This episode of The Cabin Podcast is brought to you by Diamond Nexus: diamondnexus.com

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

The Cabin is presented by Badger State Brewing; https://badgerstatebrewing.com/

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://ho-chunknation.com/

Vote for your favorite fried cheese curd in Wisconsin; https://discoverwisconsin.com/wisconsins-best-cheese-curd-contest/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

The Del-Bar; https://www.del-bar.com/

Best Western; bestwestern.com

Vote for your favorite fried cheese curd in Wisconsin; https://discoverwisconsin.com/wisconsins-best-cheese-curd-contest/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT: https://www.wcaght.org/

Vote for your favorite Wisconsin cheese curd: https://discoverwisconsin.com/wisconsins-best-cheese-curd-contest/

Racine County: https://www.racinecounty.gov/

Shop Discover Wisconsin: shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Best Western; bestwestern.com

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring [ ] County; LINK

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Chippewa County; wicounties.org

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

Racine County; racinecounty.com

Best Western Hotels & Resorts; bestwestern.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://ho-chunknation.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Burnett County; wicounties.org

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

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

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Buffalo County; https://bit.ly/3d5bKNM

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

The Del-Bar; https://www.del-bar.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Brown County; wicounties.org

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

Shop DW; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

WCA; wicounties.org

Shop DW; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://ho-chunknation.com/

Shop DW; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

The Del-Bar; https://www.del-bar.com/

VISIT Lake Geneva; https://bit.ly/3LDyvx2

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Shop DW; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

Uniquely Wisconsin; https://discoverwisconsin.com/dw-uniquely-wisconsin/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Shop DW; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

Uniquely Wisconsin; https://discoverwisconsin.com/dw-uniquely-wisconsin/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Waushara County; https://bit.ly/2XUPK3D

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Enbridge; enbridge.com

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:
GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy
Racine County; racinecounty.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Ho-Chunk Nation; ho-chunknation.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:
GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy
Oak Creek; https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Green County; https://bit.ly/3iN2xvX

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Enbridge; enbridge.com

Shop Discover Wisconsin; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring La Crosse County; https://bit.ly/3i5t20l

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Racine County; racinecounty.com

Shop DW; Shop.discoverwisconsin.com

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Sauk County; https://bit.ly/36RRoVd

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

TDA; https://tdawisconsin.org/

Shop Discover Wisconsin: shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Enbridge; https://bit.ly/49sZC7u

TDA; https://tdawisconsin.org/

Shop DW; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Rock County; https://bit.ly/2THPoeX

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

The Del-Bar; https://www.del-bar.com/

TDA; https://tdawisconsin.org/

Racine County; https://www.racinecounty.com/

The Cabin is also presented to you by:
GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy
Oak Creek; https://www.oakcreekwi.gov
Best Western; https://www.bestwestern.com
TDA; https://tdawisconsin.org

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Ho Chunk Nation; https://ho-chunknation.com/

The Del-Bar; https://www.del-bar.com/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Enbridge; www.enbridge.com

Best Western; www.bestwestern.com

Pinno Buildings; pinnobuildings.com

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Price County; https://bit.ly/35xZdyJ

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; wcaght.org

Oak Creek; oakcreekwi.gov

Racine County; racinecounty.com

NAMI Walks; namiwalks.org

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Best Western; bestwestern.com

The Del-Bar; www.del-bar.com

NAMI Walks; www.namiwalks.org

Learn more: https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

VISIT Lake Geneva; visitlakegeneva.com

Enbridge; enbridge.com

NAMI Walks; namiwalks.org

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Lincoln County; https://www.co.lincoln.wi.us/

Best Western; www.bestwestern.com

The Del-Bar; https://www.del-bar.com/

Learn more: https://www.travelcalumet.com/

Known for transforming found wood into stunning 3D masterpieces—with no staining, no painting, just raw talent and a saw—Ike is redefining what repurposed art can be. We dive into his creative process, upcoming projects, and how he’s changing the game for sustainable art.

Stay tuned until the end for a special announcement on an upcoming project of his!

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Oak Creek; https://www.oakcreekwi.gov/

Pinno Buildings; https://pinnobuildings.com/

NAMI Walks; https://www.namiwalks.org/home

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Washington County; https://www.washcowisco.gov/

GHT; wcaght.org

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Oak Creek; oakcreekwi.gov

Enbridge; enbridge.com

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Waukesha County; https://bit.ly/2S2MUXn

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Visit Lincoln County; co.lincoln.wi.us

Ho-Chunk Nation; ho-chunknation.com

The Wisconsin State Fair takes place from now until August 10, 2025.

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Taylor County; https://bit.ly/32tImLV

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

VISIT Lake Geneva; visitlakegeneva.com

GHT; wcaght.org

The Cabin is also presented to you by:
SSfW; somethingspecialwi.com
Enbridge; enbridge.com
WCA; wicounties.org

Today’s bonus episode of The Cabin Podcast is brought to you by Oconto County.
Learn more about Oconto County; https://visitocontocounty.org/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association, and this week we’re featuring Iowa County; https://bit.ly/3upz4fD

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Washington County; washcowisco.gov

Ho Chunk Nation; ho-chunknation.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Oak Creek; oakcreekwi.com

Praise in the Pines; praiseinthepines.org

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Sawyer County; https://bit.ly/30P4a3G

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin ; https://www.somethingspecialwi.com/

VISIT Lake Geneva; visitlakegeneva.com

Enbridge; enbridge.com

The Cabin is brought to you by Lincoln County, where the Northwoods start and your adventure begins: co.lincoln.wi.us/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

Something Special from Wisconsin; somethingspecialwi.com

Praise in the Pines; praiseinthepines.org

WCA; wicounties.org

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Washington County; washcowisco.gov

Praise in the Pines; praiseinthepines.org

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Kewaunee County; https://bit.ly/3OjaoA3

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://ho-chunknation.com/

Visit Lake Geneva; https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Kewaunee County; https://bit.ly/3OjaoA3

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Oak Creek; oakcreekwi.gov

Praise in the Pines; praiseinthepines.org

Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCabinPodcast

The Cabin Podcast is brought to you by Washington County; washcowisco.gov

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Bayfield County; https://bit.ly/2MJP4sE

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Praise in the Pines; praiseinthepines.org

Lincoln County; https://www.co.lincoln.wi.us/

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Washington County; https://www.washcowisco.gov/

Best Western; bestwestern.com

If you or someone you love is struggling, please seek help using one of the resources listed below.

National Organizations:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): A leading grassroots mental health organization offering support, education, and advocacy. NAMI provides resources such as the NAMI HelpLine, where individuals can connect with trained specialists for assistance. nami.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA offers a wide range of resources, including a confidential National Helpline that provides treatment referrals and information on mental health and substance use disorders. samhsa.gov

MentalHealth.gov: This government site provides accessible information on mental health conditions, treatment options, and ways to get help and support. mentalhealth.gov

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH is the leading federal agency for mental health research and offers evidence-based resources for individuals, families, and professionals. nimh.nih.gov

Online Platforms & Support Lines
Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7, confidential support via text. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.

