf8kaxYUND82WCR3SQ/s1600/%25234+Axcreations+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6iCLazWqoqTteN0ghkyIbibqpBFpEZ4VcV1tT6fWCOeSDY72Z2l0gTqAOz8ofyV4cJrha2qYmMicZLcHCOs6iOMqPJiTe4ZXPIF-Tgnxhj0CQFzrcXi-gyLIAmf8kaxYUND82WCR3SQ/s200/%25234+Axcreations+logo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Before leaving, I asked Vic what was his favorite part of
working in a tourist town tattoo studio. He said: “I guess I just like meeting
all the people. You get a lot of people coming in and out of here, but really
it’s just something I like to do. I enjoy what I do, and these guys enjoy their
art. Probably the nicest thing is seeing them walk out of here happy.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more information about getting your own work done at
Point Blank Tattoo and Body Piercing, visit their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Point-Blank-Tattoo-and-Body-Piercing/106923509335231" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>, drop by the shop located at 419
Broadway, or just call 608-253-3055</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more pictures of my visit to Point Blank Tattoo and Body Piercing visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.578426488881705.1073741831.177829635608061&type=3" target="_blank">Facebbok Page here</a>. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIk4wadkPAlYUpit3xxyF5ZayLD-oLs9d8tUjfdmfWq_zyJ8qxFFeNJVl7Flbaq1SkrwXLOAHD_xX0_c5Oi0KTic8jnZUS0N6QP7XHIaL7yj77FBwTE7zrSmi-9u6pTF-qPvBfOAYItM/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fySn3yk4r4hUkiCOdX2gRCplnVDdrYfw6470NdDyeS3sSisBly3LHgyQgJyjQERUyQdIJvisc_Ci2GXVmq7YZKsBQtitC20g2n2MFEnDwzDnlJ2s9mp-WPe9v-YiAQ5CnhbKniX7Xdk/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fySn3yk4r4hUkiCOdX2gRCplnVDdrYfw6470NdDyeS3sSisBly3LHgyQgJyjQERUyQdIJvisc_Ci2GXVmq7YZKsBQtitC20g2n2MFEnDwzDnlJ2s9mp-WPe9v-YiAQ5CnhbKniX7Xdk/s200/IMG_0093.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz0Z7VpqAF9qxUlkpG9hGda3DES8ui_4NcjWeyKbZH35sHNoppNaBAKFLhmRiFj31c4B5q6z2UaQ5eErO5aFd62_EWaN86Rt39ShmPR7xty5YdLKupoKjXUOyl9HVO8GFBTZIbjubnMU/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz0Z7VpqAF9qxUlkpG9hGda3DES8ui_4NcjWeyKbZH35sHNoppNaBAKFLhmRiFj31c4B5q6z2UaQ5eErO5aFd62_EWaN86Rt39ShmPR7xty5YdLKupoKjXUOyl9HVO8GFBTZIbjubnMU/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-72026806565236059202013-09-04T10:55:00.001-07:002013-12-02T19:57:46.921-08:00Interview with Point Blank Tattoo and Body Piercing artists - Eddie B., Vic, & "Q" <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Point Blank Tattoo and Body Piercing, located in downtown
Wisconsin Dells, is a custom tattoo shop that has been giving both tourists and
locals alike beautiful works of art on their bodies since 1997. Recently, I got
to spend time learning about the shop, as well as the tattoo process, from
manager Eddie B. and fellow artists, Vic and “Q”.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k4x0xWvnaKD2z9OHWRL6jGZJShroYBcmYk5_bSmsM9GVa1CXP-1kkiPyIJFk0C9EhVHu-Fq68jTMS96syEXMyFhdEsOTD6j2oPKeSCbIkXhgRdqdku1pcCkxt7g3oKpm7RRcSp8q-po/s1600/%232+Eddie+Vic+and+Q.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k4x0xWvnaKD2z9OHWRL6jGZJShroYBcmYk5_bSmsM9GVa1CXP-1kkiPyIJFk0C9EhVHu-Fq68jTMS96syEXMyFhdEsOTD6j2oPKeSCbIkXhgRdqdku1pcCkxt7g3oKpm7RRcSp8q-po/s320/%232+Eddie+Vic+and+Q.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, are you guys originally from the Dells?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>No, down by Milwaukee.
Moved up here about fifteen years ago. </i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What brought you here?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Milwaukee.
(laughs)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How about you Q?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>From Milwaukee.
Been here about four years. I basically came up as a guest artist for the
summer and just liked it here. Decided to stick around. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How long have you been doing tattoos for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>Over twelve years.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What about you Vic, where are you originally from?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>I’m originally from Brooklyn,
NY.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What made you come out here?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Probably work. My brother’s wife’s family was from Milwaukee,
but he had an uncle that was from Baraboo. One time I came up to visit him and
he was working at the casino when they were just starting to expand it, and he
was like, why don’t you try out for a blackjack dealer? So I came out, tried it
out, and needless to say I got a job as a blackjack dealer. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So what made you go from dealing cards to working in a
tattoo shop?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>The guy that owned the shop, Rob, one of the partners,
he used to sit at my table all the time and gamble. So he said one day - I’m
tired you of taking all my money, why don’t you come make me some. (laughs)</i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Were you doing art before then?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Nope, I did an apprenticeship here.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>When did you start working at the shop Eddie?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>2003. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And how long have you been doing tattoo artistry for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Since about 2003.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How old are you?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Forty-two.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, what made you get into tattooing so late in life?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>It’s just really something I always wanted to do. I
tried to get into it when I was younger, but it just never panned out, you
know, so I had to get a real job. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Were you doing art before that?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>I did a lot of airbrushing and painting and stuff.
Mostly I just built houses. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How did you learn the art of tattooing?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Apprenticeship. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Where did you do that at?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Here. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What did that entail?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: A<i>h, just a lot of drawing. A lot of learning
techniques and equipment. Watching a lot of guys doing things and finding out
the reason why. </i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What was your first tattoo you did?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>A clover.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And how did it turn out?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Great! It looks great today. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What were you feeling when you did that. Were you
nervous? Excited?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Yeah, I was a little nervous, but I had a great
crew around me that were teaching me what to do, what not to do, so it went
really well. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How long has Point Blank Tattoo been in the Dells for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC:<i> I think it was 1997, so about sixteen years now.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the story behind the name?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>There is a Point Blank Tattoo One in North
Carolina; this is Point Blank Tattoo Two. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Same owner?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Same owner. Point Blank Tattoo One was in Hendersonville,
NC.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>He had a partner that helped him open this one, and
then he went on his way. Moved to Arizona
and his partner kept this place. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How many tattoos do you think you’ve done over the years?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>10,000 </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wow, really?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Got to be close. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How about you Q?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>Thousands for sure. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s your favorite? Do you have one that stands out of
all you have done?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Not in particular. Japanese style is fun. I like
doing that and photorealism. I don’t have one particular one that I’ve done
that I thought was the best though. </i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you guys have any influences? Like is there a certain
famous artist you really dig?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>All tattoo artists are influenced my other artists. We
like to do a lot of traditional work, so a lot of work from some of the older,
traditional artists. Sailor Jerry . . . </i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Dave Gibson. Mike Malloy. A lot of those older
traditional artists like that. Just because they took so much pride in what
they do, even way back then. They didn’t use what these guys use today.
Obviously there are a lot of newer machines that came out like rotaries,
pneumatics and stuff like that. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What do you guys use?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Just a power supply, electric, and that’s what they use
to use back then, you know. The only thing different back then is that they
didn’t use no gloves to tattoo you. (laughs) You had to be drunk, know what I
mean. </i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well, walk me through the process a bit. What happens if
I come in here wanting to get a tattoo?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Well, if you walk in, unless you know exactly what you’re
looking for, we’ll help you whether looking it up online or drawing it for you.
We’ll draw it up, show it to you, and make sure it’s to your liking obviously.
If you agree with it, we’ll have you sign a release form we have up front which
basically just has your information. Your name, any medical conditions you
might have . . . </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Stuff in there so that you can’t sue the place?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Correct, if you sign that you can’t sue us for
shit. And that’s the way it is. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Because we ask people, it has on there, like do you
have HIV, Hepatitis, or something like that. Now, how many people are going to
be honest with you? Probably not much. Even though we treat everyone like they
have something anyway. We do ask you for medications, obviously someone with
blood thinners or something like that we can’t do work on you, but that’s
pretty much it. Once you fill out the release form, they pay obviously,
whatever the price is, and then we get you in and get your tattoo. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How much does it cost? Obviously it depends on what’s
being done, but what’s the price range?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>We have a minimum of sixty dollars. Actually there are
two minimums; there is a minimum for the hands, feet, and neck, because they
are harder spots to work in. Feet and hands don’t hold up as well, so it’s more
likely that you’ll have to come in and get it touched up, you know. That we don’t
charge for, but things start in the $60-$75 range. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the most expensive stuff? Like if someone were to
get a full back done.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>A back with a lot of detail can be a few thousand. It’s
usually hourly for big pieces. We charge about $125 per hour and huge tattoos
can sometime be 100 hours or more, so it can get pricy. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In general, do most people just come in and pick
something off the walls?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Not, anymore. They usually just have something on
their phone. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>They used to, maybe when we first opened up the shop,
for the first few years. But now they just come with their phones. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I noticed the sign that says the cops will be called if
you take any pictures of the artwork on the wall. What’s the reason for that?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>A lot of this is from artists that have been through
here, guest artists. A lot of stuff that we’ve done is on the walls. So
basically, we don’t want people to take photos and then bring it somewhere
else. If they want to get it done, they get it done here. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, after they decide on a tattoo and it’s drawn out to
their liking, what’s next?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>We place it on you with a stencil, unless you have
something that we have to draw on you or something like that.</i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>With marker?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Yeah, like a sharpie or something, but usually the
stencil transfers the outline onto your skin. Then you clean and shave the
skin.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What do you clean it with, alcohol?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC:<i> No, we use Dr. Brown’s soap, or Green soap, which is an
anesthetic. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Then you start just start tattooing with the guns?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>The machines! The machines! Guns to a tattoo artist are
offensive . . . </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Guns kill people!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Oh, I’m sorry. With the name Point Blank I just assumed . . . </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Machines just tattoo you man. (laughs)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>But yeah, you use a foot switch to power the machine,
which moves the needle up and down. Then just dip the tip in the ink, and then
tattoo it. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Speaking of needles, tell me a little about those and how
you disinfect everything.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>They’re surgical steel, doctor’s grade. After use they
sit in ultrasonics, and once they get done, they get scrubbed, packaged, and
then put it in the autoclave.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What does the autoclave do?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Sterilizes it. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>It puts it under fifteen to twenty pounds of
barometric pressure at 240 degrees for forty minutes. Same things surgeons
would use.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Hospitals all use these. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Yep, the exact same stuff. That’s why people think
sterilizing things, jewelry at home with alcohol or anything like that, that
will never kill everything. It doesn’t kill blood-borne pathogens or anything
like that. Like Hepatitis or AIDS or what have you. The only way you are going
to achieve that is by using one of these. </i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I’m assuming you guys also use this for the body piercing
tools. What are some of the things you use?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: B<i>asically we use is forceps, spreaders, pliers . . . </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Who does most of the piercing?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Vic does the piercing – he’s super good. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the most popular piercing these days?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Probably nose piercing. Nose and belly buttons I guess.
</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Where’s the most unusual place you’ve guys done. I’m
guessing genitals?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Yeah, but we don’t do guy piercing of those here, just
girls. We’ve done quite a few of them.</i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What about tattooing, any weird parts of the body?
Eyelids or something?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Eddie tattooed a face before, but you can tattoo just
about anywhere. Inside the mouth and stuff like that.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the most painful spot on the body to get a tat?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>I guess everyone is a little different, you know what I
mean? Some people say the ribs, some people say the foot. A lot of people think
that bony areas are a lot more painful than fatty areas, but I don’t think it’s
true. I think, just personally for me, I think the kidney area. It’s fatty back
there, but to me that hurt like hell!</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>I think it has more to do with the artist then the
person.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Exactly. Some artists are light handed, some a heavy
handed and just grind on you. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>You guys have any unusual experiences of people reacting
while getting a tat?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Just people passing out I guess. From the pain.
Every once in a while.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What do you have to do in those situations? Fan them off?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Yeah, just give them a soda. Sit them down in front
of a fan. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>We’ll give them a pack of sugar or a soda. Any kind of
sugar will bounce them back. It’s just they work themselves up thinking it’s
going to hurt so bad.</i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Who deals with the pain better, guys or girls?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: G<i>irls by far, for sure. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Anything you won’t tattoo?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>Well, we generally won’t do gang signs and things like
that, or racist stuff. Anything that would reflect badly on the shop. We won’t
tattoo drunk people.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Have you done any funny cover-ups?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>Nothing that really stands out. Usually names of
ex-wives, ex-girlfriends, or stuff like that.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you have a dream tattoo that you want to do?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>I think what I would like to do is a full body suit, one
tattoo that actually covers the whole body, as opposed to pieces, pieced
together. Just one tattoo. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Someone comes in with just a blank canvas and you cover
him completely up?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>Yeah, that would be cool. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What are some of stuff that is “out” these days? Like I
heard the tribal stuff is a thing of the past.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Yeah, tribal. In the tattoo industry these days, tribal
is like, nobody wants to do that shit no more. That shit is like a nineties
thing, you know. In the nineties, that thing was off the chain, everybody loved
that tribal! But you still got people that come in and want the shit. (laughs)
I don’t know, I guess people think it makes them look tough. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Anything else like that which tattoo artists now laugh
about?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Infinity symbols. Everybody wants an infinity symbol
these days. Mostly women. Girls with infinity symbols and guys with tribal,
that’s basically it. It was stars and hearts for a while.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What about Chinese lettering? I heard sometimes you might
not be getting what you think it means.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Q: <i>We usually double check with a dictionary, English to
Japanese or English to Chinese. We also get a lot of kids that come in here
from China or Japan, and we double check with them to make sure we got the
correct meanings. (laughs)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the funniest tattoo someone’s asked you for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>If it ain’t fatnin’ –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it ain’t hapnin’!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Awesome, yeah. He’s got it in his portfolio actually.
It’s a pin-up chick, hugging a drumstick. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Pin-up chick? Maybe after a few kids!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Anything funny ever happen here at the shop?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>I don’t know man; there is so many funny things that go
on around here. Like when that girl farted in your face! (laughs)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>You don’t need to be putting that shit in the
newspaper man, come-on!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I won’t mention it in paper, but for my website I can put
whatever.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Thanks, I appreciate it. </i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, what type of tattoo were you giving her at the time?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Oh no man, no no…not going there. </i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Well, Q had a girl that farted once. She was getting a
tattoo on her lower back. I don’t know if she was just relaxed too much, but
she let that thing rip boy! I was walking by; Q looks at me all funny. I heard
it, but I didn’t want to make her feel bad so I just kept walking – but I came
back here and started laughing. Q came back and said: Man, she shit on my
chair! (laughs) </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Anything you guys want to mention before we wrap this
thing up?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>Well I guess, I heard the other day that you’re not
supposed to get a tattoo in a tourist area because most tattoos in tourist
areas suck. They figure after they make it, they won’t see you no more. You
know what I mean? We just had a couple come in the other day saying they were
told not to even come in here because of stuff like that . . . </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>But then they’ll see our portfolios, find out who
we are, and they are more than impressed. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>We are open year round, you know what I mean, so . . . </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Plus you guys have been around for a while.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Yep, plus Q and I are both award winning artists. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Like in magazines and at conventions?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>Yeah, we’ve been in magazines, both of us, as you
can see all the trophies up here at the front counter. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>You got a lot of them.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">EDDIE B: <i>The glass one there is Best of Show – which was won
up in Minneapolis. I won that for a back piece off an eagle and an American
flag, with the guys raising it. The famous World War II Raising the Flag on Iwo
Jima image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, what is your favorite part of the job?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">VIC: <i>I guess I just like meeting all the people. You get a
lot of people coming in and out of here, but really it’s just something I like
to do. I enjoy what I do, and these guys enjoy their art. Probably the nicest
thing is seeing them walk out of here happy.</i></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;">Also, there are a lot of International students that work
here in town, and we were just talking about this the other day. We’ve tattooed
people from all over. We’ll sit back and think about it – I pretty much got
tattoos everywhere. Internationally. Tattoos all over Europe, you know what I
mean. It’s a pretty cool feeling.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For more information about Point Blank Tattoo and Body
Piercing visit their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Point-Blank-Tattoo-and-Body-Piercing/106923509335231" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>: or call 608-253-3055</b></div>
Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-63041551857053097192013-08-15T15:51:00.000-07:002013-09-04T10:26:10.610-07:00Point Blank Tattoo & Body Piercing <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">COMING SOON!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLdtHB5ChFEZok1uwjkk2QdKxRhtuKCZZLrBfttfqZvz6ZIAyXuYwTx0rurkv6luaipvz8y8TZYwT0dSKpMi405Z3q8991CN2Kcx_xFCK-o4qf83EUY1LokvOphcHUHivgTGzDCjIGkM/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLdtHB5ChFEZok1uwjkk2QdKxRhtuKCZZLrBfttfqZvz6ZIAyXuYwTx0rurkv6luaipvz8y8TZYwT0dSKpMi405Z3q8991CN2Kcx_xFCK-o4qf83EUY1LokvOphcHUHivgTGzDCjIGkM/s320/IMG_4662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAIFN37boTLlsbXFKcYHyxsKNxyRnp-C0rXJdHNdC9Qqiu_6EwV4-COZQCNl8_0KZVfB2PwOPObFpz2Fr1lVgmuQPKW3UkskZxL6OS190CQckVfuDyslgAUz7hQzBDRYOtluI7vEeSPM/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAIFN37boTLlsbXFKcYHyxsKNxyRnp-C0rXJdHNdC9Qqiu_6EwV4-COZQCNl8_0KZVfB2PwOPObFpz2Fr1lVgmuQPKW3UkskZxL6OS190CQckVfuDyslgAUz7hQzBDRYOtluI7vEeSPM/s200/IMG_4654.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-90550990741587103802013-08-15T12:52:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:46:27.433-08:00DELLS BUCKET LIST #23 - Going behind-the-scenes of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Recently, I had the
opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes tour of a place I’ve driven by numerous
times, but never actually ventured into. While this was partly due to being
someone that only goes camping once in a blue moon, the fact that it’s named
after a cartoon character made me think it was strictly for families with small
children. As it turns out, there’s a lot more things to do at this campground
then stuff just for kids.</span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Yogi Bear’s Jellystone
Park™ Camp-Resort has been a Wisconsin Dells mainstay for over forty years.