The Trevor Project: Provides life-saving crisis intervention and suicide prevention services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. thetrevorproject.org

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support for people in emotional distress or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Mindful.org: A platform offering tools, articles, and practices centered on mindfulness and meditation for mental well-being. mindful.org

Headspace: A subscription-based app that provides guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and stress-reduction tools. headspace.com

Psychology Today Therapist Directory: An easy-to-use directory that helps individuals find licensed mental health professionals in their area. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): A training program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many employers offer EAPs that provide confidential mental health counseling, support, and referrals to employees. https://bit.ly/4dqGIhP

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Ho-Chunk; https://ho-chunknation.com/

Pinno Buildings; https://pinnobuildings.com/

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we’re featuring Dunn County; https://bit.ly/3w0grm9

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Best Western: bestwestern.com

Oak Creek: https://bit.ly/3S2wMRs

This episode of The Cabin is brought to you by Ashland County; https://bit.ly/3y9QRtf https://bit.ly/42URQhV

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Visit Lake Geneva; visitlakegeneva.com

Best Western; bestwestern.com

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

The Cabin is also presented to you by:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Washington County; washcowisco.gov

Praise in the Pines; praiseinthepines.org

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association, and this week we’re featuring Clark County; https://bit.ly/3Kq5gHi

The Cabin is also presented to you by:
GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy
Best Western; https://bit.ly/3DNQDRa
Shop Discover Wisconsin; shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Gaming; https://www.ho-chunkgaming.com/ Praise in the Pines; https://praiseinthepines.org/

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

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Inside Sponsors:

Shop Discover Wisconsin; shop.discoverwisconsin.com , Wisconsin Counties Association; wicounties.org

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

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County (3/8) - Parks, Best Western (2/10) - Region #2

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

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://ho-chunknation.com/

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

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Inside Sponsors: WAMP; https://bit.ly/3KZxqM4 Best Western; https://bit.ly/3XiGSkq

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Hosts AnaElise Beckman and Eric Paulsen are thrilled to welcome special guests Apurba Banerjee and Ramsay Plautz for a memorable five-year reunion of The Cabin! In this heartfelt Campfire Conversation, they reflect on their favorite episodes and cherished memories from the past years.

AnaElise reflects on her favorite moments, from discovering emerging Wisconsin bands to chasing the elusive Northern Lights. Eric shares his love for the quirky and unexpected, recalling episodes on Wisconsin’s unique roadside attractions and scenic byways. Apurba looks back on her journey with The Cabin, highlighting her top-pick interviews, while Ramsay reminisces about his bushcraft debut and foodie episodes beloved by fans.

Together, they take you on a nostalgic journey through five years of unforgettable stories and adventures. Don’t miss this heartfelt celebration of the past and an exciting glimpse into what’s next for The Cabin!

Inside Sponsors:

Visit Lake Geneva: https://bit.ly/4hhUV1M

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Guided by AnaElise Beckman, Eric Paulsen, and Apurba Banerjee, this episode of The Cabin uncovers the coziest bookstores and libraries the state has to offer! Ana’s got you covered with Madison’s must-visits, including Leopold's Books Bar Caffè and the Wisconsin Historical Society Library, and unique favorites like Janesville’s Bookmobile.

Apurba's top picks include The Story Cellar in Wausau, the hidden treasure JC Weddle Books in Rhinelander, Frankie’s Book Nook in Thiensville, Boswell Books in Shorewood, and the stunning Milwaukee Public Library. Plus, she shares bonus spots like Apostle Island Booksellers, Northwind Book & Fiber, and The Village BookSmith.

Later, Eric turns the page to reveal more cozy finds—Renaissance Books at Mitchell International Airport, Chequamegon Books in Washburn, The Book Store in Appleton, and Wisconsin’s oldest bookstore, Janke Book Store, in Wausau. From ancient libraries to modern-day book havens, Wisconsin's coziest hallmarks await your visit!

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County: https://bit.ly/4iE74yQ

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Love is on the menu in today’s Campfire Conversation! Ana and Eric journey through Wisconsin's top (and most romantic) steakhouses, sharing an exclusive list for Valentine's Day. From Green Bay to Madison, our hosts will guide you through must-visit restaurants–acclaimed for their incredible cuisine and ambiance.

The lineup includes Republic Chophouse in Green Bay, Madison Street Steakhouse in Lancaster, Wissota Chophouse in Stevens Point, The Historic Afton House Inn and Current Restaurant in Afton, and Johnny Delmonico's in Madison. The list goes on and on. Tune in for more mouthwatering details, and plan your unforgettable Valentine’s Day!

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Nation: https://bit.ly/4g7y5sx

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Join Ana and special guests Apruba, Megan, and Katie as they celebrate Galentine’s Day, spilling the state’s hot spots for unforgettable gal time. Apurba kicks off the episode with high-energy Milwaukee adventures: pink brunch and axe throwing at Movida, bagels and beermosas at Supermoon Beer Company, plus a Galentine’s Day escape at Crossroads Collective. And don’t miss the Bowenstreet Makers Market party!

Ana dives into Wisconsin’s hidden gems in Hudson, Lake Geneva, and Eagle River. Enjoy spa treatments, wine bars, boutique shopping, and cozy spaces. These small towns pack big excitement! Meanwhile, Megan spills more low-key spots, including the Splash Martini Bar in Oconomowoc, Brookfield Corners in Brookfield, and an at-home option with Sendik's.

Back in the big city, Katie explores Madison's foodie and arts scene with RED, Marigold Kitchen, Sa-Bai Thong Thai Cuisine, and performances at Overture, Comedy on State, and The Orpheum. Other notable mentions include the West Side boutique The Pink Poodle and Oregon’s creative art studio Bad Art Co. This Galentine's, try something new with your favorite people right here in Wisconsin!

Inside Sponsors:

Lincoln County: https://bit.ly/3Ww74aV

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

From Green Bay to Madison, and from the Dells to Eau Claire, Eric and Ana invite you on a mouthwatering tour of Wisconsin’s top pancake hot spots! The Pancake Place in Green Bay has been voted "Best in the Bay" for over eight years, featuring a rotating Pancake of the Month. In Madison, The Pancake Café, recognized as "Best of Madison" since 2001, serves up creative options like chocolate chip and bacon-stuffed pancakes across multiple locations.

For unique flavors, Maxfield's Pancake House in Fox Point and Wauwatosa offers Oreo and apricot pancakes, while PJ Piper Pancake House in Cedarburg tempts with their Graceland Cake, filled with peanut butter and fresh banana slices. Classic breakfast lovers will appreciate Mickies Dairy Bar in Madison for their warm, fluffy traditional pancakes, and Randy's Family Restaurant in Eau Claire, serving all-day breakfast since 1960. Mr. Pancake in Lake Delton is a steamboat sensation, known for excellent seasonal pancakes.

Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty in Minocqua and the Dells offers all-you-can-eat flapjacks alongside famous doughnuts. For more eclectic experiences, Delta Diner in Mason serves up Northwoods charm with its infamous Norwegian Pancakes. Frank's Diner in Kenosha is known for gigantic pancakes to add to your garbage plates. With each bite, these pancake hot spots will keep you coming back each morning! 

Inside Sponsors:

Visit Lake Geneva: https://bit.ly/4hhUV1M

Campfire Conversation:

The Cabin welcomes Stephanie Klett from Visit Lake Geneva to explore the 30th Annual Winterfest–with free admission! The event features America's Snow Sculpting Invitational, where 15 talented teams will transform Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park into a winter wonderland from January 29th to February 1st. This world-renowned contest is followed by the Awards Ceremony in the historic Riviera Ballroom and the People's Choice Awards, where you can vote on your favorite sculpture!

Discover the magic behind this iconic Wisconsin winter celebration, which includes downtown ice sculptures, beach bonfires, and more downtown festivities beyond Winterfest. Adventurers can hit the slopes at Grand Geneva Ski Resort, soar through the trees on ziplines, or explore local museums and shops. From outdoor thrills to cozy indoor experiences, Lake Geneva offers something for everyone, proving once again why it’s always been the place for winter magic.

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

In today’s Campfire Conversation, the Discover Wisconsin team shares their favorite spots across the state that you won't want to miss! We highlight places perfect for winter or year-round fun. For winter adventures, we recommend thrilling experiences like tubing at local ski hills and enjoying candlelight hikes throughout Wisconsin.

Listeners will also be transported to warmer weather, as we feature beloved ice cream shops and local eateries, stunning golf courses, and relaxing beaches. Come along for a showcase of natural wonders, scenic trails, and memorable road trips. Tune in and discover your next adventure!

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County: https://bit.ly/4iE74yQ

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Tune in as we explore ten must-visit locations for health connoisseurs! First, we highlight Tapuat Kombucha in Sister Bay, known for its small-batch kombucha with unique flavors. Next, Healthy Being Café and Juicery in Madison offers delicious cold-pressed juices and wellness shots made from fresh, local ingredients. In Green Bay, The Juicery serves fresh juices and açaí bowls, while The Wellness Bar in Hudson features delectable smoothies and protein shakes.

We also spotlight Blooming Lotus Juice Bar in Wausau, alongside Moka Origins Café in Eau Claire, known for its plant-based lattes. Discover these fantastic wellness drink destinations and more across Wisconsin!

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://bit.ly/4g7y5sx

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Expert Ramsay Plautz gathers around the campfire with Eric and Ana to share invaluable insights on navigating the winter wilderness. Ramsay discusses essential safety tips for winter bushcraft, emphasizing the importance of layering clothing, staying hydrated, and mastering fire-starting skills. He also highlights the need for proper gear to tackle the unique challenges of cold-weather camping.

Plus, Ramsay and the crew discover some of Wisconsin's best winter camping spots, including Porcupine Lake and Blackjack Creek, where you can immerse yourself in the serene, snow-covered landscapes. Later, Ramsay delves into the art of winter foraging, identifying edible plants like pine needles and rose hips that thrive even in the colder months. Embrace the adventure of winter bushcrafting while remaining mindful of safety and sustainability. Happy camping!

Inside Sponsors:

WAMP; https://bit.ly/4feJMxk

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Buckle up for a wild ride through Wisconsin’s most extreme experiences—where natural beauty meets pure adventure. Whether you're a seasoned adrenaline junkie or a weekend warrior looking to push your limits, this episode has something for everyone. Co-hosts Ana, Apurba, and Eric take you through water-splashing escapades, sky-high thrills, and ground-shaking land expeditions proving Wisconsin is much more than cheese and lakes.

Prepare to discover hidden gems and adrenaline-pumping activities that will leave you breathless and eager for more. From the icy plunge of a Polar Plunge to the exhilarating rush of whitewater rafting on the Menominee River, each adventure promises unforgettable memories. Tune in and explore the thrilling side of Wisconsin that awaits around every corner! Your next adventure is just a heartbeat away…

Inside Sponsors:

Visit Lake Geneva; https://bit.ly/4hhUV1M

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation:

Dive into the enchanting tales that define the holiday season in Wisconsin! Join regulars Ana and Eric, along with special guests Brett Rolstad and Jessica Vokoun, as they share captivating stories like the legendary Christmas Tree Ship, which sank while delivering trees to Chicago, and the Julboks, or Yule Goats, steeped in Scandinavian tradition. The Cabin Crew also reveals the darkly festive figure of Krampus and the inspiring legacy of Father Baraga, known as the "Snowshoe Priest," who brought Christmas blessings to remote communities.

Later, encounter the mischievous Tomte from folklore and eerie legends like the Phantom Sleigh Bells that echo through Wisconsin's winter nights. These tales not only celebrate the spirit of the season but also highlight the rich cultural heritage woven into Wisconsin's holiday traditions. Prepare to be captivated by stories that blend history, folklore, and festive cheer!

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County; https://bit.ly/4iE74yQ

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation: 

In this festive episode, we take you on Wisconsin's holiday tour, showcasing the state's most magical events and experiences. Join hosts Eric, Josh, and Ana as they each share their top picks for holiday activities that will fill your season with joy and wonder. 

Together, they map out the best holiday celebrations across Wisconsin you can’t miss. From the enchanting Christkindlmarkt in Door County to the dazzling Making Spirits Bright Light Show in Sheboygan, each event captures the spirit of the season. 

As we navigate through these exciting holiday happenings, we’ll also test your knowledge with a fun trivia stand-off, pitting Eric against Josh. So cozy up, and let’s discover what makes Wisconsin’s holiday season truly special!

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Nation; https://bit.ly/4g7y5sx

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Campfire Conversation: 

In episode 259 of The Cabin Podcast, you’re in for a trip down memory lane with co-hosts Jake Rome, AnaElise Beckman, and Eric Paulsen. The iconic trio discusses how quickly the year has flown by and shares some of their favorite adventures. 

This year’s highlight reel includes filming with NFL legend Donald Driver, producing a creative digital short for Carbliss, and exploring Wisconsin's beautiful barrens in Bayfield. Plus, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories capture the camaraderie on set. 

They delve into each on-the-road adventure, featuring the unique characters and local legends that make Wisconsin such a vibrant place to explore. Join Jake, AnaElise, and Eric as they celebrate these memorable experiences and look forward to more in the coming year!

Inside Sponsors:

WAMP; https://bit.ly/4feJMxk

Sauk County; https://bit.ly/48gYqBD

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, we explore Wisconsin's Hot Cocoa Trail, highlighting the top spots and can't-miss events dedicated to this beloved winter beverage. Discover the rich history of hot cocoa, from its origins with the Mayans to the innovative contributions of Wisconsinite Charles Sanna, who created the first instant hot chocolate. The episode features exciting events like the Cocoa and Cider Walk in Watertown, where participants can enjoy $10 hot cocoa and cider while strolling through local shops. 