Located off of Interstate 90/94 on sixty acres, there are 250 campsites, fifty
rental units, and room for group camping for over 1000 people. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Owner Brent Gasser, who
gave me a personal guided tour of this cartoon Jellystone Park™ come to life,
is a third generation Dells resident. In 1971, Brent’s parents were contacted
by a franchise company looking to purchase the vacant land to build Yogi Bear’s
Jellystone Park™, which was a brand new franchise concept by Columbia Screen
Gems, now known as Warner Brothers. Instead of selling the land, his parents
decided to build the property into their own resort, becoming a franchisee by
paying a licensing fee. It became the third of now eighty Jellystone Parks™ in
the United States and Canada. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0BrsuhTSObhgpIPRR9wNDIWdFaiwnwbQAM8MNaGhdj2_jlDm1B4nQV5PEpFBei7Bsny1jDXxEkCcv6wxF6mE96Rb0xPr6kCKWig8stKlps-wmx6BxRgNvxAgOgsRQMSpimwGzrO43X4/s1600/%232+chris+and+yogi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0BrsuhTSObhgpIPRR9wNDIWdFaiwnwbQAM8MNaGhdj2_jlDm1B4nQV5PEpFBei7Bsny1jDXxEkCcv6wxF6mE96Rb0xPr6kCKWig8stKlps-wmx6BxRgNvxAgOgsRQMSpimwGzrO43X4/s200/%232+chris+and+yogi.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While on a tour of the
vast property by means of a golf cart, Brent told me: “My mother was a great
visionary, in which she understood what mothers were looking for, and more
specifically, what she wanted for families. My dad was the construction
engineer, so they created all this. At the time there were zero plans for
building a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™, because there only had been two built.
So they looked at the one in Sturgeon Bay, they looked at the one in Orlando,
and then figured it all out themselves.” </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Before becoming a forest
campground resort, the property was farmland farmed long ago by his
grandfather. I learned that Brent’s parents had a landscape architect
transplant 3000 trees to the property to make a forest. He told me: “When we
built the park, there weren’t any trees. Everyone said you are crazy building a
campground on the interstate with no trees.” Looking around at the park forty
years later, you would never know that the heavily wooded area was once bare.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Riding around the sixty
acres on asphalt pathways, I got to see the various camping and lodging options
that the park offers – everything from standard sites to set up your own tent,
to eight person chalets that offer many of the comforts of home. Unique to the
park is also the theme sites, where characterization of Yogi Bear™, Boo Boo™,
Cindy Bear™, and Ranger Smith™ can be found. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-BumZrYgmoF39-I5UnUhDwOqEIEH5m1UutRRvMZBfogdlMUCMTCLB9owYqpQ6keIED4fXK4iOwSHM9qN2dZMryizm6PRBFhNLrGcATuUfln3dwa_cpTTVzDdOol3CikXy15W_1IIgdk/s1600/cabins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-BumZrYgmoF39-I5UnUhDwOqEIEH5m1UutRRvMZBfogdlMUCMTCLB9owYqpQ6keIED4fXK4iOwSHM9qN2dZMryizm6PRBFhNLrGcATuUfln3dwa_cpTTVzDdOol3CikXy15W_1IIgdk/s200/cabins.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The resort has plenty of
amenities for both young and old alike. There’s a mini-golf course that can be
played day or night, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, a basketball court,
and sand volleyball. There are also two arcades, an outdoor movie theater,
hayrides, as well as the opportunity to explore beautiful Mirror Lake with
paddleboats, canoes, and rowboats. Brent mentioned that since they are located
in The Waterpark Capital of the World, in 2005 it was a no-brainer to add a
water playground, which has twenty-five water features, a structure with four
water slides, an activity pool with a spiral slide twenty-five feet high, and
also a hot tub. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Besides all these ways to
keep entertained, one of the things that I found really interesting was that
they have twenty weeks of special themed events. For instance, the day of my
visit was the start of their Hawaiian Paradise week. Besides the property being
decorated with Hawaiian decor, there was going to be a Saturday night pool
party with Hawaiian dancers, fire and knife juggling, singing, and music. Other
weekly events include birthday celebrations for each character, as well as
Christmas, Halloween, Mardi Grai, and Caribbean themed events, among
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7NCsDetrfhR0ULmsJprs_V-oXPkcszkroL0yoVhOujC3qkslYekTR-HhnqCQayUgFtEqDGL21DRZyvPez0K0HgWRiRXNO4L3xg0HpaQaAEITHAgfhnznLRZxkwacjsrAF-X4sYC1GTM/s1600/%233+yogi+water+playground.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7NCsDetrfhR0ULmsJprs_V-oXPkcszkroL0yoVhOujC3qkslYekTR-HhnqCQayUgFtEqDGL21DRZyvPez0K0HgWRiRXNO4L3xg0HpaQaAEITHAgfhnznLRZxkwacjsrAF-X4sYC1GTM/s200/%233+yogi+water+playground.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When my tour concluded, I
expressed my pleasant surprise in learning that they offered a lot more then
just things for the little ones. He stated that this was often the case, but
over the past forty years they’ve transitioned to being a family resort, and
not just a campground. “What we do most is create lifetime memories, because
they actually camp right next to each other outdoors. It’s very common that we
have multiple family reunions that come back year after year – so it’s a great
family experience. And now, it’s always interesting to see the grandparents
with their grandchildren and to hear the stories of the grandparents coming
here as children!”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Yogi Bear’s Jellystone
Park™ Camp-Resort is open May through September and offers many unique Yogi
Bear™ themed activities such as character wake-ups, birthday parties, as well
as autograph and photo sessions. For more information visit
www.dellsjellystone.com </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">YOGI BEAR and all related
characters and elements are trademarks of and © Hanna-Barbera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> (s13) </span> </span></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For more photos of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Yogi Bear’s Jellystone
Park™ </span> visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.574205702637117.1073741830.177829635608061&type=1" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzxD6RKSQ7A3kmN7H1-5rO42vnL2bMDddZtlCTHLwwJedYHdxPVyCXpY-2u0l6vmzzDRw4eID-5iR02pyJE2nl5dTi194cNBF__nP0U1R3F2gmOx_YTeNuASTlLnMbW0gCh5koOu62R0/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzxD6RKSQ7A3kmN7H1-5rO42vnL2bMDddZtlCTHLwwJedYHdxPVyCXpY-2u0l6vmzzDRw4eID-5iR02pyJE2nl5dTi194cNBF__nP0U1R3F2gmOx_YTeNuASTlLnMbW0gCh5koOu62R0/s320/IMG_4842.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQzA4-3pO1Q2b8YPCyotuP1cVnhEYKdjqHu5074t_uKkvg9njl2yd7x5p1mP2GQ1QIVH8cv8JBUui92Gptk3GXCEILm9St2ChQOYFXtUqylSefTLC-F7Dae8r4hxGCqRO0yb3RyoA-PA/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQzA4-3pO1Q2b8YPCyotuP1cVnhEYKdjqHu5074t_uKkvg9njl2yd7x5p1mP2GQ1QIVH8cv8JBUui92Gptk3GXCEILm9St2ChQOYFXtUqylSefTLC-F7Dae8r4hxGCqRO0yb3RyoA-PA/s200/IMG_4843.JPG" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztovvnak-roGM4_UOHS-4JMItXWqXpxx-rzNlZxiFRQbRtnnt_rcvqQq5O0Pzl5GHX97k3YvuYbRvR6u6FZfEGd5YI1NzD4jTgHv7WD73_X72Entj5p_CCwHgWB1wxXHMsc9mWcA8TZQ/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></b></div>
</div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-28842737080751271232013-08-13T15:56:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:48:45.337-08:00Interview with Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort owner Brent Gasser<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--><b>Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort has been a
Wisconsin Dells mainstay for over forty years. Located off of Interstate 90/94
on sixty acres, there are 250 campsites, 50 rental units, and room for group
camping for over 1000 people. Recently, I had the chance to spend time with
owner Brent Gasser, whose family brought one of the first Jellystone Park™
campgrounds to life. </b><br />
<b> </b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEETO5p0c6PYL5E3rm_xHX9htt9Z4qsdRpklkGuLVDNtLNj2QkswqIEwYeUoPlsNMK5RilxsS0SEZ2Y4QFekczMbREojDLe4-eQysyzVXHbr-w_wpBwV2JynQwf2TUsYrlttwMbmp49Y/s1600/Brent+Gasser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEETO5p0c6PYL5E3rm_xHX9htt9Z4qsdRpklkGuLVDNtLNj2QkswqIEwYeUoPlsNMK5RilxsS0SEZ2Y4QFekczMbREojDLe4-eQysyzVXHbr-w_wpBwV2JynQwf2TUsYrlttwMbmp49Y/s200/Brent+Gasser.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tell me a little about how things all began Brent. Are
you originally from the Dells?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">BRENT GASSER<i>: I’m actually third generation from this area. My grandfather
was a farmer on this land where we’re sitting today. My father did asphalt
paving, it was a three state asphalt paving company, and then our family formed
this off of our farmland. We created the concept in 1971when the franchise
company came to us to purchase the land. They wanted to buy the land and build
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™. It was a brand new franchise concept by Columbia
Screen Gems, now known as Warner Brothers. Instead of selling the land, my
parents decided to build the property into their own resort in 1971 and became
a franchisee. There are now eighty in the United States and Canada.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>They came to you because you had the property here?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Correct. They came to us looking for land to purchase and
instead my family decided, with the disintegration of the family structure, and
with the need to have more options for families to spend time together
outdoors, they decided to build the property themselves. Manage it and own it
wholly, just paying a franchise and licensing fee.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So before then it was just a forest?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Actually it was vacant farmland. We had a landscape
architect transplant 3000 trees to this property to make a forest. When we
built the park, there weren’t any trees. Everyone said you are crazy building a
campground on the interstate with no trees, but it was a brilliant strategy
because the location couldn’t be duplicated. It took time, but look what it
looks like forty years later. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Was this the first Jellystone Park™?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>No, we were the third operation built. The franchise company
built the original one in Sturgeon Bay, WI, and the second one was in Orlando,
FL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I’m guessing you were a Yogi Bear™ fan back then?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>As a child I grew up watching Yogi Bear™ cartoons, along
with The Jetsons, The Flintstones. If you look around the office here you can
see it’s decorated with most of the cartoon artwork. Being a baby boomer, it
was a natural fit for our family, because it’s a very family friendly cartoon
character.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Speaking of family, tell me a little about yours. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>My wife, Cate, is a school teacher at the Baraboo High
School. She teaches food service there. Our oldest daughter, Katrina, is in
Minneapolis, at a production company called Bebe Bella; she just graduated from
college and has a job there. We have identical twin sons, Brennan and
Christopher that are eighteen months younger than our oldest daughter, and they
are seniors in art school in Minneapolis. Our youngest still works here in the
park, her name is Natalie, and she is in her senior year of high school.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnNRFtZMe8rBZdzY0B2FcIXnVKcGhIgo03lVgFOCCLIHR2T0IXl7K5ZZGJYIyiEaaGeqjACeSC6fvB-BHPTmPbNhv-ERrhyphenhyphenGe4bk02RVdy9VsjBKFUqg4OGmVgu6JSQWsuE-PzJU2ZpQ/s1600/%235+Brent+celebrating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnNRFtZMe8rBZdzY0B2FcIXnVKcGhIgo03lVgFOCCLIHR2T0IXl7K5ZZGJYIyiEaaGeqjACeSC6fvB-BHPTmPbNhv-ERrhyphenhyphenGe4bk02RVdy9VsjBKFUqg4OGmVgu6JSQWsuE-PzJU2ZpQ/s320/%235+Brent+celebrating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, has it always been a family run business?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It’s always been run by the family. I was thirteen when I
started working here, when we were building the park actually. I helped do some
of the construction of the park, and then throughout my high school years I
worked here every summer. I went to college at the University of Wisconsin,
Madison. Got a degree in business, minor in Psychology, and an emphasis in
Spanish. I came back here and assumed the role of the manager. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Eventually, about ten years later, purchased the property
from my parents, So, I’ve been the owner since approximately the early 80s. It
was an interesting journey to say the least. (laughs) </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I’m assuming you started off small and then expanded over
the years?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Yes, it started off with strictly camping and a small store,
and a small concession stand. Today we now have a five thousand square foot
retail store with Warner Brothers Yogi Bear licensed goods, only available at
this park. We have a water playground on site, which has twenty-five water
features, a structure with four water slides, an activity pool with a yellow
spiral slide twenty-five feet high, and also a hot tub on the property. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We created this concept, my parents and my family, so when
we built the property, we knew what we owned and we wanted it to layout to the
interstate to get maximum visibility. My mother was a great visionary, in which
she understood what mothers were looking for, and more specifically, what she
wanted for families. My dad was the construction engineer, so they created all
this. At the time there were zero plans for building a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone
Park™, because there only had been two built. So they looked at the one in
Sturgeon Bay, they looked at the one in Orlando, and then figured it all out
themselves. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>This entire park was built in sixty-three days from start to
finish, almost impossible! (laughs) It’s since been expanded. The pavilion has
been added, the bar, the gate house, the water area as I mentioned. We added
onto the store, and a zillion campsites and a zillion cabins. The original
concept is still very much like it wa</i></span>s. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tell me a little about the accommodations you offer. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Rates start as low as $25 a night for a family of four,
which is a phenomenal value. We now have six styles of camping and six styles
of lodging available for our guests. The choices would be, budget tent
campsites, water and electric hook-ups for all types of camping units, RV
campsites with 50 amp electric, water & sewer for the big rigs, package
sites such as Red Carpets, where they can get free unlimited mini-golf and
boats with their site, a paved site, a grill, a patio, and personal visits by
Yogi Bear. Then there are theme sites, similar to what you have at Disney
World, with characterization on your site. Special checkerboard picnic table,
again comes with free amenities – mini-golf and boats free – we have
paddleboats & canoes on beautiful Mirror Lake, and they also get a photo
with a character for free. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>There are six styles of cabins. Yogi™ Yurt has two queen
beds and are a modern adaptation of the ancient shelter used by Central Asian
nomads. Cindy Bear™ rustic cabins which sleep four, Yogi Bear™ bungalows which
sleep six and have air/heat, TV/DVD & Boo Boo™ Chalets. There are three styles
of chalets. The 4 and 6 sleeper chalets have full bath, full refrigerator,
and microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 8 sleeper has Master
Bedroom with its own TV, kids room with 2 bunk beds, living room with another
TV & futon for a another couple. This unit also has full bath & kitchen
and comes complete with cooking utensils and all bedding. We also have lodges
on the property that sleep six people with full kitchen, bathroom and living
room and are centrally located near the water playground. These units also have
cooking utensils and bedding included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All units have porch with swing, BBQ grill, fire ring and picnic table
for outside dining!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sounds like you have something for everyone’s lodging
needs. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Yes, we built the park in phases. In 1993 when we built the
first cabins, no camp ground in the United States had them yet. I decided to
test market the concept because I knew they were becoming popular in the
industry in Europe, so we built three. They were very successful and we
continued building for the next 20 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today we even have free WIFI throughout the entire 60 acre resort. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So after your guests arrive, what are some of the unique
things that they can do here for entertainment?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We do twenty weeks of special events. The big thing we do
different here is that every week there is a different theme. This week for
example, today starts our Hawaiian Paradise week. The whole property will be
decorated Hawaiian. On Saturday night we’ll have a party around the pool with
Hawaiian dancers that are in full costume. Fire and knife juggling, singing,
music, we’ll have about 1500 people attend that event. In addition, we have
free hors d’oeuvers specially prepared by my wife, a large task for that volume
of guests. In fact, this weekend has been so popular, we created a second week, called the Caribbean Getaway Week which will give the guests a Caribbean
vacation experience. These events are only for our guests on the property and
these events are all free. The events change weekly, and you can find them all
on our website, <u><a href="http://dellsjellystone.com/events/">http://dellsjellystone.com/events/</a></u>.
</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Other popular events are our Christmas Week in June,
Halloween in July, Mardi Grai in August, and our Chocoholics Anonymous Week. We
also have one birthday for every character every year. A new one this year is
our Jr. Ranger Safari Week. We recruit all the children to help be Junior
Rangers and then they took a safari through our golf cart trail where there
were “live animals” that they could view and visit.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Another thing that was new this year, that was different
then the past, is that we recreated the 1958 Yogi Bear™ Ranger Smith™ Chase.
Yogi Bear™ is known for stealing picnic baskets, as you probably know if you
watch the cartoons, and he will go throughout the park walking. Then, at the
point where Ranger Smith™ sees him, Ranger Smith™ will then grab Yogi Bear™
arrest him and take him off to jail. All the kids are helpers and are given Jr.
Ranger badges beforehand. It’s an extremely popular event because the kids are
engaged in the activity of helping catch Yogi Bear™, and helping keep the park
safe. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sounds fun! It seems like there is a lot more going on
here then what I originally thought.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Many people are surprised, that’s why we are a resort and
not just a campground. Other things we do different, that many people aren’t
aware of, is that we do wake-ups with Yogi Bear™. Yogi Bear™ will come to your
campsite, bring a bowl of cereal and milk, and wake up your children. We also
do birthday parties on site where you can get a birthday hat, a cake, and Yogi
Bear™, Cindy Bear™ and Boo Boo™ will come to your site and bring a little gift
for the children. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How many characters do you have?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We have Yogi Bear™, Boo Boo™, Cindy Bear™, and Ranger Smith™
– that’s the Jellystone Park™ family. Yogi Bear™ is the boss of the camp
resort. Boo Boo™ is his conscience and best buddy; he helps keep Yogi Bear™ out
of trouble. Ranger Smith™, of course, is the guy that keeps the park from Yogi
Bear™ antics, and Cindy Bear™ is girlfriend of Yogi Bear™. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s your favorite character?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I really don’t have one. I like all of them because I think
they are all very positive for children. I think today’s cartoon characters tend
to focus on the negative and cynicism. Yogi Bear™ only focuses on the positive,
making people feel good about themselves. As well as Boo Boo™, Cindy Bear™, and
Ranger Smith™ – they are all very good role models for children, unlike today’s
role models. That would be true of the whole Warner Brothers cast of
characters, of which there are several hundred.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Can you tell me a little about how the whole concept of
Jellystone Park™ originated?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Jellystone Park™, the way it was created, was by Mr. Bill
Hanna, who I have personally met on many occasions. He has since past. His
creative partner was Mr. Joseph Barbara, who I have also met once. They created
the concept because one of their best friends was a baseball player; you might
recognize the name Yogi Berra? They went out to
Yellowstone Park on an excursion once and came up with the idea that they
should create a fictional Jellystone Park™, inspired by the real Yellowstone
Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So, it was based off Yellowstone Park and translated to
Jellystone Park™. They trademarked it through Columbia Screen Gems, who was the
original film producer. It’s been bought and sold like six times that I can
remember, but currently owned by Warner Brothers - which has been a great
combination because Warner Brothers is huge. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Does Warner Brothers have a lot of input, let’s say if
you wanted to do something with the characters, do you have to run it by them
and make sure it’s OK?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Absolutely. As this is a licensed property by Warner
Brothers, we are one of the worldwide trademarked license holders. On this
property, every time we use the image in marketing or any product that is
produced by our franchise company for resale, it all has to be approved by
Warner Brothers in California. It’s an excellent concept in that they keep the
integrity of the character very true to the 1958 origins. They are very
specific in how it is licensed and how they want the character to be portrayed,
so we follow it very stringently. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Have you ever have any problems where you wanted to do
something and they said no?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>No, in fact, they have been very creative with the
character. We are licensed as Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™, but also known as
Yogi Bear’s Camp Resort and Water Playground, because we have a water
playground, unlike many of the others in the United States. Being in the
Waterpark Capital of the World, we felt that was critical. We have been able to
utilize the image in very creative marketing venues, such as a digital
billboard which has been used in Milwaukee. They have a very excellent
department at Warner Brothers that helps approve all of it. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Is it something that happens quickly, or is one of those
drawn out things where you have to wait months?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It depends. Most of our approvals are very expeditious,
because we have been doing this for so many years, and they are very familiar
with our product. They are very happy to know that we’ll make sure it’s being
implemented correctly. We are the only Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort
in the United States that has been run and owned by the same family since the
inception. We literally created this concept with them, and built the image
over forty-three years, helping expand the whole eighty park system. We were,
for example, the ones that created the Red Carpet campsite, as well as the
themed campsites. I could list a dozen things here on the property that we have
created that they now use. Wake up with the bears, the birthday parties, they
use those nationwide now. The most notable addition has been the Club Yogi™
Rewards which rewards the guests with 5 points for every dollar spent. I am
very proud to say that as chairman of the Yogi Advisory Council, my team helped
develop this very important program that was the first and only rewards program
in the camping industry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>With having so many things on property, how many
employees do you usually have to have each season?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Around fifty employees. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you have a lot that return year after year?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Many of our staff and managers have been with us for a long
time. Ten, twenty years is not uncommon here. Then of course we hire many
college students. A new concept here that we started three years ago is that we
have been hiring Navigators. Navigators is a branch of campus ministry. They
came to the Wisconsin Dells to form Dells Summer Ministry, and in addition to
furthering the ministry of Christ, they also work five days a week on
properties in the Wisconsin Dells area, which were one of the first businesses
in the Dells to partner with them. The kids are all college students from the
Midwest area, very hardworking, very smart, very dedicated, very honest, and
they have made an excellent fit for our business. We have around nine of them
this year. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We also hire about fifteen international students. We choose
to only hire from Turkey, as we find them to be the most fun, friendly, helpful
and excellent salesman skills. I actually go overseas to do the hiring and to
handpick the best that speak English, the friendliest people, and most helpful
people. We’ve had great success with that. It’s been an interesting concept and
combination of have a Muslim staff from Turkey and a Christian staff, because
we also house most of our employees that come from oversees and around the
country. They are living next door to each other and sometimes in the same
housing unit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s created a lot of
long-term friendships, a lot of discussions about different religions, and
actually a lot of insight to other people. I am sure in a very small way, it’s
really helped global peace. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Our main objective is to have fun, friendly, helpful
employees, which we have, and to entertain our guests.</i></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s your favorite part of running Yogi Bear’s
Jellystone Park™?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It’s always enjoyable to see the smiles on the children when
they see Yogi Bear™, or Boo Boo™, Cindy Bear™, or Ranger Smith™ – any of the
characters. Seeing them interact with the water playground, the hot tub, the
waterslides, doing any of the arts & crafts or sports games with their
families, or just seeing them around the campfire, enjoying the outdoor
hospitality of family and friends. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>People form lifetime friendships when they stay here. What
we do most is create lifetime memories, because they actually camp right next
to each other outdoors. It’s very common that we have multiple family reunions
that come back year after year – so it’s a great family experience. And now, it’s
always interesting to see the grandparents with their grandchildren and to hear
the stories of the grandparents coming here as children!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It sounds like you really have a lot going on here. I bet
you have a lot of guests that never even leave the property. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well, of course being the Waterpark Capital of the World,
they come to the Wisconsin Dells to see the Wisconsin Dells. While they do find
a large amount of amenities and activities to stay here, many of our guests
venture out to see Wisconsin Dells. Things like the Tommy Bartlett Water show,
which is a partner of ours with Passport to Savings (a discount savings program
for Dells attraction tickets), The Original Wisconsin Ducks, Noah’s Ark, the
Jet Boats, Ripley’s – all of those are partners, just to mention a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also partner with Kalahari and package
their theme park tickets with our chalets. For the Mom’s we also have a
ShopNStay package for our cabins or ShopNCamp package for our campsites which
includes a Tanger Mall gift card.</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Of course, the families loved being entertained at the park,
but also the opportunity to go out. That’s what makes this park different then
the eighty others in the United States that we are located in one of the top
tourism destinations in the United States. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>So, they have the double advantage of enjoying the amenities
here, as well as in the Wisconsin Dells area. That’s why we have a ve</i><i>ry high
repeat clientele, and a very high referral rate, because they know what they
can expect coming here. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Can you tell me of any future plans?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We would like to continue to expand our rental
opportunities. Those tend to have very good success and have a very high sell-out
rate every weekend, because they are great value for the families. We are going
to continue to expand our special events venue, and most likely expand our
music festivals. We are also working now to expand more vacation bible schools,
week long camps for people to come here. We have a lot of day cares that come
here for the day. We have several hundred of those that come, and we’d like to
continue to expand on that because there are many midweek days that are good
for them to enjoy the facilities inexpensively. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Also, next year we plan to have tents already set up, so
people can just come and check in, without having to set anything up. The new
generation of campers is not interested in doing a lot of work. They want to
check in, check out. It’s all about convenience. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well, it sounds like you have created a very unique asset
to share with the visitors of the Wisconsin Dells for years to come. Thanks for
taking the time to show me around and sharing your story!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The Dells really is a great place. I certainly have had a
lot of opportunities in my life to do other things, but I choose to stay in the
Wisconsin Dells because of the tremendous opportunity in this town. I’ve
enjoyed seeing the incredible growth in this town since the seventies, and I’ve
been happy to be a part of it. All the families that have been here have
expanded and built beyond their original family’s businesses and have created
phenomenal resorts, attractions and restaurants for family entertainment. I’ve
been very proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish, and what they have
been able to provide our guests as an entertainment venue. It’s quite an
incredible story.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">YOGI BEAR and all related
characters and elements are trademarks of and © Hanna-Barbera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> (s13) </span> </span> </span></span></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-16547543170346256812013-08-12T16:14:00.000-07:002013-08-11T17:13:06.586-07:00Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>COMING SOON!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72p1PxvwRRsOIsBIkFGygmbdBvu9fFFZ286tMCZoH9pHBt0xI9w8HKcQ380Ynb5urcJibX7b2C1gDG9f_j1f35BmFqB9kRbJ31AaAW67S4Ti875SCMQRTLwfKpVIp3OcuGEXy-tzr9TA/s1600/IMG_4620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72p1PxvwRRsOIsBIkFGygmbdBvu9fFFZ286tMCZoH9pHBt0xI9w8HKcQ380Ynb5urcJibX7b2C1gDG9f_j1f35BmFqB9kRbJ31AaAW67S4Ti875SCMQRTLwfKpVIp3OcuGEXy-tzr9TA/s320/IMG_4620.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1008153953"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dellsjellystone.com/">www.dellsjellystone.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGmnmse4w0gGjXdnLDvXOfEDi3OPG8syBPx3GZdTmJtrNPYXiPqGeNQxu3GI2DRPKE7FirNI8bbPYrqYe8oJ4zoaCNA3qZsRMA4KtUT_OGt7kiZnf-1XaoCz8DMJLf2p5eg5nRLhzWiw/s1600/chris+and+yogi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGmnmse4w0gGjXdnLDvXOfEDi3OPG8syBPx3GZdTmJtrNPYXiPqGeNQxu3GI2DRPKE7FirNI8bbPYrqYe8oJ4zoaCNA3qZsRMA4KtUT_OGt7kiZnf-1XaoCz8DMJLf2p5eg5nRLhzWiw/s200/chris+and+yogi.jpg" width="115" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-40405744261855934522013-08-11T17:12:00.000-07:002013-08-15T12:56:09.680-07:00DELLS BUCKET LIST #22 - Going behind-the-scenes of Big Sky Drive-In<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally, nothing makes the movie experience more perfect
than smelling the unmistakable, mouth-watering aroma of fresh, hot buttered
popcorn. For my latest Dells Bucket List adventure, I got to relive one of my
first jobs by having the opportunity to once again make the classic, movie
watching snack. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big Sky Drive-In is one of only ten drive-in movie theaters
in the state of Wisconsin. Located just east of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Big
Sky offers double features of first run movies nightly, May through September.
Recently, I got to spend time with owner Mary Bork, who for the past
thirty-three years has helped bring the outdoor, under the stars movie
experience to tourists and area residents alike. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2_adI2OcVuyF0QfAvoa1wkHufEaaKfuZrFnuhZ4t8Piny6U_SicrmrVyHA6XEGLk6gcxTNnQuKaofwX-6BQ4gBiWMUjyP7_iYif0OQlBsNYhlfk0IY6c7v4JqB2UmzXJiHkDKDvoVZI/s1600/%231+Entrance+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2_adI2OcVuyF0QfAvoa1wkHufEaaKfuZrFnuhZ4t8Piny6U_SicrmrVyHA6XEGLk6gcxTNnQuKaofwX-6BQ4gBiWMUjyP7_iYif0OQlBsNYhlfk0IY6c7v4JqB2UmzXJiHkDKDvoVZI/s200/%231+Entrance+Sign.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mary has worked in movie
theaters for most of her life. Having jobs in the indoor theaters her parents
owned in Arcadia and Neillsville while growing up, they later went into the
outdoor movie business after buying what used to be called the Winnebago
Drive-In in 1980, changing the name to Dells Drive-In. In 1984, after
installing the second screen, they changed the name yet again to what is known
today as Big Sky Drive-In.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Nestled in-between woods and farmland on thirty acres a mile
outside of town, Mary told me that Big Sky can hold up to two-hundred and fifty
vehicles. Having phased out the old standalone speakers, you can listen to the
movie’s soundtrack either through your auto’s FM stereo, or rent one of their
radios from the concession stand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0Nvzq_HZyYVVlukWU38WLXZHJjHCD4sH4xKpssfH7Eur47EBrI2kWT7vFYp102b2bNaUaL8p52Ub8KwG6XkctHYHEvoRyVuemTfoym3G8oXcEzk9rwyPzMWAcmbKj0iswj3eeybcM2c/s1600/%25237+ticket+stand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big Sky recently underwent a major conversion from film to
digital projection. While there is a program to help finance drive-ins with the
transition, Mary told me she decided to shoulder the big cost on her own: “I’ll
be paying for that for the next twenty years!” That said, she is happy with how
everything has turned out so far: “The picture is a lot better, way clearer and
brighter, so it’s really good.”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvbJkMa5FJR2gCqrtl1bVp-TJ_XtGFgg8VTCAwSuBqoEsFfojq0v5uqj8uwwEEEVS3s1wXO6VhX_5nCNbRICtDeUdohEYX0XyY3DTAxoBreot1nwb-gpQY_shFIciwe-wund8JO48tVo/s1600/%25239+new+digital+projector.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvbJkMa5FJR2gCqrtl1bVp-TJ_XtGFgg8VTCAwSuBqoEsFfojq0v5uqj8uwwEEEVS3s1wXO6VhX_5nCNbRICtDeUdohEYX0XyY3DTAxoBreot1nwb-gpQY_shFIciwe-wund8JO48tVo/s200/%25239+new+digital+projector.JPG" width="150" /></a>While getting a tour of the projection room, which her
family was in the middle of insulating to help protect the new equipment, I
learned I was the first outsider to see the new digital projection set-up. Mary
explained that the digital system streamlined the whole process, doing away
with the weekly hauling up of five or six big reels of film for each movie, to
now just having to plug in an encrypted flash drive about the size of an old
8-track tape.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At dusk, Mary doesn’t have go up to the projection room to
get things started anymore. Having rigged things specifically so she doesn’t
have to go up the stairs, with a simple push of two buttons, one for each
screen, the films now start up by themselves. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After watching Mary demonstrate the new projection process,
we made our way down to the concession area. Decorated with a mix of charming
handmade signs and collectible drive-in artifacts, it creates a nostalgic
atmosphere of years gone by. There is even a working payphone that customers
can still use. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCzqvjp3iDJQIIkB4qPDV6yQjHNi_UfP8vfDM8kaAP8IrO2HKrAtzWPoqimhSTczhDOc3j5omGxcvBjYo_G-ErcA4wfPQ-NplLxTVSLzAGl_9PY_1Q1iCr0g3_lg7SaJUnV6HcSXawvI/s1600/%25234+Chris+making+popcorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCzqvjp3iDJQIIkB4qPDV6yQjHNi_UfP8vfDM8kaAP8IrO2HKrAtzWPoqimhSTczhDOc3j5omGxcvBjYo_G-ErcA4wfPQ-NplLxTVSLzAGl_9PY_1Q1iCr0g3_lg7SaJUnV6HcSXawvI/s200/%25234+Chris+making+popcorn.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Immediately upon entering, I was hit with the pleasant scent
of popcorn popping, bringing me back to my own days of working at movie
theaters. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to relive some of my old skills,
I offered to try and make a batch. After adding a gallop of coconut oil, I
dumped a large scoop of kernels topped with salt into the rotating kettle. A
few minutes later, hot popcorn spilled out from the machine and all that was
needed was some buttery topping to create the perfect moviegoing snack. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big Sky Drive-In features two full-sized outdoor screens of
double features, showing first run movies nightly. Bring the kids, bring the
pets, bring the games, and they’ll provide the fun. Also be sure to try one of
the famous Mamaburgers, made from a third-pound of ground chuck steak. For more
information call 608-254-8025 or visit <a href="http://www.bigskydrivein.com/">www.bigskydrivein.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For more photos of Big Sky Drive-In visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.568415063216181.1073741829.177829635608061&type=1" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShQjDSGzX3L7ZFcpZa8S-rFkd4BZtWKmXihBPnFwNUkyeaEqDU51jft7KLMnx5VY_8ALxjNpbZG-ESUxgl617cOgBkpmbVki0XEWnVsSRGWg_a5FUtfVu_0q93JbAJCLkMo_g3Qd3vfY/s1600/IMG_4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShQjDSGzX3L7ZFcpZa8S-rFkd4BZtWKmXihBPnFwNUkyeaEqDU51jft7KLMnx5VY_8ALxjNpbZG-ESUxgl617cOgBkpmbVki0XEWnVsSRGWg_a5FUtfVu_0q93JbAJCLkMo_g3Qd3vfY/s320/IMG_4845.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMa7ZjlLHekhsMCx_sq-kMVap_ItuLAECF1Tn69m3cnaIZTsI__KLPbcAu8oCnZqiM1sPFc2aLTNpqlDgxYVaNMP9buZASRIcBB5dgg5a5hq3URIK-y6dWpcIrUR3DInk92dEUHANHyQ/s1600/IMG_4844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMa7ZjlLHekhsMCx_sq-kMVap_ItuLAECF1Tn69m3cnaIZTsI__KLPbcAu8oCnZqiM1sPFc2aLTNpqlDgxYVaNMP9buZASRIcBB5dgg5a5hq3URIK-y6dWpcIrUR3DInk92dEUHANHyQ/s200/IMG_4844.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdCLVgUUcv_6xLz74Hi3J6Swiodrdnvts0SlggYX64nT5VSfkksewvlJXKJhdNaqUAlTmAhA8EI98xhqxLBjYi3hL2cMxL9OdeKbRaIgZ7zDiqrDwK3JHyORO9sqBI5ybWbQI7PadpGA/s1600/IMG_4844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
</div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-89756438526983716252013-07-24T21:03:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:43:33.445-08:00Interview with Big Sky Drive-In owner - Mary Bork<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--><b>Big Sky Drive-In is one of only ten drive-in movie
theaters in the state of Wisconsin. Located just east of downtown Wisconsin
Dells, Big Sky offers double features of first run movies nightly May through
September. Recently, I got to spend time with owner Mary Bork, who for the past
thirty-three years has helped bring the outdoor movie viewing experience to
tourists, as well as area residents young and old. </b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjYjzZZ02yuhfA-PliU5g6kJmeqVrWs5p2-Qq1KCQqLTQhDhWK0YTJ-SSSB-3u4dKZn-1wsjYIVPcWsLXU5rALcoZ7huu6UoCMM0UXSsY1CllCui1LMqGN89Ys5fYu0N5YO8mR0jUFLs/s1600/Mary+Bork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjYjzZZ02yuhfA-PliU5g6kJmeqVrWs5p2-Qq1KCQqLTQhDhWK0YTJ-SSSB-3u4dKZn-1wsjYIVPcWsLXU5rALcoZ7huu6UoCMM0UXSsY1CllCui1LMqGN89Ys5fYu0N5YO8mR0jUFLs/s200/Mary+Bork.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>Tell me a little about yourself Mary and how you got into
the movie business. Are you originally from the Dells?</b></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;">MARY BORK: <i>I was born in Green Bay, but I moved here in 1980 and
started working here at the Drive-In in 1981. My parents Don & Dorothy
Legros used to own it. They bought it in 1980 and I worked for them for many
years. When they got older, I then took it over. </i></span></b><br />
<b>
</b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Did you always want to be in the movie business?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;">I don’t know about owning a Drive-In, but I worked at a
couple of my dad’s indoor ones since I was child. He had theaters in both
Arcadia & Neillsville,Wisconsin. </span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;">My parents moved to Arcadia in 1971. I worked for them
there, and then when I graduated high school I worked at Neillsville. Ran that
one for a year and a half and then came here.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Drive-In was operating before your parents took over.