We'll also take you to charming locations such as The Chocolate Cafe in Wausau, known for its Belgian Drinking Chocolate and cocoa bombs, and Twisted Oak Coffee House in Prescott, which offers a cozy atmosphere for enjoying a variety of cocoa drinks. Additionally, we'll delve into unique trends like hot chocolate bombs and unicorn hot cocoa, ensuring you are well-equipped to embark on your own delicious journeys through Wisconsin's cocoa culture.

Inside Sponsors:

Enbridge; https://bit.ly/4hrKqcg

Campfire Conversation:

Today’s exciting bonus episode shines a spotlight on the Ho-Chunk Nation–a long-time partner of Discover Wisconsin. The Cabin welcomes Rob Reider, the Senior Marketing Director for the Ho-Chunk Nation, and Brett Rolstad, our exceptional producer to the show. Through a series of remarkable and award-winning short films, Rob and Brett have been instrumental in bringing the stories of the Ho-Chunk people to life.

The Cabin crew takes a deep dive behind the scenes of powerful videos, including Emmy award-winning "Exploring the Artistic Process of Truman Lowe," and most recently, "The Impact of the Indian Child Welfare Act," along with several other captivating shorts. From raising awareness about important issues to celebrating Ho-Chunk art and traditions, these shorts are making a significant impact on how people understand and appreciate Native American culture. Stay tuned as we unpack the creativity, passion, and purpose behind these award-winning productions.

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Campfire Conversation:

In episode 257 of The Cabin Podcast, the co-hosts are joined by two very special guests, who offer expert shopping insight, from handmade gifts to foodie finds. Together, they unveil an array of unique gift ideas from Wisconsin, kicking things off with standout recommendations including the Local Store at Volume One in Eau Claire and DelecTable in Madison.

The Cabin crew adds to the festive spirit and highlights the enchanting Kristmas Kringle Shoppe in Fond du Lac and the charming Mistletoe Holiday House in Egg Harbor, known for its hand-painted ornaments and local artisan creations. The guide rounds out with mouthwatering options from O&H Bakery and Ellsworth Creamery. For those looking for inspiration this shopping season, you won’t want to miss this!

Inside Sponsors:

Benvenuto’s; https://bit.ly/3V0lY8z

Sauk County; https://bit.ly/48gYqBD

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Campfire Conversation: 

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, we’re spilling a variety of festive activities that await from November 28th to 30th. The celebration kicks off with invigorating events like the Turkey Burn workout at Yoga on the Lake, followed by sumptuous Thanksgiving buffets featuring lavish spreads for families to enjoy together. On November 29th, the holiday spirit continues with Black Friday shopping for unique, Wisconsin-themed gifts.

Later, The Cabin crew highlights outdoor adventures such as guided hikes through Wisconsin’s beautiful fall landscapes and engaging activities for children. With an array of live music and creative workshops like cast iron art making, this episode showcases all the holiday festivities around Thanksgiving–plus must-visit holiday markets. Wisconsin awaits! You won’t want to miss these memorable holiday experiences.

Inside Sponsors:

Enbridge; https://bit.ly/4hrKqcg

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin, hosts AnaElise Beckman, Eric Paulsen, and Jake Rome explore Wisconsin's vibrant antique and vintage shopping scene. They visit a variety of locations, including the expansive Wisconsin Dells Antique Mall and the charming Hippie Tom's farm in Waterford. The crew highlights specialized shops like AtomicKatz, known for its curated vintage clothing, and Driftless Artifacts, which features items from the 1900s to the 1990s! 

Unique repurposed spaces such as the Cool School Antique Mall in Bristol and Atomic Antiques in Madison also make an appearance. Each host shares their personal quests for specific antique items, selecting two treasures they hope to find. This nostalgic journey showcases the rich history and unique stories behind Wisconsin's antique landscape.

Inside Sponsors:

WAMP; https://bit.ly/4feJMxk

Sauk County; 

https://bit.ly/3C0WHED

The Cabin is also presented by GHT; https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, special guest Sarah Conery shares her insights as a travel writer and content creator. She discusses her recently released book, "100 Things to Do in Green Bay Before You Die," a comprehensive guide for locals and visitors looking to explore the best of Green Bay. Sarah highlights her journey into writing, including her experiences during the pandemic.

Join Sarah, and The Cabin Crew, as they reveal the unique attractions of Green Bay, from its rich NFL history to vibrant local dining options. Later, they delve into seasonal activities and day trips across northeastern Wisconsin, offering recommendations for fall foliage viewing, winter sports, summer beach outings, and spring adventures. Plus, all the details on where to find Sarah’s book. Tune in for an exciting exploration of what makes Green Bay a must-visit destination!

Inside Sponsors:

WCA; https://bit.ly/3YigPJy

Enbridge; https://bit.ly/4hrKqcg

Weber Group; https://bit.ly/3YFbUUu

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

In today’s campfire conversation, we take a delightful journey through some of Wisconsin's most cherished candy shops. Freese's Candy Shop in West Allis, established in 1928, is renowned for its historical charm and signature whipped cream candies crafted with a vintage Hobart mixer. Meanwhile, Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe offers a whimsical experience in a quaint "little house of candy," boasting an impressive selection of treats alongside nostalgic touches like a vintage Coke machine.

Later, we feature Lynne Marie's Candies in Hayward, famous for its wide array of chocolates and taffy. Other sugary stops include The Sweet Tooth in Prairie du Chien and Sweeden Sweets in Superior, both offering unique and delectable confections. Before coming to a close, we highlight Confections for Any Occasion in Theresa, Oaks Candy in Oshkosh, and Uncle Tom's Candy in Ellison Bay, followed by our list of indulgent honorable mentions.

Inside Sponsors:

Visit Lake Geneva: https://bit.ly/4hhUV1M

GHT: https://bit.ly/4hlhwui

Sauk County: https://bit.ly/48gYqBD

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode’s campfire conversation, we dive into some of Wisconsin’s best ghost tours, haunted houses, and hayrides. First, we explore American Ghost Walks, which offers spine-chilling tours across Milwaukee, Madison, Lake Geneva, Bayfield, and Waukesha. From the haunted Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee to the ghostly happenings along the UW-Madison campus, these tours bring eerie local history to life. In Sheboygan Falls, you can step inside the infamous Sheboygan Insane Asylum for an interactive paranormal investigation, guided by experienced ghost hunters. For a unique experience in Door County, try the Trolley of the Doomed Ghost Tour, or if you’re up for a haunted pub crawl, grab your souvenir skull mug and explore the county’s haunted taverns. 