Do you know when it originally opened?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I think it was opened in about 1953. It was Winnebago
Drive-In then. My dad changed the name to Dells Drive-In, and then when he put
the 2<sup>nd</sup> screen in 1994, he changed it to Big Sky. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the story behind the name Big Sky?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I don’t know how that came up, but it probably wasn’t such a
good idea! In 2005 a Drive-In was built in Texas and they named it Big Sky. So
now, every time you go on the Internet, people come here and think I’m playing
what that guy is playing! (laughs)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That sort of stinks, especially since you guys had the
name first. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>That does! I’ll ask people and they’ll say: “No, I was on
the Dells website.” – and I’m like, I’m not sure about that… (laughs)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Last month you made the switch from film projection to
digital. Is there a big difference in the picture?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The picture is a lot better – way clearer and brighter – so
it’s really good.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Was the conversion a big cost for you?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Yes, highly. They came out with a program last April for
Drive-Ins where the movie companies would help fund it.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>That’s pretty cool.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>But I didn’t go with that – I did it on my own. So, I’ll be
paying for that for the next twenty years! (laughs)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Besides the picture quality, what’s the biggest
difference between film and digital?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>The movies now come on a flash drive about the size of one
of those old 8-track tapes, where before they were shipped in five or six huge
film reels that we had to haul upstairs to the projection room. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>They say the digital files are really encrypted. I heard it’s
three times more security then the White House, but I’m like really? Come on
now! (laughs) I don’t think it’s quite that good. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tell me a little about the process of getting the movies
going each evening. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well, when it’s time to start the movie, I have it rigged
specifically so that you don’t have to go upstairs. You just have to push these
two buttons, one for each screen, and the films start up by themselves. I used
to have to go up there, start it, thread it, and stick around to watch and make
sure things began smoothly. It wasn’t like this new stuff. If the film quit, it
would fry the film and there would be white on the screen. Or it would wrap
itself around that big table you saw that held all the reels – what a mess! And
the stuff wasn’t easy to fix either. You couldn’t get it back together. You’d
have to splice it because it gets so twisted – it was an incredible mess. But
it was fun. I mean, I miss it. I ran this place for the past thirty-three years
on film. I had to rig stuff up. I fixed things on the projector. I did all the
maintenance. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How often did you have to fix something that went wrong
when dealing with film?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>About once every couple weeks. We play first run movies, so
they were generally new, but the 2<sup>nd</sup> features were usually a little
older, three weeks old or so. They would send me one from another theater –
usually from places being run by teens who didn’t care, so you would get the
film and wouldn’t know what was heads, what was tails, what reels was what. So
that could get you into trouble. I did that once. I ran a movie with the reel
in the wrong place – it was like twenty years ago – and nobody said nothing.
Well, one person came up to me and said you know, that movie seemed a little
weird, cause something happened latter and it shouldn’t of. I said really? Then
I knew exactly what it was. (laughs)</i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Often you had to really work to fix things though. Let’s say
they were six reels and there was a problem in reel three. You had to take the
first three reels all off to get to reel three. Everybody thinks if something
happens, you can just back it up. You can’t do that. You can do that with
digital though. </i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s the most memorable thing that’s happened here over
the years? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>We had the Weinermobile here last year – that was pretty
neat – that thing is huge! </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you get people trying to sneak in?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Oh yeah, they still do that. In fact, last week my sister
hid in the trunk just to give me a good laugh. Pulled up to the ticket booth
with her friend driving, started banging on the trunk – they thought they were
hilarious. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What do you do when you catch people?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well we make them pay – we should charge them double!
(laughs) There’s a lot of sneaky ones – there is a lot of blankets coming in
here – or one person coming in to a kids movie by themselves. The teens do it
mostly. They’ll only be one in the car – oh I’m meeting some friends – not
exactly… We keep our eye on those. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sounds like something I would do when I was younger!
Well, before I go, you got to tell me about this Big Momma burger I keep
hearing about.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Well it originated back in the day, invented by my mother.
It’s a third-pound of ground chuck steak and I think it was actually made by
mistake. We were making burgers and made a couple big ones. They went over
really good and so we just left it as that. It comes on a five inch bun which
you can’t get in stores, you have to order than from the bakery. They’re way
bigger then normal.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Well, it sounds pretty good to me. Thank you Mary for
spending time with me and giving me the tour, I can’t wait to come back here to
catch my next flick – and taste one of those burgers!</b></div>
</b>Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-70810912156938556532013-07-24T18:54:00.000-07:002013-07-24T18:54:39.098-07:00BIG SKY DRIVE-IN<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;">COMING SOON!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTKDbl3CtSWfN2qEvrdUdNgbG-01nbF_9aN-aO8NWFYSRfah_RClqysQ-1g-7IK8ggtOYi0mGre5WIpGICFpsskQHxg_C5jVLMte6lbLITcdjLbhue-VSQIC1g3BP1tEF9t3o0TiLcgs/s1600/IMG_4546.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTKDbl3CtSWfN2qEvrdUdNgbG-01nbF_9aN-aO8NWFYSRfah_RClqysQ-1g-7IK8ggtOYi0mGre5WIpGICFpsskQHxg_C5jVLMte6lbLITcdjLbhue-VSQIC1g3BP1tEF9t3o0TiLcgs/s320/IMG_4546.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeyMdWzFXv_8u6UNKZDPAnSkpnyGnTPAkU-puvOdCTC1QKOV6YbC0gVN1Y3HslM7HsM6Kk0a5a6VsJXFQuTCvfVakyG1ZZ8EsGtzNhDLC7jfQ4fjTGGyLSn0c91QmSgBoiGAkJh30Lfw/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeyMdWzFXv_8u6UNKZDPAnSkpnyGnTPAkU-puvOdCTC1QKOV6YbC0gVN1Y3HslM7HsM6Kk0a5a6VsJXFQuTCvfVakyG1ZZ8EsGtzNhDLC7jfQ4fjTGGyLSn0c91QmSgBoiGAkJh30Lfw/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">www.bigskydrivein.com</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIrO5Yhs5kic6TQH9BqpzDxiPcy5oZQP9l5IqXXfO-82870t9dtYttgOUcwXgARE3aSO4jp1GkbHt37RQ0gRy9dfxc68l4B3ivsdKspX-pQQOMI2W2_FwHr0qWUMwcI7yMNkDeKAMzco/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIrO5Yhs5kic6TQH9BqpzDxiPcy5oZQP9l5IqXXfO-82870t9dtYttgOUcwXgARE3aSO4jp1GkbHt37RQ0gRy9dfxc68l4B3ivsdKspX-pQQOMI2W2_FwHr0qWUMwcI7yMNkDeKAMzco/s200/IMG_4526.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-61436821423757802992013-07-13T06:28:00.002-07:002013-12-02T19:18:48.074-08:00DELLS BUCKET LIST #21 - Going behind the scenes of the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
Watching a wedding never fails to bring a smile to my face
but after having suffered through many long, drawn out wedding ceremonies
throughout my lifetime, they usually aren’t something I particularly look
forward to attending.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was before I went behind the scenes of the Dells Bells
Wedding Chapel, where for my latest Dells Bucket List adventure I got to
witness a couple’s complete wedding experience, taking less time than it did
for me to recently get fitted for a tux.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Located in the downtown on Eddy Street, Dells Bells is owned
and operated by Scott and Tara Joles, who came up with the concept of
offering affordable Vegas style weddings in the Wisconsin Dells one evening a
little over a decade ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was the middle of summer at about eleven o’clock at night. We were driving through downtown
with all the neon lights and I turned to my husband and said: Why doesn’t this
town have a wedding chapel? The streets are packed; it’s like a Midwest Vegas.
There should be a chapel.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5crd3OjPsZ8d95wCvHd7SE9XZlPQbhyphenhyphenQp9210Peh-oLoanFZ5ag6Y3stNp0JXUXLuu19nBTZnYlNrrw_gbPxkoUPI3M4225j4JF_fqIr8tw1XMAl83lHvVTeBhL5eAZKNLYpppAjpGz8/s1600/%234+dells+bells+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5crd3OjPsZ8d95wCvHd7SE9XZlPQbhyphenhyphenQp9210Peh-oLoanFZ5ag6Y3stNp0JXUXLuu19nBTZnYlNrrw_gbPxkoUPI3M4225j4JF_fqIr8tw1XMAl83lHvVTeBhL5eAZKNLYpppAjpGz8/s200/%234+dells+bells+sign.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While they knew the idea of bringing a wedding experience
similar to what they shared together when getting married in Vegas was a good
one, Tara initially had some trepidation. It wasn’t
until Scott mentioned that she would end up kicking herself if someone else
beat them to it, that they begun the year-long process of acquiring a good
location.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I asked Tara why she ended up choosing what was most
recently home to Millie’s House of Gifts, she told me besides realizing the
marketing potential of being downtown in the middle of all the fun would bring,
it was the arched windows that sold her on the place, even though the building
was in shambles: “It was literally a shell with pretty arched windows and a
tree growing inside when we got it!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That begun the whirlwind experience of bringing their dream
to fruition, literally finishing only hours before the first ceremony began.
Scott did everything from woodwork to plumbing in the building, but he told me
that when they got their first online reservation, the chapel was still in the
middle of construction, and they weren’t sure it would be ready in time. “In
fact, the toilet literally went in the morning of our first wedding!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having successfully survived the first one, they went on to
have thirty-two weddings that first season. Growing steadily ever since,
they’ve now have had well over two thousand weddings, sometimes eight a day,
averaging between two to three hundred a year. A big reason for this is that
they fill a niche for fun couples that are looking for something more elegant
and traditional then a courthouse wedding, but don’t want to go into the huge
debt big weddings usually bring. Tara told me: “With us,
you can have a beautiful ceremony for $300, walk out the door, and have a Swig
at Nig’s to kick off your celebration.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I arrived at Dells Bells, I learned that ceremonies
always start at the top of the hour, and that a couple by the name of Jose and
Andrea would be the first of four that day. The chapel seats forty-two people
comfortably, so I was definitely interested to see how they would be able to
pull off having a wedding with that many people and still stay on schedule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About twenty minutes till four, the wedding guests started
showing up and were allowed to take their seats. Tara
kept things running smoothly by directing the guests, while keeping an eye out
for when the bride arrived. Once she did, Tara whisked
Andrea away to the office to pick out her wedding parties bouquets, as well as
keep her out of sight from Jose. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Jose arrived Scott ushered him to the front of the
beautifully decorated chapel where the ceremony would take place, and then went
back and closed the door. This allowed for Andrea to come out from hiding. Tara
took this opportunity to learn who was going to walk Andrea down the aisle and
what order she would like her wedding party to enter the chapel. After this, it
was basically just coordinating everything so it looked well-rehearsed. “It’s a
matter of lining them up, letting them know when to walk, and reminding them to
smile on their way up the aisle.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10UIhYplMW5O67788eMyX1kgSvcUinP4Hl7LJ9AobR832A2vyzFvvMjqWEcwwWLYj9KxDMpuanCiuVlxO3ZL5SBFQdEO9zg4HE77U30QXnJFgjps-Xfr5PIhWY8PxKYYSVwYL05HMids/s1600/IMG_4195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10UIhYplMW5O67788eMyX1kgSvcUinP4Hl7LJ9AobR832A2vyzFvvMjqWEcwwWLYj9KxDMpuanCiuVlxO3ZL5SBFQdEO9zg4HE77U30QXnJFgjps-Xfr5PIhWY8PxKYYSVwYL05HMids/s200/IMG_4195.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At four o’clock
harp music started to play, and the wedding was on its way. After Tara
opened the door and the wedding party made its way down the aisle, Jose got his
first look at his bride to be in her wedding dress. It was evident they had
been waiting for this moment for quite some time. Scott begun the proceedings
by saying, “We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest
moments,” and not even ten minutes later, the couple was officially married.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the obligatory ringing of the bell that’s housed in
the roof’s steeple, Jose and Andrea excited the chapel to congratulations and
blowing bubbles from their guests. Being it was only fifteen after, there was
plenty of time to take photos in front of the Vegas style Dells Bells sign
that’s displayed on the front of the chapel before the next wedding party would
arrive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vgv2CyGPXNTrgCMVUuImkavaTHh7ml3QTlgSLbdeWDpJlC_Bb6ieX2eU_1f7SGdu29gc4IWySv2ZYJT7uv5AmB8nXihs5p-agg6A8mUtJKeJV9WSrZD0kYbns0vH6sahDuhCxiqLVnA/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vgv2CyGPXNTrgCMVUuImkavaTHh7ml3QTlgSLbdeWDpJlC_Bb6ieX2eU_1f7SGdu29gc4IWySv2ZYJT7uv5AmB8nXihs5p-agg6A8mUtJKeJV9WSrZD0kYbns0vH6sahDuhCxiqLVnA/s200/IMG_4235.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Dells Bells Wedding Chapel offers a variety of
affordable wedding packages, as well as rents out the gazebo for ceremonies at
River Walk Pub. All you need to do is show up with your wedding license and
they will do the rest. For more information please visit <a href="http://www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com/">www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com</a>
or call 608-393-4228.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="NoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For more photos of Dells Bells Wedding Chapel visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.551592024898485.1073741828.177829635608061&type=3" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</span></div>
<div class="NoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8Xvntz1gEktATh9APDPikBvixGRMKJcGAci-dExb71m3tUflipj0YI_EaDFDTi_-L5xyf0UfWL4mJ9SytsKhyphenhyphenrpd2N3OaIpzpurZsqc-9zBGs9j_yWM3Y_nNK47GJ92MxpB0MwNAJ9I/s1600/IMG_4469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8Xvntz1gEktATh9APDPikBvixGRMKJcGAci-dExb71m3tUflipj0YI_EaDFDTi_-L5xyf0UfWL4mJ9SytsKhyphenhyphenrpd2N3OaIpzpurZsqc-9zBGs9j_yWM3Y_nNK47GJ92MxpB0MwNAJ9I/s320/IMG_4469.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="NoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-13963273880384352022013-06-25T07:33:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:22:27.329-08:00Interview with Dells Bells Wedding Chapel owners - Scott & Tara Joles<b>The Dells Bells Wedding Chapel,<span class="BodyText"> located in historic downtown Wisconsin Dells has been home to where over two thousand couples have professed their love by saying "I do" </span><span class="BodyText"> – making it the Midwest's #1 wedding destination. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="BodyText"><b>Recently I had the opportunity to talk with owners Tara and Scott Joles, who shared their story of how they met, and how their own wedding played a part in bringing this unique place to life.</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0K-xRXHWpPvTumPrTPuzYwtZb6js95YD12sacOujANqwTzbYWeubrcoTtAya_bVeZuruOkC18exlvhL4y_JhNAY_XPDbWSTXRwYfnMO2SjpK8tGMWpkteP2gsaLOvm2_xFU9Hx0hXrY/s1600/tara+and+scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0K-xRXHWpPvTumPrTPuzYwtZb6js95YD12sacOujANqwTzbYWeubrcoTtAya_bVeZuruOkC18exlvhL4y_JhNAY_XPDbWSTXRwYfnMO2SjpK8tGMWpkteP2gsaLOvm2_xFU9Hx0hXrY/s320/tara+and+scott.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>CHRIS DEARMAN: So, let’s start off by telling me how the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel came to fruition. </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA JOLES<i>: Well, it was the middle of summer at about eleven o’clock at night. We were driving through downtown with all the neon lights and I turned to my husband and said: “Why doesn’t this town have a wedding chapel? The streets are packed, it’s like a Midwest Vegas. There should be a chapel!” My husband turned to me and said: “You should open one!”<br /><br />I laughed it off, because we both had good jobs at the time. So we dropped the subject. But, sometime later he brought it up again. I was like: “I don’t know the first thing about running a business! I’m not going to be the one to do that!” He said: “That’s fine, I won’t bring it up again, but if you don’t do it and someone else does, you’re going to kick yourself.” And I knew darn well that he was right. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>So the idea came from seeing that the Dells had a need, as well as your husband giving you a little verbal motivation to actually pursue it. What happened next? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>So, I started looking into the logistics. It was really difficult trying to start up a business from scratch while we were both working full time. Plus, Scott was operating a portable sawmill business part-time on the weekends. We barely had time to even talk about the endeavor. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>How did you decide on this particular building and property?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>It was the arched windows. Every time we would drive by we would say: “That looks like a little chapel.” <br /><br />Even though the building was in shambles, we could see it’s potential. So, we started trying to find someone who could tell us something about the space. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>What was that process like?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Horrible! It took almost a full year to find out who to talk to about it. In the end, that person was Jesse Defosse. He also runs Showboat and MaMa’s Garage. Anyway, we went down and talked with him about the building. Once he shot us a number we could work with, we were a go. <br /><br />That’s when everything becomes a blur. There was so much work to be done. If we weren’t at work, we were here, or doing startup paperwork at home. Some good friends like, Jack Ladik, Eddie Gardener, Beav Anderson and John Colbert gave us invaluable help with the overhaul. Scott did everything from woodwork to plumbing in the building. It was literally a shell with pretty arched windows and a tree growing inside when we got it! </i></span><br />
<b><br />Do you know what business resided in the building before this?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: M<i>ost recently it was Millie’s House of Gifts, but we are still trying to find out what it was originally intended for. The railroad has always been here, so there was a large millhouse on this property early on and then we know the Helland Hotel stood here as recently as 1940’s or so. <br /><br />So after you had the idea for the chapel, you found the property and then worked to turn the old building into a chapel. How did you get your first couple?</i><br /><br />SCOTT JOLES: <i>Our first website actually had a shopping cart where couples could pick out packages and reserve their space online. So, we were sitting around the dinner table with a friend, and we heard an email pop up on the computer. Somebody had booked a wedding online! It was just like the commercial where the startup business gets their first order and then more and more and you realize you might not be quite ready yet. I mean the chapel was in the middle of construction. In fact, the toilet literally went in the morning of our first wedding!</i></span><i><br /> </i><br />