Shifting to haunted houses, we highlight terrifying attractions like Perdition Pines in Antigo, known for its Haunted Trail and Freakshow Forest. For those near Milwaukee or Chicago, Abandoned Haunted House Complex offers three distinct haunted experiences, while the Burial Chamber in Neenah boasts Wisconsin’s largest haunted house complex. Lastly, we feature fall hayrides at family-friendly spots like Berryland in Abrams, Ferguson’s Orchards near Galesville, and Helene’s Hilltop Orchard in Merrill, perfect for those looking to combine fall fun with a little fright.

Inside Sponsors:

Enbridge: https://bit.ly/48L2KYW

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

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin, we explore the enchanting Bent's Camp, a remote yet well-equipped getaway nestled along the pristine Cisco Chain of Lakes. Perfect for family vacations, this historical site features original cabins and modern amenities, making it an ideal spot for both relaxation and adventure. We discuss the camp's rich history and recent upgrades, including improvements to the restaurant and accommodations, which cater to everything from cozy fishing trips to seasonal events like Oktoberfest and the Fall Musky League.

Listeners will learn about the wide range of activities available, from kayaking and pontoon rentals to snowmobiling in Eagle River, known as the snowmobile capital of the world. Join us as we dive into all that Bent's Camp has to offer, and discover why this hidden gem is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. For more information, visit bents-camp.com and check out their social media!

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of pumpkin spice, tracing its origins from a medieval European food preservative to its modern association with coffee and pumpkin pie. We’ll explore some unusual pumpkin spice products—like dog treats, deodorant, and even Spam—before diving into the cultural impact of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, which has generated over $1.4 billion in sales since 2003. Then, we’ll highlight some of Wisconsin's top pumpkin spice hotspots. Featured places include Henning's Cheese Store in Kiel with their unique pumpkin spice cheddar, La Rêve Patisserie in Wauwatosa for pumpkin spice macarons, and Ruby Coffee Roasters in Stevens Point, where their pumpkin spice latte is made with house-made syrup. We’ll also stop by Norske Nook in Osseo for their scratch-made pumpkin cream cheese pie, and Milwaukee’s Motor Bar & Restaurant for a delicious pumpkin and pecan bread pudding. Plus, there’s Sunday Dough in Sheboygan, where the pumpkin cheesecake doughnut is a must-try! Tune in now to hear all places to visit across Wisconsin. 

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County: https://bit.ly/3qayJAL

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Join us for a cozy fall episode as we explore the beauty of Lake Geneva with special guest Stephanie Klett! Immerse yourself in the vibrant fall colors and outdoor activities that make this season magical. From scenic hikes along the Geneva Lake Shore Path to exhilarating ziplines and relaxing boat cruises, Lake Geneva is the perfect destination for fall adventure.

Embrace the season by visiting local orchards for apple picking and indulging in seasonal treats, or simply enjoy the crisp air and stunning autumn landscapes. And don't miss the Lake Geneva Oktoberfest, a celebration filled with live music, delicious food, and family-friendly fun.

Whether you're looking for outdoor thrills or a peaceful retreat in nature, Lake Geneva offers it all. Tune in to discover why fall is the best time to experience this charming lakeside getaway!

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this spine-tingling episode of The Cabin Podcast our hosts delve into Wisconsin’s most haunted locations, each steeped in chilling history and ghostly tales. They explore the notorious Maribel Caves Hotel, known as "Hotel Hell," where a series of tragic fires and a horrific mass murder have left lingering spirits and strange occurrences that locals can’t ignore. The conversation shifts to Summerwind Mansion, a famed ruin where ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena have intrigued paranormal investigators for decades. Listeners will also learn about St. Ambrose Church in St. Nazianz, linked to a religious cult and haunted by ghostly whispers and mysterious rituals. Additionally, the eerie Sheboygan Asylum, once a care facility for the mentally ill, is examined for its reports of unsettling paranormal activity. The episode concludes with tales from the Witherell House and the Polk County Poor Farm, where dark pasts continue to haunt the living. Join us as we unlock the doors to these haunted histories!

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

In this episode of The Cabin, we delve into the dynamic economic development landscape of Jefferson County, located in the thriving Madwaukee corridor. With significant investments from companies like Nestlé and Kikkoman, totaling over $1.4 billion, Jefferson County is transforming into a manufacturing hub that promises to create thousands of jobs and enhance the local economy. We also discuss the county's quality of life improvements, including a robust housing development fund and exciting community initiatives like Habitat for Humanity’s expansion.

Additionally, we explore the beautiful parks and recreation opportunities available, featuring over 19 miles of hiking trails, extensive snowmobile routes, and vibrant wildlife areas. From the historic Rock River Trail to the scenic Glacial River Bike Trail, Jefferson County offers outdoor enthusiasts plenty of ways to enjoy nature. Tune in as we highlight the community's growth, upcoming events, and the vibrant culture that makes Jefferson County a fantastic place to live and work!

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/DWxJollyGood

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, we’re diving into Wisconsin’s best scenic drives to catch the vibrant fall foliage. Starting with Lake Geneva’s charming surroundings, we’ll explore rustic roads through the Kettle Moraine, including the picturesque town of Lyons and the winding, historic Snake Road. Then, we’ll journey through the Driftless Area on Highway 23, passing Taliesin and the famous House on the Rock, before climbing to Gibraltar Rock for stunning views. We’ll also venture north along the Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway, where towering trees and peaceful wildlife set the stage for a relaxing drive. Finally, we’ll head toward the Great River Road and Timms Hill, Wisconsin’s highest point, offering spectacular fall vistas. Tune in now to learn about these drives… and more! 

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County; https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

Group Health Trust; https://bit.ly/3evRaEQ

Sauk County; https://bit.ly/3zwPqLI

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin, we dive into the mysteries of Wisconsin’s Great Lakes shipwrecks with two fascinating guests: Brendon Baillod, shipwreck hunter and author, and Kevin Cullen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. We explore their backgrounds in maritime history and the intriguing process of uncovering these underwater treasures. Our discussion highlights three mysterious shipwrecks, including an unidentified schooner off Port Washington, the lost sidewheel steamer *Alpena*, and the steel freighter *Jennifer*, which disappeared in 1974. Along the way, we learn about the methods and technology used to discover these wrecks, why the Great Lakes are so significant in maritime history, and how you can explore these sunken treasures yourself. Don’t miss this adventure into the hidden depths of the Great Lakes!

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

We’ll cover all the must-haves, from brats and burgers to game-specific meats like ribs and Italian sausage. Josh shares his favorite sides, sweets, and beverages to elevate your tailgating experience, plus tips on how to prepare them. We’ll also explore Wisconsin’s unique tailgating culture, with advice for newcomers and insights into some of the best tailgating spots across the state. Whether you’re a seasoned tailgater or just getting started, this episode has everything you need to make your pre-game party a success.

Inside Sponsors:

Benvenutos; https://bit.ly/42IH2D7

Group Health Trust; https://bit.ly/3evRaEQ

Wild Eagle Lodge; https://bit.ly/3qkjK4F

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

We’re taking you on a journey to some of the best remote fall camping locations across Wisconsin, perfect for enjoying the vibrant autumn colors. We’ll cover everything you need to know for safe and effective camping during this season, from essential gear and food to packing tips and how to build a sturdy campsite. You’ll also learn about foraging opportunities and the natural bounty available this time of year. Our discussion includes top spots like Devil’s Lake in Baraboo, Lake Kegonsa near Madison, and Willow River State Park in Hudson, along with hidden gems like Porcupine Lake Wilderness and Kohler-Andrae State Park. Expect insider tips on where to find the best fall foliage, peaceful lakeside views, and charming nearby towns to explore after a day in the wilderness.

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County; https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

Enbridge Energy; https://bit.ly/48L2KYW

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, we get to know Blaze Davis, the talented videographer behind some of Discover Wisconsin’s most stunning visuals. Blaze shares his journey into videography and how he became a key part of the Discover Wisconsin team. We explore what a typical day on set looks like, the challenges he faces while filming on location, and the creative ways he adapts when things don’t go as planned. Blaze also reflects on some of his most memorable moments, rewarding shoots, and the importance of teamwork in producing each episode. Plus, he offers valuable tips for aspiring videographers and reveals his creative inspirations and hobbies outside of work.

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

Join us in this episode of The Cabin Podcast as we explore the vibrant Oktoberfest celebrations across Wisconsin. We kick off with Lake Geneva’s festivities, featuring a beer garden, artisan market, and a unique Oktoberfest dinner train. Next, we dive into Chippewa Falls' 20th annual event, packed with competitions, Glockenspiel acts, and four stages of entertainment. We then journey to La Crosse for "Das Beste," the Midwest’s longest-running Oktoberfest, with parades, craft beer nights, and stunning autumn views along the Mississippi. Finally, we visit Glendale’s Bavarian Bierhaus for traditional food and family fun, and Appleton’s Octoberfest for a mile of music, arts, and delicious food supporting local non-profits. Tune in for a tour of Wisconsin’s best Oktoberfest experiences!

Inside Sponsors:

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

Group Health Trust; https://bit.ly/3evRaEQ

Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors; https://bit.ly/3KZxqM4

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, listeners will learn about the life and legacy of Discover Wisconsin's founder, Dick Rose, through an intimate conversation with his wife, Lolly Rose. Lolly shares heartfelt stories about their journey together, from their first meeting to Dick's visionary idea for the show, which he conceived while fishing with Governor Thompson. She recounts the early challenges they faced, the evolution of the show, and the milestones that stand out in its history. Lolly also provides insights into Dick's personality and how his passion and dedication shaped Discover Wisconsin. Finally, she reflects on what "Celebrate Life Day" means to her and offers suggestions for honoring Dick's memory and contributions to the state.

Inside Sponsors:

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

Re/Max Property Pros: https://bit.ly/2R3vFoi

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

August 13th is Record Store Day! This is an annual event that was inaugurated in 2007 to celebrate the culture of independently owned record stores. In this episode we dive into the following Record Stores across Wisconsin.

Revival Records in Eau Claire, situated along the river, offers a charming store with friendly and knowledgeable staff, new and used records, and retro vibes, run by owner Billy Siegel. Driftless Books in Viroqua, housed in the historic Viroqua Tobacco Warehouse, boasts a collection of over half a million books and thousands of records. In Delavan, Hemptations CBD & Records combines medicinal CBD products with an eclectic selection of vinyl, CDs, and cassettes, located on Highway 11. Strictly Discs in Madison, since 1988, offers new and used CDs and vinyl, studio gear, and chances to win tickets to local shows, conveniently located near the UW-Madison campus on Monroe Street.

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County; https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

During the interview, Regan Ernst will discuss her tenure with Discover Wisconsin and how she initially connected with the organization. She'll share insights on her journey into production and detail how her role has evolved over time. Ernst will explain the criteria behind selecting stories for broadcast episodes and highlight her favorite aspects of working on "Uniquely Wisconsin." Additionally, she'll reveal lesser-known challenges encountered during episode production and recount memorable moments, such as the craziest and most heartwarming experiences on set. Ernst will also touch on her current projects outside of work and offer advice for aspiring creatives aiming to break into the production industry today.

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County; https://bit.ly/3qayJAL

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

Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors; 

https://bit.ly/3KZxqM4

, 

https://bit.ly/3xFlbBe

Campfire Conversation: 

Superior-Douglas County boasts a vibrant lifestyle with two major medical systems, St. Luke’s and Acentia, ensuring top-notch healthcare. The area offers fantastic higher education opportunities at Northwoods Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior, along with excellent K-12 programs. The industrial sector provides a variety of career opportunities, including shipping, railways, airports, and energy, with notable presence like the Cenovus Superior Refinery. Enjoy cozy Northwoods hospitality with a range of dining options from fine dining to dive bars, offering delicious chicken wings, burgers, and pizza. Discover great boutiques and charming mom-and-pop shops. Experience all four seasons with numerous parks, trails, and camping spots. Highlights include Amnicon Falls State Park, Pattison State Park, Superior Municipal Forest, and Lake Superior. Enjoy activities like disc golf, archery, water sports, hiking, and biking. Join the community for fantastic events such as the Lake Superior Ice Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Great Northern Classic Rodeo, Head of the Lakes Fair, and East End Family Fun Days. Accommodations range from hotels and Airbnbs to campgrounds, and you can explore the Twin Ports community, including Duluth, MN.

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda: https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin Podcast, we explore ten remarkable renovated spaces across Wisconsin. Join us as we highlight 10 South in Janesville, a historic armory from 1930 now transformed into a stunning wedding venue. Discover Topsy Turvy Brewery in Lake Geneva, which beautifully preserves its origins as a 1892 Methodist Episcopal Church. We’ll take you to Menomonie’s Brewery Nønic, set in a historic railroad depot, and Green Bay's Titletown Brewing Company, located in a former 1898 railway station. Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery, housed in a 1908 coal-fired power plant, offers a unique brewing history. The Brewing Projekt in Eau Claire revitalized a historic brick building, while Superior’s Thirsty Pagan Brewery and Ashland's Soo Line Depot showcase creative uses of former rail stations. We’ll also visit Potosi Brewery, which now features the National Brewery Museum, and Madison’s Garver Feed Mill, a multi-use facility with rich history. Tune in to be inspired by these incredible transformations redefining life, work, and play in Wisconsin!

Inside Sponsors:

Enbridge: https://bit.ly/48L2KYW

WCA Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3evRaEQ

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good: https://bit.ly/DWxJollyGood

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin Podcast, we explore a variety of unique and exciting arcade bars across Wisconsin. AnaElise Beckman kicks things off with the story of Aftershock Classic Arcade in Madison, founded by Brad Van after discovering a broken Pac-Man machine. Now revived by Chris Welch, it features classic games like Dance Dance Revolution and House Of The Dead, along with a selection of craft drinks and snacks. Eric Paulsen highlights Vagabond Arcade in River Falls, where visitors can enjoy retro games by paying an hourly rate, and Heroes Venture Arcade in Two Rivers, which boasts over 150 games without the need for quarters. Jake Rome takes us to The Garcade in Menomonee Falls, offering over 150 arcade games and 30+ pinball machines, as well as WOW - Wausau on the Water Family Fun, a family-focused arcade with great deals and event spaces. Lastly, we visit Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar in Sturgeon Bay, a renovated bowling alley turned hotspot for unique cocktails, craft beers, and vintage arcade games, featuring weekly free bowling and Xtreme bingo nights.