<b>How long was the website up and running before getting that first order?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">SCOTT: <i>Not long at all. As a matter of fact, we actually had this building all gutted out. We were still working on it.<br /><br />Those are the days you don’t forget though. You hear that pop-up and you’re like: Woo-hoo! Somebody’s coming to get married here!</i></span><i><br /></i><br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>We had a friend at our house when that first online booking came through and we all started high-fiving each other. It was the classic “if you build it, they will come” moment. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Sounds like you guys were really under the gun! What did you do after that first day? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA:<i> I think we had a drink! (laughs) I’m pretty sure we left here and went straight to Showboat! We gave ourselves a pat on the back, felt blessed and started smiling a lot. </i></span><b></b><br />
<b><br />I’m sure it was much deserved after all the work you two did to get to that point. It sounds like you two make a good team. Let’s back up a bit. How did you meet?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>We met in Lodi, at the Wollersheim Grape Stomp. I tell this story and I know people don’t believe me, but we met through a mutual friend that day. I was young and hadn’t even had wine before. He was going for his first glass of wine, and asked if I’d like to fight through the crowds along with him.<br /><br />I said “sure”. So, we’re struggling through the crowd and I keep losing sight of him and I say “Hey, don’t lose me” and he turns around, reaches for my hand, smiles and says “I won’t.” It was at that precise moment that we were married. That moment that he touched my hand we were as good as married. That was it! It was my happily ever after, right there in the crowd, at the Wollersheim winery.<br /><br />I know it sounds ridiculous, but it really happened that way. It was like a fairytale for me. I was really ready for a new direction, and luckily for me, he was in that exact same place in his life. Timing is everything</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<b>Your fairytale ended up with your own wedding, and now you do them for a living. Where did you two get married?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Well when Scott proposed, the ring came along with two tickets to Vegas. Since we had each had the big wedding previously, and we were good with whatever we were going to get out there. If it’s hokey it’s hokey, we’re fine with that. But, it wasn’t – it wasn’t hokey at all! And even though there was a service every fifteen minutes, once it was your space, they made you feel welcome and comfortable. It was very traditional, very classy. It was only $190 – and we were married! And that included photography! So we really tried to model Dells Bells after that. We wanted other couples to share that experience, but right here in the Dells. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Tell me a little about the experience people get. Walk me through things a bit. </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Well, our four o’clock reservation today has reserved a “Vegas Style Package”. When Andrea and Jose arrive for their ceremony, their guests will begin seating. The couple will sign their license with their witnesses and prepare to walk the aisle. All this will happen in a traditional setting with a Christian ceremony. Once they are pronounced husband and wife, they will exit the chapel and get congratulations from their special guests. After that, they will have some time for photos and will likely walk down to the RiverWalk for gazebo pictures and some cocktails. There are several places in town that will give them their first toast for free when they come from Dells Bells Wedding Chapel. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Do you normally average a wedding every hour?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Yes, we book on the top of the hour, which some people think sounds rushed, but I think you’ll see that it’s not. They arrive at twenty minutes to. We have the bride choose her bouquet, find out who is going to walk her down the aisle, and what order she would like her wedding party to enter the chapel. I make sure it looks rehearsed. That little step saves our couples a considerable amount of money on the expense of the rehearsal dinner. It’s a matter of lining them up, letting them know when to walk and reminding them to smile on their way up the aisle. <br /><br />People get nervous about where they are supposed to be, but we’ve been doing it so long, they can tell we know what we’re doing. We make it very stress free. <br />Once we ask a couple of basic questions, and let them know where to line up, they gain a confidence that it’s going to look rehearsed and orderly. <br /><br />After almost 10 years, we know how to keep it flowing and reduce the stress and tension if it arises. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>I’m guessing your guests appreciate that, as well as the fact that they can get a traditional type wedding without necessarily belonging to a church.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Yes, for instance, we’re Christian, but we don’t belong to a church. We practice our faith. We pray a lot and give thanks often, but, we are not church goers – and I think a lot of people find themselves in that same situation. They have a Christian faith, but they don’t have a church. <br /><br />So, we are filling that niche. Also, we attract couples who don’t want the stress and expense of a large wedding. With us, you can have a beautiful ceremony for $300, walk out the door and have a Swig at Nig’s to kick off your celebration. (laughs)</i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Sounds like the way to go, especially in this economy. I don’t even want to think about how much money I spent on my Disney wedding to my ex...</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>It’s definitely the way to go, in my opinion. I always find myself telling young couples how proud I am of them for making the decision to save for their home instead of going into debt for their wedding day. <br /><br />With us you’re not getting the wedding where you find yourself signing loan papers. I don’t know how people are sustaining that in this economy. When they come here, they have decided to make other things a priority – and we are glad we can help them do that. With these young couples, I give them a lot of credit, especially the brides, because girls dream about their wedding their entire lives.<br /><br />I’ve heard so many times: “I’ve had this wedding planned since I was ten! I was just waiting for the groom. And there he is!”<br /><br />When it comes right down to it, when you find that special someone, the marriage becomes more important than the wedding. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>And every couple gets to ring the bell? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>They always ring the bell! And everybody here in town knows exactly what that means. We often hear: “You guys had a lot of weddings yesterday!” That bell was ringing all day long. </i></span><i><br /></i><b><br />Do you know how many weddings you average a year?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>We do between two hundred and three hundred a year. It’s been a building process though. We didn’t do that many our first year. </i><br /><br />Scott: <i>The first year we did thirty two weddings, the second year it jumped to a hundred and twenty, and then it started growing pretty quickly. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Did you have to do a lot of advertising to get the word out?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Thank goodness for the internet! We pay very little in advertising. So the Dells Bells Vegas sign is a huge thing for us. People take their picture in front of that sign all day and it’s ideal for social network marketing. <br /><br />Our location is our best marketing. It’s like a big billboard. Here we are right in the middle of all the fun. We capture an audience by pure location. Downtown, in the River District, near the largest public parking area in town. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Well, after nine years and over two thousand weddings I have to ask – have you ever had anyone left standing?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Scott: <i>I joke that we will eventually see everything at least once, but luckily I haven’t seen that yet. We also haven’t had anyone faint or pass out. I’ve seen a couple that I was concerned about, (laugh) but 911 has never been called. </i></span><br />
<b><br />Have you ever had anyone say that they object? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Scott: <i>No, because we don’t ask that! (laughs) I once had a bride ask me: “Do you ask if anyone objects?” I said “no”, and she said: “Good, because there would be like fifteen people on his side that would object!” We really enjoy that kind of humor and we get it often in this setting. </i></span><br />
<b>What are some of the things you like best about running your own chapel?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">TARA: <i>Often times, parents or grandparents will come in the office afterwards, shake our hands, and say that it was an amazing ceremony. They will say “We weren’t really sure what we were going to get here, but we are really happy”. <br /><br />And I get it, it is called Dells Bells. They’re not sure exactly how it’s going to be, so they are relieved by the pleasant experience. We’ll hear – thank you for saying a prayer, we really appreciate the blessing, etc. I mean, their granddaughter means a lot to them, they want her to have that royal treatment, and that’s what we aim to give them. I think they look at the prices and don’t think that’s what they are going to get! It’s fun to deliver above expectations. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>It’s true that the giving is a blessing. It makes all the hard work worth it when you get the smiles.</i></span><br />
<br />
<b>It is, because when people aren’t expecting much and you over-deliver...</b><span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br />TARA: <i>Yeah, what a gift! I’m not really sure who is happier about that, the bride, or us for getting to do it. The whole saying, that giving is a gift. I think that’s the way to go. I don’t want to say that its charity, because it’s not, we are making a living doing this. <br /><br />People are always saying that we should raise our prices, but we’re making a living. We make less money now than we did when we were both working full time, but at least we’re not driving a desk anymore! I can book a wedding from virtually anywhere. I don’t have to sit somewhere waiting for the phone to ring. <br /><br />So, while we’re not getting rich, depending on how you define rich, our happiness level is beyond our expectations. The truth is we felt “rich” that first year when we hosted thirty-three weddings! Rich is a very objective term. </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Well, it definitely sounds like you found your own niche’ in life, and your happiness sure shows. Thank you for spending the time with me today to share your story. It’s been inspirational to hear you talk about it, and I wish you and Dells Bells nothing but continued success.<br /><br />For more information on the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel please visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and their website <a href="http://www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com/">www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com</a></b><br />
<br />Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-23147450032167254922013-06-10T22:26:00.000-07:002013-06-10T22:26:06.820-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> COMING SOON!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2Uhc0mylOYr45awAVcp0gurvE6R5jv8wx6luafvRlaZc4R2mKANbEy7kC24FBH29dogq8kwplqmKEct2Fm1_GXsPSTpA8304wPhWt-Jr8lB-9yK6L-WZeZ9jeYitx6er1u57rqa4Y40/s320/IMG_4178.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com/">www.dellsbellsweddingchapel.com</a></span></div>
<br />Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-81400754386192937342013-04-25T00:10:00.000-07:002013-04-25T01:09:19.627-07:00Dells Bucket List #20 - Going behind-the-scenes of Taste of New Orleans restaurant <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Eating
authentic food from one of my favorite cities is usually something I only
experience while on vacation. Being it’s been a couple years since my last
visit, having the opportunity to enjoy delicious Cajun cuisine right here in
the Dells, saving me the over one thousand mile trip south, definitely made my
recent stop at the Taste of New Orleans restaurant a highly enjoyable one. </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Taste
of New Orleans is owned by Sam Rotolo and his wife June, who opened the growing
restaurant back in 2008, and has nearly doubled its sales every two years. Not
knowing what to expect when he started this unique restaurant in a tourist
town, he told me: “I didn’t figure it would last more than three weeks! Our
biggest problem our first year was, the first three months, was not ordering
enough food!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Having
worked out the kinks of opening a restaurant that serves original New Orleans
fare so far from home, Sam, who I found to be an extremely warm and colorful
character, masterfully creates the flavor of southern Louisiana where he was
born and raised. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UOdyKgN5mH9HF1Ibu7s-tRFJ76hVu_vd0NFsDHkSNf62l30epP8RIORXOaAMu-PLjsn_tEPPL8ijnrfo2bBnm7opTmcbJiMGsszhboxyEjeK6zgxaAE7AEb493i_OO2UlI1QgcDVU0E/s1600/bucket+list+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UOdyKgN5mH9HF1Ibu7s-tRFJ76hVu_vd0NFsDHkSNf62l30epP8RIORXOaAMu-PLjsn_tEPPL8ijnrfo2bBnm7opTmcbJiMGsszhboxyEjeK6zgxaAE7AEb493i_OO2UlI1QgcDVU0E/s200/bucket+list+080.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">While
primarily learning the culinary art from his mother, who was a registered chef,
he perfected his craft by trading recipes late nights as a commercial fisherman
while catching oysters, shrimp, and crab in the bayou, as well as working as a
cook in numerous restaurants and country clubs: “I’ve cooked in every rat-hole
kitchen in the city of New Orleans!” </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I asked him what brought him to the Dells, he joked: “Made a wrong turn on the
interstate!” In reality, he was turned-on to the Dells while on the road
selling Native American regalia at a horse show. Having heard the town’s
heritage matched part of his own, he eventually made his way here and opened a
store called Sage Brush Jewelry, which sold Indian artifacts. The store was
open for six years before he ventured back into the restaurant business. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I first arrived at the restaurant I was kindly greeted by Mary Jo, a waitress
who brought me a hot cup of chicory coffee, immediately taking me back to my
visits to New Orleans famous Café Du Monde. While sipping the tasty brew, I
wandered around the large restaurant decorated with numerous cultural items,
bringing back further fond memories of one America’s most unique cities. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX444P8NPN9D5ZZILUZD4XVH_E-Nd21vW9nE52SUVjJ_2LDrds3wzWREkIm0e-cT-I7WlXevVTPXKANU3Up9koekIrls8nIE6ngLyfSR3pXVvLkFfmmVoGx3CJ8GDGfDHiUUutjhV51u4/s1600/bucket+list+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX444P8NPN9D5ZZILUZD4XVH_E-Nd21vW9nE52SUVjJ_2LDrds3wzWREkIm0e-cT-I7WlXevVTPXKANU3Up9koekIrls8nIE6ngLyfSR3pXVvLkFfmmVoGx3CJ8GDGfDHiUUutjhV51u4/s200/bucket+list+049.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sam’s
latest acquisition for the place is a twelve foot mounted alligator, which he believes
was killed by one of his friends featured on the History channel show: Swamp
People. Having killed a few hundred alligators himself back in the day, he
recently went down to the bayou to visit with some of his old pals, and brought
back autographs pictures of the now celebrities to display on the restaurant
walls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Eager
to try some of the food, Sam brought me into the kitchen, where I found a few
of his chefs getting ready for the day. Sam told me that much of his food is brought
up all the way from New Orleans to keep things genuine, and that he goes
through over a hundred pounds of a secret seasoning a year, which he gets from
a ninety-four year old man that has been making it down there for years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After
demonstrating some of the various cooking techniques he uses, it was hard not
to want to try all the tasty sounding dishes he was describing. Having written
two cookbooks that he sells at the restaurant, he told me he shared many of his
personal recipes, but just don’t expect to find out how to make his Cajun
potato salad the exact same way he does. “Some things have to be kept a
secret,” he said with a smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXBYsuh6sHSUJ6_LbP5pOyOBGVAmT0qiu7Jsc8Jv-4uU-S_30AH9S04F2-tKmZ9bgA_xqdRxS-bGZjRWsoBnZvj7Nb1ylr0bx1qupywP2dyrDsxU1St3_QWx4YdRLR5Qu7UH2Y3Y3fiI/s1600/bucket+list+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXBYsuh6sHSUJ6_LbP5pOyOBGVAmT0qiu7Jsc8Jv-4uU-S_30AH9S04F2-tKmZ9bgA_xqdRxS-bGZjRWsoBnZvj7Nb1ylr0bx1qupywP2dyrDsxU1St3_QWx4YdRLR5Qu7UH2Y3Y3fiI/s200/bucket+list+066.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Saying
that his deep fried catfish is to die for, he brought me out a plate, which
admittedly was quite good and not greasy at all. A bowl of gumbo on the side
had just the right kick, and for dessert was a plate of his special River Boat
Bread Pudding with hot rum sauce, made the exact same way his grandmother made it
working on the famous Creole Queen riverboat, which sailed on the Mississippi
River. It literally melted in my mouth.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Having
tasted just a few of his family recipes, it was pretty obvious that “family” is
a reoccurring theme you’ll find while visiting the restaurant. Along with the nice
family atmosphere, Sam, who is a great story teller and quick with the jokes,
told me that he tries to greet each and every guest during their meal. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
talking about his customers he said: “They come here once, twice, and back, and
everyone is on a first name basis. Well, I might not remember everybody’s first
name, but we don’t forget a loving face. And we hug, I bet you I’ve hugged and
kissed half my customers! Because we’ve just become family, and I think that’s
important. That you have camaraderie between your customers and yourself. When
I sign my cookbooks I always say: Good food makes good friendship.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxto3JMXcnhMibx_ryjqYJy3dwkhbi3nHDEZ0gvayt-0jCrn4CKXFNAgqRBB6qpDEFxi294nHshjXYAOzQziGym-xiQcmiaUSZj1EqS6qRF6Y7Yl4VXZQJeszLBnMJhpDmVAfDwjzVTQ/s1600/bucket+list+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxto3JMXcnhMibx_ryjqYJy3dwkhbi3nHDEZ0gvayt-0jCrn4CKXFNAgqRBB6qpDEFxi294nHshjXYAOzQziGym-xiQcmiaUSZj1EqS6qRF6Y7Yl4VXZQJeszLBnMJhpDmVAfDwjzVTQ/s200/bucket+list+076.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Having
only met him once, but already feeling like he is now a friend, I asked him how
it felt to bring a little something from home to share in the Dells. He told
me: “Me and my wife really worked hard at this. We are very proud at what we
got, and you know at night I walk up on the balcony to do the money after
closing, and I look down at the place and I say – damn this was my dream and
I’m living it now.” </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Taste
of New Orleans is open seven days a week April through September, weekends
March and October. After that, Sam goes down south to go fishing. For more
information visit: <a href="http://www.atasteofneworleanswisconsindells.com/">www.atasteofneworleanswisconsindells.com</a> or call
608-254-2020</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">- Christopher Dearman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN6KRzQKFymX3GrY03eb5avgpajk25jm8l3UVQkyTnVQFzY3zf2-PkB2lnnxTn95Fn3g6_c3YTkoH2e92q63ZYdXzqvIOX7VrD1AZbndiVtTsuM9W11muc4LxJ4WvmzpGRxrfK5-EKec/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN6KRzQKFymX3GrY03eb5avgpajk25jm8l3UVQkyTnVQFzY3zf2-PkB2lnnxTn95Fn3g6_c3YTkoH2e92q63ZYdXzqvIOX7VrD1AZbndiVtTsuM9W11muc4LxJ4WvmzpGRxrfK5-EKec/s200/IMG_3700.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-64357233043272273092013-04-24T23:56:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:16:49.139-08:00Interview with Taste of New Orleans restaurant owner Sam Rotolo<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Taste of New Orleans restaurant
in downtown Dells has brought the taste of fine southern Louisiana cooking to
both locals and visitors alike, for the past six seasons. Recently, I got to
spend a few hours with owner Sam Rofolo, who kindly shared with me stories of
his colorful life, the history of the restaurant, as well as some of his
delicious Cajun food. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKskWCGXPCoFdZDBAH7cSl4oryLCXtQuYiL0CDMDVjOs0_ztBLxV1XBpNc-ZzDC9ewD7EWfeUnlTlhlc36xAqoY9wJPhfcHw9XuGDBZIG0p7SmNnoM_YvR2snTAGR0EoJ8VcXKrKElqGM/s1600/bucket+list+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKskWCGXPCoFdZDBAH7cSl4oryLCXtQuYiL0CDMDVjOs0_ztBLxV1XBpNc-ZzDC9ewD7EWfeUnlTlhlc36xAqoY9wJPhfcHw9XuGDBZIG0p7SmNnoM_YvR2snTAGR0EoJ8VcXKrKElqGM/s320/bucket+list+014.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></b></div>
<a name='more'></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHRIS DEARMAN: I can sort of tell
by your accent, but I’m guessing you’re originally from Louisiana?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SAM
ROTOLO: <i>Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Went to college at U of L in
Lafayette – Ragin’ Cajuns you know.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So, what brought you up to the
Dells?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Made
a wrong turn on the interstate! (laughs)</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I can definitely see that
happening, but I imagine there’s a little more to it…</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Actually
my wife and I are part Native American, and we were doing a show in Iowa, a
horse show. Some guy had seen our outfit. We had a 20 by 20 square foot area
with Native American regalia – jewelry, artifacts, stuff like that. We had been
selling this stuff on the road for eleven years. And so a guy came up and said:
“Man that would go good in the Dells!” And I said – where the hell is the
Dells? (laughs) </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So,
we came up to the Dells, being a Native American town. We got lucky enough to
get a place right on Broadway, just two doors down from here, so we stayed
there for almost six years. Called the place Sage Brush Jewelry. So, people
would come in and ask: “Where’s a good place to eat?” I’d say, well, you got
Famous Dave’s, you got Culvers… “Oh, we can get that in Chicago.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So my wife said: “Why don’t we open up a
restaurant again…”</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So, this wasn’t your first
restaurant?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
is my third one. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What were the others?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I had
one just outside of New Orleans in Waveland, MS – the hurricane took that one
out. We lost that to Katrina. A couple years before Katrina, we were doing
wonderful – it was called the Roundtable. We would sit 15-20 people at the one
big roundtable, and we would put all the food in bowls. We had a Lazy Susan and
just spin the bowls and take what you want. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then I
had one in New Mexico that went over real big. I had a partnership though, and
the partnership didn’t work. So, those two didn’t last too long. For this one, I
told the wife if we were going to do this, we were going to do it ourselves. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What year was this? When did
Taste of New Orleans open?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2006,
three weeks before Memorial Day. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Are you open year round?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No, in March
are weekends only, unless spring break falls like it does now. Then, we stay
open full time until September. October is weekends only. We shut down the last
day of October and then we go fishing! </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Did you have an anxiety about
opening a restaurant up here in the Dells?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
didn’t figure it would last more than three weeks! Our biggest problem our
first year was, the first three months, was not ordering enough food! We didn’t
anticipate that kind of reaction. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So it was a success pretty much
right from the start? That’s pretty impressive.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
guess the most impressive thing is that my landlord let me open this up not
thinking I’m going to make it. He and one of his buyers didn’t think I had a
chance. He’s a very good friend of mine, but he said: “There is no way he is
going to make it; I don’t give him three months.” So, the other night, about
three nights ago, they came in and sat right there – they’ve been here several
times, but never late at night, they always sit with me at my table. So, they
sat in the front, and all this was lit up (fountain, and main dining room), and
he looked at me and says: “Sam, this is the most gorgeous place ever. I love
it, you did a great job. I’m so proud of you.” And when I hear that, and I go
back six years ago and hear: “You’re not going to make it, but we’re going to
let you try. I’ll take your rent money, but I don’t think you’re gonna make it.”
So, every time I see him I say – we’re still doing good! </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This place is pretty impressive.
I remember when you first came up here that it wasn’t quite as big…</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We’ve
gone from a 60K a year place serving just </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">po’ boys, jambalaya and gumbo<span class="st">, to now
being up to three quarters of a million a year. </span>Every two years we’ve
damn near double our sales! <span class="st">We’ve expanded three times, went
from thirty-five seats to now three hundred. I tell myself though; we’re not
quite there yet. So, I guess that’s my, you put your chest out and beat it like
a gorilla. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Speaking of your chest, what’s
that on your necklace, an alligator tooth?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s
a thirteen foot alligator that we caught many, many years ago. This particular
one came from my buyer, she had it mounted, and we sell the teeth now. I put it
on here to remind me of the one that bit me!</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You’ve been bitten by an alligator?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh yeah,
I once got split here to here (motions a large section across his stomach) when
one cut me open when I was twenty-two years old. This tooth is <span class="st">not
the one that bit me though. We sold him – we took the $1300 cash instead of the
teeth! (laughs)</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So, back to the restaurant a bit.
Over the past six years it sounds like you’ve grown it quite substantially. I
bet it’s taken quite a bit of work…</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’m
almost there, but I feel like I’m walking on eggs, any moment something can go
wrong. I’m here from eight in the morning, to eleven o’clock at night every day.
I never take a day off. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
definition of a restaurant is 800 heads of cattle and they all sick! (laughs) </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s a lot
of work, you know. You got employment problems, rent problems, customer
relationship problems. You’re constantly juggling – like walking on eggs
everyday – not to make somebody upset with you. With your cooking or your
attitude. You have a waitress that doesn’t come in and you’re shorthanded. You
got a cook that’s sick, then in the back you don’t have enough help. So, you’re
constantly in a turmoil trying to make everything just right so that when you
open that door, you can greet that customer with a smile, and give them the
best thing they ever put in their mouth.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
what true love of culinary is, being able to put the very best in someone’s
mouth. The money is fine, don’t get me wrong, but the compliment is much more
rewarding. Sometimes you just live for a nice compliment to make your day feel
so wonderful, cause that’s what you open this up for. We enjoy the people here
– a lot of times I feel my customers aren’t my customers…</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What do you mean by that?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They
actually feel – they become family. They come here once, twice, and back and
everyone is on a first name basis. Well, I might not remember everybody’s first
name, but we don’t forget a loving face. And we hug, I bet you I’ve hugged and
kissed half my customers! Because we’ve just become family, and I think that’s
important. That you have camaraderie between your customers and yourself. When
I sign my cookbooks (he has written two of them that can be purchased at the
restaurant) I always say: Good food makes good friendship.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I looked through your cookbooks, and
there were a ton of recipes in there that I would love to try. Do you feel
like it’s your job to help spread the word about the New Orleans culture to the
people up here to those that might not ever experience things down there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I feel
like I am the only ambassador here for New Orleans, and I want people to go to
New Orleans. I want people to enjoy the culinary there, go down and see the
love in New Orleans, the camaraderie of having such a wonderful loving, very
romantic place. Old or ancient if you want to call it.<span class="st"></span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’ve actually been to New Orleans
several times. It’s one of my favorite U.S. cities…</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s
wonderful down there. We actually just got back from Mardi Grai. I haven’t made
it to Mardi Grai in about fifteen year’s cause I’ve been so busy working. We
went up on the bayou, that’s where I was born and raised, on the bayou up in Galliano,
just outside of New Orleans. We used to commercial shrimp, me and my wife, for fifteen
years. We got down there and everybody on the float knew me – and we just got
bombarded with beads! We came back with like 21K pairs of beads – so it was
really a lot of fun.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I was going to ask you, do you
have any good stories about Grai? I’ve been three times, but don’t seem to
remember too much of my time partying down there – drank too many hurricanes!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well
you know Mardi Grai, it’s “Throw me something mister!” It’s being that you’re
getting a little something for free, and where in this world can you enjoy the
biggest party on earth, for free. I mean, you got a get a hotel room and all
that, but you don’t have to pay for the excitement. You don’t have to pay for
the music. You don’t have to the glory of getting something for nothing. Just a
little trinket makes you feel so good, but what is really nice about it, is
watching everybody else have such a wonderful time. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">All the first timers? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh
yeah. We brought one of my workers that has been with me five years to New
Orleans, and she went to the Mardi Grai. She was like: “I will never miss this
again!” She just loved it that much. Of course, you also got the ones that
flash the boobs and all that – so it’s a lot of fun. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You ever get any woman in the
restaurant flashing for beads after a few cocktails?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh
yeah, it happens! (laughs) But, I think the biggest thing about being down
there is that you eat, you drink, you have a good time and then you come from
Mardi Grai and say: “Let’s go get a snack!” New Orleans is a snack town, you always
want to go and try to munch on something wonderful. We say in New Orleans,
every time you eat, should be an experience not just a habit. You don’t want to
just go and stick a hamburger in your mouth. You want something that’s really
wonderful. We have a saying in Southern Louisiana. We say, some people stay
alive by eating – but we stay alive just to get to the next meal! (Laughs) </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Barbara
came with us this time to New Orleans and she said that the one thing that I
took away from this – when we went down to see your family and all that, is
you-all people eating supper, and you’re talking about the next meal while
you’re still eating! You-all just in love with the food! </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Speaking of Southern Louisiana,
did you always want to be a chef, or did you have other jobs down there while
growing up?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well,
I’ve been a commercial fisherman. In Louisiana we have four seasons – just like
you-all have four seasons up here, but ours are: oyster, shrimp, crab and
fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, each season, you’re
changing over to something else – crabbing season is late summer, shrimping is
in the middle of the summer, oystering is in the winter, and fishing is in dead
winter – when it really, really gets cold. The red fish and the speckled trout
come in. So, you have the four seasons that you can actually make a living on. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Did you have different types of
boats for each?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Same
boat, but you had to change up the gear for each season. Take the nets off, and
put the oyster rakes up. You take the oyster rakes off, and put the crab traps
on. You take the crab traps off and you’re filling it up with fishing poles –
it’s always something. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now before that you worked at
different restaurants?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’ve
cooked in every rat-hole kitchen in the city of New Orleans! (laughs) But yeah,
I worked at Court of Two Sisters’ for a while, and in the back quarters. We did
all the major country clubs like the Covington Country Club. I worked at the
Slidell Country Club, that’s where you make your most money, cause they are
willing to pay the chefs top dollar for what they know. In fact, that’s how I
met my wife, she was working as a waitress at the country club and I was a
cook. It made a nice happy medium. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Most
of the time though, I worked with my mother, she was a registered chef. I
learned most of her recipes from her.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Would you say your primary
culinary experience would then be from your mom teaching you?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yes,
most of our recipes are from my mother, or from family. Also, being on the
bayou when we would shrimp at night, you would throw the anchor, and another
boat would tie up to yours. We would put the boats back to back, and you would
visit. They would bring some of their food, we would bring some of ours, and it
be: “Boy that’s good, how did you make it?” And so you start swapping recipes
of what you like. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
probably the biggest thing on the bayou. Everybody wants to know everybody’s
recipes. So, you have a lot Cajun cooking, you have a lot of Creole cooking,
you have a lot of French cooking. What’s unique about Louisiana is this one
thing – you got about seven or eight ethnic groups, and everybody wants to try everybody’s
seasonings. “I bet you that would be good in my gumbo!” – as they would talk to
an Italian, or they would talk to a Spanish person, or they would talk to a
German. Like for example, my mother was part German, she made German potato
salad, but then we kind of grew into making Cajun potato salad, by adding
shrimp and crab into the potato salad. Now you have a Cajun potato salad. So,
it’s kinda like you’re sitting there and taking your ethnic food, and
re-inventing it. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So, you basically grew up with
cooking, and have been putting your own spin on it ever since? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yeah,
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">you know what
does a person good, when they’re going into a culinary field, is that you work
with this great chef for a little while, then this great chef for a little
while, and then you change over to another great chef. You pick up a bit of
each of their creativity, and then you begin to smart smashing their types of
meals together, and making your own thumbprint. That’s the difference between a
chef, and a cook. A cook mocks somebody, a chef creates. And that’s what’s
important, to be in life where you have your signature foods, that ties into
you. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">People
have been really excited about my food. I was really amazed to the fact that
people actually like spice and they like it hot. Some people would come in from
Louisiana and ask us if we can make it extra hotter, but some don’t, so we cook
it generally mild. Then we add the spice if you want it extra spicy. There are
two or three items that we don’t change the recipe on though, the gumbo, the
jambalaya is spicy. I tell them right up front, that’s the way it’s made; I’m not
going to change my recipe. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’m a
creative chef with over 180 items on our menu – and out of the 182, twenty-seven
are my creations from scratch, and they’ve been really, really phenomenal with
the people. They come in here and experience a different type of food. They
keep wanting more and more and more, so we keep creating new stuff. As we grow
we eliminate some things and then create new ones. We got a new dish called the
Swap Burger…</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What’s that consist of?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I never
thought that it would work, but you got to try… and my guinea pigs are my
people, so my waitresses, my chefs in the back, there my guinea pigs. I’ll get
in the back and start creating something, so I took shallots and onions, ground
beef and ground pork, blended them together, puts some egg, some breadcrumbs,
then I threw in shrimp and crab…</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sounds pretty good so far…</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then I batter
it, in an egg wash, batter in some cornflower, and then I deep fry it. And when
it comes out, the quick heat of 350 degrees marinates and smashes the crab into
the ground beef, and it causes a chemical reaction that causes a wonderful
flavor. Then when it comes out we put it on a po’boy, and we put mayonnaise
sauce on it. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So, I
made of like eight of them and gave them to the employees. They are the ones
that puts stuff on and takes stuff off the menu. They thought I should buy a
half page ad and put it in the newspaper – the new swamp burger. And of course
we are going to marinate that with our swamp fries.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What’s that?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s a
Louisiana tradition to put brown gravy on top of the fries and put a cheese
sauce on top of that. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Wow, that sounds like quite the
combo. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
main thing is that I want to tell the entire world is that when you take a
taste of food, you should taste the bouquet, the flavor, you should experience
something that is wonderful in your mouth – it should be a party! It doesn’t
have to be hot, it doesn’t have to be spicy, just good Cajun cooking, I don’t
care if it’s my food, or wherever you go in the world, the first bite you
should be able to taste the bouquet, the second bite should have a little bit
of spice, by the third bite, it should be hot, you should drink a little pop,
take a little bit of beer or something, to wash it away, so it’s no longer hot.