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Nation: https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru
Wisconsin Counties Association: https://bit.ly/3ehxDHH

Praise in the Pines: https://bit.ly/3VeLBBB

Discover more about the Great River Road in the Discover Wisconsin episode, "The Wisconsin Great River Road – An All-American Road," available on discoverwisconsin.com and the Discover Wisconsin YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/3UUnW9w

Learn more about the Wisconsin Great River Road at the following links:

• Website: https://bit.ly/4aGNkpd
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wVNlaR
• Instagram: https://bit.ly/4bRcgLq
• X: https://bit.ly/4dWvFN0

Sponsored By: 

Friends of the Great River Road;https://bit.ly/4aGNkpd

Wisconsin Department of Transportation; https://bit.ly/3lE53Y4

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/DWxJollyGood

Campfire Conversation: 

Join us as we explore some of Wisconsin's best distilleries! Ana introduces Waterford Stillhouse in Racine County, the first distillery since Prohibition, offering vodka, light whiskey, and lemon vodka in their public tasting room. Eric highlights Great Northern Distilling, which recently moved from Plover to Stevens Point, blending chemistry and art under the guidance of the entertaining head distiller, Brian. He also mentions Hatch Distillery in Egg Harbor and Paradise North in Green Bay. Finally, Scott lists some other must-visit distilleries, including Driftless Glen in Baraboo, Dancing Goat in Cambridge, Hatch Distillery in Door County, and Blue Ash Farm in Argyle.

Inside Sponsors:

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

Group Health Trust; https://bit.ly/3evRaEQ

Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors; https://bit.ly/3KZxqM4 & https://bit.ly/3xFlbBe

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/DWxJollyGood

Campfire Conversation: 

Welcome back to The Cabin Podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into all the amazing ways you can celebrate the Fourth of July around Wisconsin. 

First up, we’ve got some great freebies for you. Speedy Rewards loyalty members can grab a free Slurpee from 7-Eleven between July 1st and 10th, and if you’re decked out in red, white, and blue, Krispy Kreme will give you a free original glazed donut. Plus, Sonic is offering half-priced cheeseburgers on July 4th for those ordering online or through their mobile app after 5 pm.

For a fantastic day out, check out Waunaboom in Waunakee on July 4th. They’ve got live music from The Breakfast Club and Boogie and the YoYoz, movies in the park, a kids’ bike parade, cornhole, pony rides, and a spectacular F-35 flyover during the national anthem.

In Stevens Point, the Riverfront Rendezvous from July 4th to 6th is packed with live music, fireworks, food trucks, a boat parade, and tournaments in pickleball and cornhole. There’s even a musical instrument petting zoo and a kids’ safety day.

LaCrosse’s Riverfest, running from July 3rd to 6th, promises fun for the whole family with fireworks, arts and crafts, a comedy show, wrestling, axe throwing, races, and more. Don’t miss the parade and the River City Water Skiers show.

Eric also highlights other notable events like Manitowoc’s Fireworks and SubFest, Green Bay’s Fire on the Fox, and Milwaukee’s Big Boom at Summerfest. Jake shares his excitement for the Eagle River Parade, featuring floats, historic cars, and plenty of water gun action. For a unique experience, head to Madeline Island for a top-rated fireworks show or join Hudson’s Booster Days for a full festival experience with live music, a carnival, and fireworks over the St. Croix River. Tune in to hear all the details!

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County; https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

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

Praise in the Pines; https://bit.ly/Praise_in_the_Pines

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda;

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin Podcast, we celebrate Teddy Maier, our beloved Videographer and Field Production Manager. Each of us will share our favorite memories and stories from shoots with Teddy, showcasing his adventures across Wisconsin. We'll dive into Teddy's 12-year journey with Discover Wisconsin, exploring how he got involved and how his roles have evolved over the years. Teddy will discuss his favorite and hardest parts of working on the show, the craziest things he's seen on set, and the most heartwarming moments he's experienced. We'll also touch on how this job has shaped him, especially now that he's a father, and he'll offer valuable advice to aspiring creatives in production. Join us for a heartfelt and entertaining episode dedicated to Teddy's incredible contributions to Discover Wisconsin.

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County; https://bit.ly/3qayJAL

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

Enbridge; https://bit.ly/48L2KYW

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

We're diving into the delightful world of homemade bread across Wisconsin. We'll explore a variety of bread options, from artisanal sourdoughs to traditional hard rolls, and discuss the unique techniques and ingredients that make each one special. Whether it's the simplicity of flour, water, and salt or the addition of locally sourced ingredients, we'll uncover the secrets behind some of the best homemade breads in the state. Join us as we share our favorite finds and offer tips on where to discover these delicious loaves. Get ready for a mouthwatering journey through Wisconsin's homemade bread scene!

Inside Sponsors:

Best Western; https://bit.ly/3WVAD6J

Enbridge; https://bit.ly/48L2KYW

Praise in the Pines; https://bit.ly/Praise_in_the_Pines

Learn more about Racine County here:

• Racine County: https://bit.ly/4aCHlBF
• Explore Burlington: https://bit.ly/4550P0z
• Racine Downtown: https://bit.ly/4dQTbee
• Visit Racine County: https://bit.ly/4azmGP3
• Explore Waterford:https://bit.ly/4aJIoQi

Sponsored By: Racine County: https://bit.ly/4aCHlBF

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/DWxJollyGood

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin Podcast, we explore the best tiny home vacation options around Wisconsin, highlighting the charm and practicality of these compact dwellings. Ana starts with Mulroy’s Irish Acres in New London, offering rustic “glamping” accommodations on a biodynamic family farm, then moves to Getaway Wild Rose near Milwaukee, featuring modern cabins amidst extensive trails and wildlife, and finally, the luxurious Escape Tiny Homes at Canoe Bay in Chetek, known for its private forest setting and upscale amenities. Eric introduces the Off-Grid Inn near Eau Claire, popular for its comfortable and well-equipped tiny cabins, followed by the adventurous Peshtigo River Cabins at Wildman Adventure Resort, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, and concludes with the charming Peaceful Pines in Eagle River, part of a larger campground with access to Eagle Lake. Jake mentions other intriguing options like Justin Trails Resort and Anaway Place, along with full-time tiny home living possibilities through Wisconsin Tiny Homes. Join us as we dive into these unique, eco-friendly, and affordable vacation experiences across the state.