Then you start over, taste the bouquet again, and keep going… </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Looking around here, the décor’
and memorabilia looks as unique as your food sounds. Where did you get all this
stuff? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Me and
my wife by ourselves collected everything, and put everything in here. We built
our own tables, we got the fountain specially made out of California, all the
portraits you see here we took with a little Cannon One-shot camera, and then
went to a billboard company and had them put on vinyl. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
shrimp wheel came off my shrimp boat, the crab nets gave us a fit, the lobster
trap we got, I got my daddies old hunting traps, muskrat traps, got them handing
on the wall. The little shack in the back – that’s a replica of my hunting
camp. We have two stuffed otters, two raccoons, two possums, two minks that we
picked up at the same time we bought the twelve foot alligator that’s new this
year.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I saw that, it’s quite
impressive! </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I used
to alligator hunt when I was younger. My father was a trapper and so was I. I
used to alligator hunt out of an airboat. So we went down to the bayou in
February and picked this up from some of the guys that are on the show Swamp
People. I got autographed pictures of them on the walls. We went and visited
Willie and junior, Bruce and his dog Tyler, I used to buy my alligator meat
from his father-in-law, he lives right behind his father in law, so that’s how
I know him. Then Willie and junior are from Pierre Port area and we know them,
so we went down and seen them this past year. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">While we
were down there, we were kinda looking at Pierre Port area, so we’re pretty
sure that’s where going to buy a retirement home. I want to get my airboat
again, I love them airboats. When I was younger, the one I had a long time ago
was ancient, today they’re modern and have big engines on them. They go fast,
but I’m too old to go too fast! (laughs)</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you have any crazy stories
from your time down on the bayou? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We sometimes
accidently caught turtles in our throw nets, and I had to give a turtle mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation to keep it alive once! Because some turtles are illegal to catch,
they’re protected, and if you’re caught, cause normally I would cook them up
and eat it, but on this particular occasion it was an endangered species, so I
gave it mouth to mouth resuscitation to revive it and put it back in the water.
(laughs)</span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So yeah,
we do a lot of stupid things in Louisiana, but we’re – let me tell you about Louisiana
people – specially the Cajuns, down south bayou people. We like to make fun of
ourselves, and enjoy you laughing with us, but don’t you laugh at us. We are
very, very hard workers; we’ll give you the shirt off our back, but don’t take
it. And that’s just the way we are. We’ll do anything for you, you’re our
friends. We don’t know any strangers.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well I have to say, you have
certainly made me feel like a friend today. Inviting me to your restaurant has
made me feel like I was back in Louisiana, and now I’m anxious to get back! </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
I’ve tried to do here, because you want to be psychological about things, is
that I’m in Yankee Country, and I don’t want to be in Yankee Country mentally.
I want to be home. So, the restaurant is really decorated like my home. I want
to feel like I’m coming to <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work</span>, no,
I want it to feel like I’m coming to my <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">house</span>.
People come here to eat, and I want them to understand that they are not coming
into my restaurant; they are coming into my home. Come in to enjoy my food and
southern hospitality. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
how we feel. Me and my wife really worked hard at this. We are very proud at
what we got, and you know at night I walk up on the balcony to do the money
after closing, and I look down at the place and I say – damn this was my dream
and I’m living it now. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">Thank you Sam for taking the time to speak with me today, and for your hospitality. The food was delicious!</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></i></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-40178670589147127192013-04-05T00:16:00.000-07:002013-04-24T23:56:49.676-07:00TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">COMING SOON!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAaUXsgCGRRSn7V2PtUsp56orBn9t1GGFGUtxPxseLzxCDCLU4qe9nj5Vn64sKxRL-2RN8zA1o4g4PrDYxn-mkSat8PHuM8A-MQghdz5tRpKn_JFZN968P6HXfJPIynoUpVh6YnSWtpQ/s1600/TONO+bucket+list+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAaUXsgCGRRSn7V2PtUsp56orBn9t1GGFGUtxPxseLzxCDCLU4qe9nj5Vn64sKxRL-2RN8zA1o4g4PrDYxn-mkSat8PHuM8A-MQghdz5tRpKn_JFZN968P6HXfJPIynoUpVh6YnSWtpQ/s320/TONO+bucket+list+004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.atasteofneworleanswisconsindells.com/">www.atasteofneworleanswisconsindells.com</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWZNgTpxD8Va1H6kbX4QbB2M6HzcqOTA4m_fQVrdhjHsKyhHR12NmIJ2PfyUbFmfbPZIWMmJCZHeLEzJsNU91m1YCbQAaEz1FoSutL9pKuzWkoLPMalR0qav8YIcwAMQzpzWkj8VMfCI/s1600/bucket+list+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWZNgTpxD8Va1H6kbX4QbB2M6HzcqOTA4m_fQVrdhjHsKyhHR12NmIJ2PfyUbFmfbPZIWMmJCZHeLEzJsNU91m1YCbQAaEz1FoSutL9pKuzWkoLPMalR0qav8YIcwAMQzpzWkj8VMfCI/s200/bucket+list+080.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-23886316425646822162013-04-03T00:56:00.000-07:002013-04-06T00:58:22.576-07:00Dells Bucket List #19 - Going behind the-scenes of Fawn Creek Winery<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having the opportunity to sample a large variety of
locally made wine, especially after learning firsthand how each was produced
from start to finish, is an experience I won’t soon forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently, I had the chance to go behind-the-scenes of
Fawn Creek Winery, located in a maple, oak and pine grove about ten miles north
of downtown Wisconsin Dells. There, I was explained the wine making process by
their experts, as well as had the chance to enjoy many of the thirteen
different wines that they produce. </span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In January of 2011, siblings Dan Hanson, Pam
Genrich, Sally Haberkorn, and Susan Hanson, along with their spouses Diane
Hanson, Jim Genrich, and Dan Haberkorn, assumed the former Tourdot Winery, and have
grown the business tremendously ever since. </span></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While admitting that there were some
growing pains from developing so fast in the beginning, things are now running
smoothly, and they hear nothing but positive remarks. “We had a five year plan,
and we’re already at the fifth year – only two years in.” said Dan Hanson,
while giving me a tour of the facility that was built by his father Sheldon
Hanson and brother-in-law/part-owner Dan Haberkorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipquEwZ0rVYcRtenJTWPArhbP70n7cBRQW9vA-qvbYkCAx5H9x0dhduHL_Rl43QiRrE06eSu8DYIwb4ipqzA7JXouq6sPmAlTRkaGp3YWwsMa9C96iJropLvJNVjZ5KU8Kmo7m31PVxcw/s1600/fawn+creek+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipquEwZ0rVYcRtenJTWPArhbP70n7cBRQW9vA-qvbYkCAx5H9x0dhduHL_Rl43QiRrE06eSu8DYIwb4ipqzA7JXouq6sPmAlTRkaGp3YWwsMa9C96iJropLvJNVjZ5KU8Kmo7m31PVxcw/s200/fawn+creek+035.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seeing the various tools of the
trade, I learned that all Fawn Creek wine is made by hand</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,
using world renowned grapes that come crushed and de-stemmed from Lodi,
California. In addition to this, last year they planted a three acre vineyard
on the property, which they’ll use to create their own estate wines in a couple
years when the vines produce grapes. </span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hanson told me that they use the Australian Method
to produce the wine. This means it’s created in stainless steel tanks, rather
than the “old school” way which is done in barrels. The reason behind this is
that stainless steel tanks allow much more versatility, as they can be cleaned
out and used to create many different types of wine. Oak barrels on the other
hand, besides being quite expensive, must strictly be used to only produce the
same type of wine each and every time.</span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZX0oMXYMgY7DECj4FHtl-bF1qgb8ftA2qew0j69NNCnF9vFhXpy4Lyk6Z0odKMfOXzPfLKOz9bGwQ78Lo89xnDR9jvJz3lv6wCKcx02BJ9UrbboQdfj5B1QN7UdQ_vcsiVW_bVbt9wo/s1600/bucket+list+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZX0oMXYMgY7DECj4FHtl-bF1qgb8ftA2qew0j69NNCnF9vFhXpy4Lyk6Z0odKMfOXzPfLKOz9bGwQ78Lo89xnDR9jvJz3lv6wCKcx02BJ9UrbboQdfj5B1QN7UdQ_vcsiVW_bVbt9wo/s200/bucket+list+082.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Being <span class="">the </span>family owned winery
currently has eleven stainless steel tanks, ranging between two hundred and two
hundred and fifty gallons each, it makes for quite a bit of time spent cleaning.
Jim Genrich, the official winemaker of the group, explained: “<span class="">Ninety
percent of our wine making is the cleaning and sanitation to make sure the room
is in sterile condition – so that nothing but yeast ferments the wine.”</span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Genrich walked me through the complicated
wine making process, explaining to me the very specific, time sensitive steps
that are needed to turn grape juice into wine. I learned about primary fermentation,
the need to then “rack” the wine to remove sediments, then a secondary
fermentation, followed by the clearing and filtering of the wine. All of this
is done before it can go on to be bottled.</span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once the wine is ready, it is then
gravity fed to the basement, where Hanson explained that it’s currently a nine
person operation to get the wine ready to be shipped and sold. There’s one
person to wash the bottles, another to move them into what is called a six
bottle “hopper,” where the bottles are filled. Then they are moved to the
corker, a devise that is worked by hand to insert corks one at a time into each
bottle. Once the bottles are corked, another person covers the bottle necks
with foil, which is then taken by another to shrink the foil in place with a
thermal sealer. Another person wipes them all down, and yet another person uses
a hand rolling machine to put the Fawn Creek labels on.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz21o6xxsAHP5xdi_LSpgKBoI9tAeECTxGWhrWqahN-rmTPVQncz2viKU1ISSiDhnjWdUTxz4CvFeLd_wr6YPjOk1gXP7NxvRr-dI4W7i-2uIxeJ7Db5Com2aOrWJhPVTI4I1bg7V00s/s1600/fawn+creek+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz21o6xxsAHP5xdi_LSpgKBoI9tAeECTxGWhrWqahN-rmTPVQncz2viKU1ISSiDhnjWdUTxz4CvFeLd_wr6YPjOk1gXP7NxvRr-dI4W7i-2uIxeJ7Db5Com2aOrWJhPVTI4I1bg7V00s/s200/fawn+creek+012.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After hearing all this, I had to
ask just how many bottles are produced a year, and how long did it take to do
so. Hanson said: “When we first started it took us four hours to do nine
hundred bottles – now we do nine hundred bottles in an hour and twenty-five
minutes. It’s streamlined, now that we know what we’re doing! </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
first year, which was 2011, we bottled 28,000 bottles, and last year we did
52,000 bottles. We just went through an expansion where we doubled out tank
size, so now we have the capacity to do about 100,000 bottles a year. I believe
this year we should do about 70,000.” </span></div>
</div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Speaking of bottles, I thought it was pretty cool when
I found out that they <span class="">donate a dollar from each of their
Kilbourn Red bottles sold to the Kilbourn Volunteer Fire Department. Hanson
said: “Since a lot of us don’t live in the immediate area, we tried to do
something for the community. Last year was the first year we did it, and we
gave them a check for forty-one hundred dollars. They’ll be getting another one
again this year.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXRMFneC1iuCjRo-0SJhSwfn_UyU0qZXER5MQeGSAe9zzVfZL_Wt5xZMNt8KZy4IQtx4IDMJEC8yAXYAJWK_RgHUy9feGYoqGg6IjCTjhKt93Ker_fjExYE9paEfT-f0rrkULD5dRZXA/s1600/fawn+creek+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXRMFneC1iuCjRo-0SJhSwfn_UyU0qZXER5MQeGSAe9zzVfZL_Wt5xZMNt8KZy4IQtx4IDMJEC8yAXYAJWK_RgHUy9feGYoqGg6IjCTjhKt93Ker_fjExYE9paEfT-f0rrkULD5dRZXA/s200/fawn+creek+019.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Also on tap for this year are a
handful of special events. Their two year anniversary celebration is April 13<sup>th</sup>,
the return of their season Summer Sun wine with an after-hours party is April
27<sup>th</sup>, a BBQ/Blues Fest is on June 29<sup>th</sup>, a Hawaiian luau
pig roast is August 10<sup>th</sup>, and their 3<sup>rd</sup> annual Fall Fest
blowout party is set for October 5<sup>th</sup>. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fawn
Creek Winery is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays January through March, and seven
days a week April through December. Besides complimentary tastings, you will find
beautifully scenery, a large selection of wine for sale, as well as other wine-related
gifts. For more information visit: <a href="http://www.fawncreekwinery.com/">www.fawncreekwinery.com</a></span></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-31493725460029509992013-04-01T00:59:00.000-07:002013-12-02T19:12:26.191-08:00Interview with Fawn Creek Winery's Dan Hanson and Jim Genrich<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Fawn Creek Winery is a family run
business that has been producing a variety of fine wines in the Dells for the
past two years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />
Recently, I had the chance to spend the morning with two of the six owners, Dan
Hanson and Jim <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Genrich, who showed me
around the wine making facility, explained the wine making process, and poured
me samples of their delicious offerings.</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHCm3vGRCLTFhzmCiJRHG8RUy6chlpabbcVL0btXtubx-gAmdzRbt_rY8WleGcnWKKX3wlsr7ElJIb1E5ZDgIb2_7ghjTA49w5D1kBbCgk3gz5yn2vDT-b0GisTgScRUuoxnMUBwaInI/s1600/danandjim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHCm3vGRCLTFhzmCiJRHG8RUy6chlpabbcVL0btXtubx-gAmdzRbt_rY8WleGcnWKKX3wlsr7ElJIb1E5ZDgIb2_7ghjTA49w5D1kBbCgk3gz5yn2vDT-b0GisTgScRUuoxnMUBwaInI/s320/danandjim.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHRIS DEARMAN: So tell me a
little about how you got into the wine making business here in the Wisconsin
Dells. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">DAN
HANSON:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><i>My folks are from the Dells.
My mom and dad were both born and raised in the Dells. My sister Sue also lives
in the Dells. We basically have six partners here at the winery, me and my wife
Diane, my Brother-in-law Dan Haberkorn and his wife Sally, Jim Genrich, and
also my sister Susan Hanson. All family. It’s a family run business. We’ve
owned it for about two years, taking over business operations of the former
Tourdot Winery, which my sister was a part owner, in January 2011.</i></span> </span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s pretty neat to be able to run
a successful business with your family. Is this everyone’s primary employment,
or do you have other jobs as well? </span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We all
work forty hour a week jobs. My sister Sue is an emergency room nurse over in
Sauk County, so she works Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I’m semi-retired,
so I work Monday & Tuesdays. And then we all come up every weekend. So
that’s how it works. Our brother-in-law Jim, he actually has a vineyard over in
Portage. So he has a wine background. As well as my sister who was running it
before. I do the accounting and sales. We all do different jobs here.</span></span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How long has this place been
around for? </span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My dad
actually built this building, he and my brother-in-law. They built everything
in here. Built the deck, cabinets, shelves. Under Tourdot it was open for two
years, so the building is about five years old. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How did you come up with the name
Fawn Creek? My family used to have a vacation home down the road on Fawn Lake.
I’m assuming there is a Fawn Creek around here?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
actually an interesting story. I didn’t even know Fawn Lake was here when I
named it – I just came up with Fawn Creek for some reason. Just thought it
sounded cool. The first day me and Diana were driving here, we saw a sign that
said Fawn Lake, and was like – wow, that’s really weird! </span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Everyone
thinks we named it Fawn Creek because of Fawn Lake, but it was just totally a
coincidence, totally out of the blue. Maybe subconsciously I named it this
because my uncle, who lived in Texas, lived on Fawn Creek Drive or something.
But when we found out Fawn Lake here, and we saw a creek running out, I was
like – hopefully that’s called Fawn Creek! – but it’s not. (laughs)</span></span></span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I noticed the vineyard out back.
How big is it, and do you grow all the grapes for the wine you make here?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We have
a three acre vineyard that we started a little over a year ago. We basically are
going to have two varieties of grapes that we’re going to use to make our own
estate wines out of. We’re growing a Prairie Star, which is for a white wine,
and Frontenac, which is for a red wine. We’re about two years away, so were
probably looking at 2015 when we’ll be able to offer our own estate wines that
are grown from grapes from our own property. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So where do you get your grapes
from now?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Right
now, all our grapes come from Lodi, California. We buy through a broker out
there, so it all comes crushed and de-stemmed. All the wine is then made here
using the Australian Method, which means it’s created in stainless steel tank,
which we have eleven of.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is there a reason you choose
stainless steel tanks instead of barrels? </span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Most
wineries in California, the old-school way, is that they use barrels. The
reason we went with stainless steel tanks is because the cost to get into the
business. If you want to use oak barrels, the cost for them is quite high, Two
hundred to two hundred and fifty gallon oak barrels are very expensive. Also,
you can only use each barrel for one specific type of wine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">For
instance, let’s say you make a Chardonnay wine and you put it in an oak barrel.
That oak barrel can only be used for Chardonnay forever, or you would contaminate
the flavors. In the wine process you have to rack wines (move them), removing
all the sediment after fermentation. All the dead stuff sits at the bottom. So
with an oak barrel, you would have to move it into another Chardonnay oak
barrel. Here, we can move it from one tank to an empty one, clean it out, and
then we can put a Merlot in one that had a Chardonnay before. So that’s the
reason behind using stainless steel. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That makes sense. So, how many varieties
of wine do you make here?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Presently,
we make thirteen wines. We have two seasonal wines; our Summer Sun, which is a
tropical Viognier – that’s a summer wine, and then we have our Blackberry,
which is our seasonal fall wine. Then we have our whites: a Riesling, Chardonnay,
Pinot Grigio, and semi-sweet Riesling. Our reds are: Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet
Sauvignon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, really our niche in the
marketplace, is our fruit-flavored table wines, where we have a blackberry Merlot,
our tropical Viognier, a raspberry Pinot Noir, a Strawberry Zinfandel, our Kilburn
Red – which is a cranberry Shiraz, and then we have a Peach Chardonnay as well.
We carry those all the time. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you bottle them here?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Everything
is bottled here. Everything is made by hand in here as well – all the yeast is
put in, everything is done right here. Our first year, which was 2011, we
bottled 28,000 bottles – and last year we did 52,000 bottles. We just went
through an expansion where we doubled out tank size, so now we have the
capacity to do about 100,000 bottles a year. I believe this year we should do
about 70,000. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Wow, with all those glass bottles
around here, is there ever any breakage?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh
yeah, we break bottles! (laughs) </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you just sell wine here at the
winery, or do you sell it in stores as well?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We’re
carried throughout the state. We’re handled in the Fox Valley right now, and
primarily the western side of the state. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Out of the thirteen, which is
your personal favorite?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
personal favorite is our dry Riesling – which is made in a California style
(not too sweet).</span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Which would you say is the most
popular of the Fawn Creek wines?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Just
Peachy – which is a Peach Chardonnay. Then our 2<sup>nd</sup> would be the
Summer Sun, which is our tropical Viognier, our seasonal wine. Those two would
be our top sellers. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you get a lot of people that
do that swirling the wine around in their mouth and then spit it out thing?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No,
nobody spits it out – that’s only on TV! (laugh)</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I always thought that was a
stupid thing - seems like a waste to me! Are there any other favorites?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well with
locals, our Kilbourn Red is popular because we <span class="">donate a dollar
of every bottle sold to the Kilburn Volunteer Fire Department. Diane and I live
in Waterford, Jim lives in Elgin (Illinois), Sue in town, and Sally and Dan
live in Pardeeville. Since a lot of us don’t live in the immediate area, we
tried to do something for the community. Last year was the first year we did
it, and we gave them a check for $4100. They’ll be getting another one again
this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Since you’re a bit off the beaten
path, about ten miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Dells, what have
you done to make people aware of the winery?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Well, we
have a lot of signage. We also market with the Visitor’s Bureau, plus all the
time-shares, we heavily hit those. Have give-away programs with them. But probably
fifty percent of our customers come from
Google. If you Google “winery in Wisconsin Dells” and we pop up first – us and <span class="">Wollersheim winery (which is about 30 miles from the Dells in </span>Prairie
du Sac, WI).</i></span><span class=""></span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Speaking of Wollersheim, do you
have any friendly competition with them?</span></b></span><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No,
Wollersheim is the big-boy on the block – there is nobody in Wisconsin like
Wollersheim. They were just voted the winery of the year. They’re old school.
They have the caves and the 1800’s building – it’s nothing like where we’re at.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You just concentrate on carving
your own niche?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Exactly.
</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Can you tell me anything that
stands out that was memorable or out of the ordinary over the past two years?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Last
September we had our 1<sup>st</sup> wedding. We had ninety guests, and the
bride and groom got married right in the vineyard. The reception was in the
building and on the deck. That was our first wedding, and we got one or two
more planned. It’s not really something were pushing to do in the summer months,
but in April, May, September and October we don’t mind doing them.</i></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Can you tell me a little about
your future plans?</span></b></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
summer we’re going to be expanding our deck. Right now it handles ninety-six
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the new deck we figure we
can fit another sixty to seventy, so we’ll be able to hold about one hundred
and fifty people total. We have music Memorial Day through September – every
Saturday and Sunday in the afternoons. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We’re
also putting a thirty by sixty cement pad which can either be a party tent or
an additional tasting area. Right now we can only fit about fifteen people at a
time for a tasting in the winter due to being inside. So once we add the new
additions, we’ll be able to go to seventy-four people in the summer.</span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We’re
also having a BBQ and Blues Fest where blues bands will play, and we’ll serve
pulled pork and BBQ on July 29<sup>th</sup>. Then August 10<sup>th</sup> is
going to be our 1<sup>st</sup> annual Hawaiian Luau Pig roast. Our 3<sup>rd</sup>
annual Fall Fest is on October 5<sup>th</sup> – where we have crafters set up
here, and it’s kind of an end of the season blowout party. It’s going to be a
fun season!</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dan thanks for taking the time to
show me around and answer my questions. You have a pretty cool place here, and
I’m sure I’ll be coming back in the summer. </span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">---</span></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jim Genrich is part owner and
official winemaker of Fawn Creek Winery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grew up in Portage, WI and I learned that
he currently lives in my hometown of Elgin, IL, only a few blocks from my childhood
home. Jim was kind enough to explain the winemaking process in depth to me, as
well as pour numerous samples of his creations during my tasting. </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So, how did you learn to make
wine? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">JIM
GENRICH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>A lot was from making wine at
home – a lot of online learning, a lot of books, and then pure experimentation.
I also have about one hundred and fifty vines at my mom’s in Portage.</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’m a novice to winemaking, so can
you walk me through the process from start to finish? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well,
we get a concentrate from California, and then we constitute that concentrate. It
comes in a sixty-four bricks – and at sixty-four bricks it’s impervious to any
bacteria, yeast, mold, or anything. We then take and reconstitute it to twenty-three
bricks. When I talk about sixty-four bricks… </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yeah, what the heck is a brick – I
guessing it’s not the ones used to build houses right? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No,
it means sixty-four percent sugar – essentially it’s the measure of sugar
concentrate in there.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now do you add stuff to it to get
the different flavors, or does it come already with various flavoring? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
depends on what we’re making. If it’s one of the varietals, then it’s just the
straight grape juice we’re using. Then we ferment it. Most of them we ferment
dry, or with our Riesling we do two forms – we do a dry, as well as a
semi-sweet Riesling. We do that by stopping the process, so it still has some
of the residual sugar of the grapes inside there, which gives it a little bit
sweeter taste to it. </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So how long does the whole
process take?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
varietals – we’re running pretty close to about 70 days. When we put it in
primary for fermentation, it takes two to three weeks. So it’s 14-21 days to do
primary fermentation – that’s where the yeast converts the sugar.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And you put the yeast in there?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yes,
we put the yeast in there, and it converts the sugar into carbon dioxide –
essentially, alcohol. Those are the two main components.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few other things that come off, but
were looking for the alcohol in there. The carbon dioxide goes out the top of
the tanks through a one way valve – it escapes out of there. That takes about fourteen
to twenty-one days. Then we transfer it all out, because when the yeast runs
out of food, the yeast dies and falls to the bottom of the tank. Once it falls
to the bottom of the tank, what we do is we take the good liquid, the wine that
we want, and we transfer it all to another tank. We always have to have one
tank empty in the building at all times, because we always have to have the
ability to transfer from this tank to another one.</span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
essentially, we have eleven tanks in there, but we can only have ten of them
full at any point in time. So when we rack it, we transfer it from one tank to
another, leaving the sediment and stuff on the bottom of the tank. Then I drain
that, and it goes to a holding tank outside. It can’t go directly into our
septic because it has the yeast and stuff in there. It goes into the holding
tank and then we have that pumped periodically and removed. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What happens once you move the
good liquid to the empty tank? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
the good wine goes to a new tank, and then the next part of the process is
secondary fermentation. Not necessarily all the yeast has died, there might be
a little bit of sugar left in there, so we give that another probably two weeks
to finish up any fermentation that would be done and completed. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you have to keep the tanks at
a certain temperature?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Typically
we keep most of them at sixty-five to seventy degrees. That’s where we want to
keep most of them at. When the yeast gets going in there, they actually heat up
quite a bit inside. Yeast dies at about one hundred and four to one hundred and
five degrees Fahrenheit. Maybe slightly higher, one hundred and ten degrees or
so, but if it gets too hot the yeast will die. If it gets too cold, less than
fifty degrees, then it won’t reproduce and won’t do their job either. So we try
to keep it in an environment that is sixty-five to seventy degrees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you have control over how high
the alcohol content gets?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Around
twelve to thirteen percent alcohol – we have tools to monitor the alcohol
content. For table wines we can’t go over fourteen percent. We usually shoot
for twelve to twelve and a half so we have a little bit of room there. In case
the yeast ends up being a little more efficient than we expected it to be.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I’m sure there are rules on how
high it can go?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yes,
federal regulation – it’s all licensing. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So what happens after the
secondary fermentation? </span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Secondary
fermentation takes about two weeks, and then what happens after that is our
clearing time – where we put some things in there to allow the solids to clear
from the wine, and then filtering. We want most of the solids to fall down
naturally to the bottom of the tank, and then right before we bottle it though,
we filter it with a particle filter. The wine if forced through the filter, and
any of the solids or undesirables get caught, so it comes out clear.</i></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dan walked me through the
bottling process, but I forgot to ask, do you guys “age” the wine, or wait a
certain period of time before selling them?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Most
of the varietals we put in the bottles after seventy days, then it will rest in
the basement until we determine it has come into itself. We usually try to do
six months or longer. Six months to a year for the varietals, and the fruits, we
usually do those within two weeks. They are made to be made bottled and drank
shortly thereafter. They are meant to be drunk within a year, but the fruit
ones are in the tanks for about forty days. </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What’s your personal favorite?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
dry Riesling and the Chardonnay for the whites. For the reds, the Merlot
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the fruits, Just Peachy – it
almost tastes like you’re biting into a fresh peach! </span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thank you Jim for explaining the
process and letting me taste all this great wine!</span></b></span></div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-5731545291574364842013-03-25T00:06:00.003-07:002013-04-01T00:18:39.109-07:00FAWN CREEK WINERY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">COMING SOON!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzIA787ac3hD5ARuTw6sC7-toUOLmOcGuOLJ6FkxeJ94J9uf8AuW56JoQ7punRUrXfBnFH7oFL8TGz5EN8x_-XoE4wLadKR6PG9zW5gWSUgODAqgcoxFnTFl7h0C_ibJBLXyQ8NETU7U/s1600/fawn+creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzIA787ac3hD5ARuTw6sC7-toUOLmOcGuOLJ6FkxeJ94J9uf8AuW56JoQ7punRUrXfBnFH7oFL8TGz5EN8x_-XoE4wLadKR6PG9zW5gWSUgODAqgcoxFnTFl7h0C_ibJBLXyQ8NETU7U/s320/fawn+creek.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.fawncreekwinery.com/">www.fawncreekwinery.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx5Or7S8VunifNJHVmkhADO_x9GtxxfymhCDN9xQZYVu-00AcajWVjaJE9d9oW0VFNVlrHt8qeM5nx5NuaBwsffFHajEUwvxDvzjf8ecTMxinBCBqltL2SIH7pI4ru5tpWS1K5VBOLzk/s1600/bucket+list+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx5Or7S8VunifNJHVmkhADO_x9GtxxfymhCDN9xQZYVu-00AcajWVjaJE9d9oW0VFNVlrHt8qeM5nx5NuaBwsffFHajEUwvxDvzjf8ecTMxinBCBqltL2SIH7pI4ru5tpWS1K5VBOLzk/s200/bucket+list+096.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
Dells Bucket Listhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561322147314498579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2675707799306908030.post-62507452457936773392012-12-20T08:21:00.001-08:002013-12-02T18:49:08.854-08:00BUCKET LIST #18 - Making candy at BARABOO CANDY COMPANYEver since I watched the classic fantasy movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as a child, I’ve dreamed of one day having the chance to explore an actual chocolate factory. This childhood dream was recently realized when I had the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of the Baraboo Candy Company, home to numerous chocolaty confections.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The Baraboo Candy Company has been producing handmade gourmet chocolate treats for over thirty years. As the area’s largest chocolate factory and outlet, it is also recognized world-wide as the home of The Original Cow Pie!, as well as many other delicious cow-themed candies. <br />
<br />
Using only the finest ingredients to create their chocolates, including real butter and milk that comes from Wisconsin farms, throughout the year they will produce over a hundred different varieties of candy. To help aide in creating this large assortment, they utilize caramel, toffee, meltaways, fudges, brittles, and a variety of nuts such as pecans, cashews, peanuts, and macadamias.<br />
<br />
When I first arrived at Baraboo Candy, I was introduced to plant manager Tina David, who has worked for the company for sixteen years. As she showed me around the plant, I was able to take in the wonderful smells of fresh chocolate, which made me anxious to help make, as well as taste, some of the goodies that were being produced around me. <span id="goog_1578172248"></span><span id="goog_1578172249"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh8SpcDJRrg5vDUGYNc4z2wEi9jwk8rdusfEYmoAyGGemWZEaM9107yaEEsVodWRvPVrWQ_MeL7QTcw-f-eFTXwqACd50Vx1j3hkxLFxKVQWb7d0WFRVbv3scMU1mETZw4zcaF20Uljw/s1600/BARABOO+CANDY+COMPANY+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh8SpcDJRrg5vDUGYNc4z2wEi9jwk8rdusfEYmoAyGGemWZEaM9107yaEEsVodWRvPVrWQ_MeL7QTcw-f-eFTXwqACd50Vx1j3hkxLFxKVQWb7d0WFRVbv3scMU1mETZw4zcaF20Uljw/s200/BARABOO+CANDY+COMPANY+037.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I learned that there are four “lines” that are used to make the candies, each consisting of a conveyor belt that moves ingredients along to where melted liquid chocolate pours from pipes, covering the pieces with either dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or fudge. </div>
<br />
<br />
The candy then goes through a cooling tunnel that is kept at fifty-four degrees to cool them down, and the finished product comes out to the waiting hands of employees to eventually be packaged for sale. <br />
<br />
While interviewing Tina, she mentioned that since it was the busy season, she’d continue to work while answering my questions. I watched as she quickly placed small circles of fresh pecans covered in caramel, on the moving conveyor belt in row of six, ready to be smothered in rich milk chocolate. Thirteen minutes later, the end result was a fresh Mini Cow Pie!, a smaller version of the original. <br />
<br />
I asked Tina how The Original Cow Pie! came to be, and she told me that initially they used to make what was called a Jumbo Pecan Puddle, but a happy accident led to a change. “One day, a few of them got thrown down the belt upside down and my boss at the time said – Oh my gosh, it looks like a cow pie! – and that’s how it all started.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91qDHC9MYE8XqKayx65BPy7OcLx8t6MRwzyjLdRbuKjg7u3QzsphdxGeKgCjMKql6cIzBbJ7gyTuBX3E70zHzhx9aj3UXEU3TOFuu9hrzsFcGFq9GEwtnTls1vRbUG-3QaVCOsjKax5k/s1600/BARABOO+CANDY+COMPANY+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91qDHC9MYE8XqKayx65BPy7OcLx8t6MRwzyjLdRbuKjg7u3QzsphdxGeKgCjMKql6cIzBbJ7gyTuBX3E70zHzhx9aj3UXEU3TOFuu9hrzsFcGFq9GEwtnTls1vRbUG-3QaVCOsjKax5k/s200/BARABOO+CANDY+COMPANY+016.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While the imagery of cow dung is not something you would expect to go hand in hand with a desert treat, the playfulness of their cartoon cow mascot, as well as the fact that they taste delicious, makes the fun candy their best seller. When I asked Tina approximately how many were made a year, she said with a smile: “Well, generally we make about 1400-1500 every day. So if you want to do the math, I’ll let you do the math on that one!”</div>
<br />
Wanting to experience making some candy myself, I asked if I could lend a hand. After rolling out pecans on a sheet pan to prepare for dollops of caramel to be deposited on them, I went back to the milk chocolate line to attempt to replicate the rows of six I saw Tina do with ease. Using two hands, I started with just one cluster in each, which wasn’t too difficult to keep in uniform rows. Moving on to two in each hand was a little trickier, but I soon got the hang of it. My attempt at three in each hand however, failed miserably, reminding me a bit of the candy making scene in that classic I Love Lucy episode. That said, when one of the workers later brought me a bag of candy I played a part in making, they still tasted mighty delightful. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaWrl2BbDyu8gDdeOTd-XEugw4UJYnVsYBIUnmJPytX_FO565i-aUpIvdd1Es2YFxQkC5XeP7JO6RM1PJmt3vT0s7d97feY6jyqQHcSuMHPd_jVPM6skpZ1p-wb4htRf_rfrgjLk7-Wc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaWrl2BbDyu8gDdeOTd-XEugw4UJYnVsYBIUnmJPytX_FO565i-aUpIvdd1Es2YFxQkC5XeP7JO6RM1PJmt3vT0s7d97feY6jyqQHcSuMHPd_jVPM6skpZ1p-wb4htRf_rfrgjLk7-Wc/s200/2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Baraboo Candy Company is open seven days a week, and is located between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells, right across from Ho-Chunk Casino. While you won’t find any Oompa Loompa’s at the factory, they do serve free samples daily, and have a large assortment of their delicious wares that can be shipped nation-wide. </div>
<br />
For more information visit: <a href="http://www.baraboocandy.com/" target="_blank">www.baraboocandy.com</a> , to read the full interview with Tina, <a href="http://www.dellsbucketlist.com/2012/12/interview-with-baraboo-candy-company_14.html" target="_blank">visit: www.dellsbucketlist.com</a>, to see more pics of the factory visit the Dells Bucket List <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.462996553758033.105754.177829635608061&type=3" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR1uH-mL-pII8LV_IjmUgUHUqXUq7gmvjg8vglLpoMu66szUKbyAZCOkEQwHT-PWsRcMJaUdgsEVr2PkeLBWCJw3Cqmq3l9S42VjGmxnFgkZ5fCe9euh53U043PpvsR8bBzz7S-1MNU8/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR1uH-mL-pII8LV_IjmUgUHUqXUq7gmvjg8vglLpoMu66szUKbyAZCOkEQwHT-PWsRcMJaUdgsEVr2PkeLBWCJw3Cqmq3l9S42VjGmxnFgkZ5fCe9euh53U043PpvsR8bBzz7S-1MNU8/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Christopher Dearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06322939448473439621noreply@blogger.com