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Liz Fitzsimmons from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board! Liz brings extensive experience in strategic marketing and community engagement, playing a pivotal role in promoting Wisconsin's dairy industry and connecting local farmers with consumers. Our conversation dives into the significance of Dairy Month in June and explores Wisconsin’s rich dairy history. Liz shares insights into her background in the dairy industry, the evolution of Wisconsin's dairy farming, and the unique aspects that set it apart from other states. She also discusses the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board’s efforts to support local farmers and promote sustainable practices. Tune in for fascinating stories, industry milestones, and Liz’s vision for the future of dairy in America's Dairyland.

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County; https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

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

Praise in the Pines; https://bit.ly/Praise_in_the_Pines

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode, we explore some of Wisconsin's most scenic and diverse rail-trails, perfect for cycling enthusiasts. Starting in Madison, the 13.5-mile Capital City State Trail offers a moderately challenging ride through urban landscapes, ideal for year-round adventures with leashed dogs welcome. Next, the Glacial Drumlin State Trail from Waukesha spans 22.1 miles, providing an easy route for birding and biking, with the best visits between March and October. We also highlight the historic Elroy-Sparta State Trail, a 34.8-mile path featuring impressive 19th-century tunnels and varied terrains, from wetlands to prairies, making it a must-visit for those seeking a moderately challenging journey.

Jake will delve into the charming Sugar River State Trail in New Glarus, a 20+ mile route that showcases beautiful fall colors and a mix of asphalt and crushed stone paths, perfect for mountain biking and birding. Meanwhile, Eric will focus on the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee, a 6.7-mile easy route popular for winter activities and road biking, accessible year-round with leashed dogs. Lastly, the Fox River Trail in Green Bay stretches 25.8 miles, offering a serene and historical ride along a stunning body of water, with a special reminder to share the trail respectfully with all users. These trails provide a fantastic way to explore Wisconsin's natural beauty and historical landmarks, ensuring memorable rides for cyclists of all levels.

Inside Sponsors:

GHT; https://bit.ly/3JMizCX

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

Praise in the Pines; https://bit.ly/Praise_in_the_Pines

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

Campfire Conversation:  

In Episode 230 of The Cabin Podcast, hosts Eric Paulsen, AnaElise Beckman, and Jake Rome are joined by the Wisconsin Wayfarer, a passionate Milwaukee native dedicated to showcasing the charm of Wisconsin to newcomers and travelers. Together, they explore Wisconsin geography, food, and culture, offering a "Transplant’s Handbook" to the state's most iconic gems. From the origins of the Wisconsin Wayfarer to the perfect reference guide for locals, this episode is filled with insights into Wisconsin's rich and quirky culture and offerings. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to uncover the true essence of Wisconsin. We also go “behind the scenes” with Discover Wisconsin producer Brett Rolstad to preview a powerful and moving episode coming up.

Follow the Wisconsin Wayfarer on Instagram: @wisconsin.wayfarer or https://www.instagram.com/wisconsin.wayfarer  

Inside Sponsors:

Washington County; https://bit.ly/3qayJAL  

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

The Weber Group; https://bit.ly/3wp7gyA  

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

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

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

Ho-Chunk Gaming 

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Hop Aboard a Train Here: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

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

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Instagram: @visitwashingtoncounty.wi

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

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

https://visitwashingtoncounty.com/

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

Campfire Conversation:

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

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

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

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

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

Inside Sponsors:

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

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Ana, Eric, and Jake give their takes on some fun winter festivals that, at this point in mid-January, are still on the horizon. Some are coming up this weekend, including Waukesha’s annual Jan-Boree Festival, a city-wide brouhaha of winter activities that span 10 entire days! Up in Superior, the Lake Superior Ice Festival offers family fun the last weekend of January. Both of these fests feature activities like ice carving, winter disc golf, sledding, bonfires, and more. The Superior festival adds ice racing, a kubb tournament, and a market and craft fair. The end of January sees the start of Lake Geneva Winterfest, a long weekend celebration that embraces rides on and above Geneva Lake, ice sculptures throughout downtown, family friendly (and grown-up) activities of all kinds, and the crowning event: the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championships, welcoming the best snow sculptor teams from around the country.
February is filled with festivals, including Madison’s Winter Carnival with events at the UW campus both on and off the ice; the unique Scandihoovian Festival in Mt. Horeb embraces the Scandinavian way to enjoy winter, with social activities and fun with turkey bowling, fiddling, fat tire biking, and even a spelling bee. The middle weekend of February, the 15th-17th, is packed with events all over including the Northwoods Blizzard Blast centered in Conover; from the market to snowshoe baseball to outdoor recliner races on the ice plus sleigh rides, ice bowling, hockey, archery, snowshoeing, even pin-the-nose-on-the-snowman, it truly is a blast! At the same time, you can hustle across Chequamegon Bay during Book Across the Bay, the annual over-ice trek between Ashland and Washburn on Lake Superior, with plenty of fun events before, during, and after. Over on the Door Peninsula, the Sturgeon Bay Fire and Ice Festival features luminary night hikes, snow and carvers of all experience levels in the downtown crafting masterpieces and whimsical creations, even free trolley rides. For more motorized excitement, check out the Manawa Snodeo. It features snowmobile racing, ice drags, even racing with mini-bikes and lawnmowers along with hot air balloons and pyrotechnics lighting things up!

They cover several craft beer festivals happening in February too, so you’re covered there as well. Plenty of festival fun awaits yet this winter, let this episode inspire you to check more out! Links to these fests are below:

Waukesha JanBoree (Jan 19-28): https://www.janboree.org/

Lake Superior Ice Festival: https://lakesuperioricefestival.com/

Lake Geneva Winterfest & The US National Snow Sculpting Competition: https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/event/winterfest-2024/12242/

Madison Winter Carnival: https://union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/special-events/wintercarnival/

Scandihoovian Festival in Mt. Horeb: https://trollway.com/scandihoovian-winter-festival

Northwoods Blizzard Blast: https://northwoodsblizzardblast.com/

Book Across the Bay: https://www.batb.org/

Sturgeon Bay Fire & Ice Festival: https://sturgeonbay.net/special-events/fire-ice-festival/

Manawa Snodeo: https://www.manawasnodeo.org/

More festival and road trip fun can be found at https://www.statetrunktour.com/

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Ana, Eric, and Jake explore winter activities in Wisconsin with an eye on the more unique approaches. Sure, you can go skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and partake in many of the other typical winter activities, but how about sleigh rides, skijoring, and everybody’s favorite New Year’s activity (or one to avoid), the polar bear dips? We cover where you can take a sleigh ride across the winter season, not just during Christmas; how skijoring became popular in Wisconsin and places where you can partake, competitively or just for fun; plus some of the most famous places to jump into the frigid waters of Wisconsin’s lakes to ring in the New Year, and a number of polar bear dips happening yet this winter, including February and March, in which you can partake. Ice boating is another popular sport you don’t find in many other states, but we cover the history, the unique nature of this sport, and how Wisconsin has some of the best (frozen) waters for ice boating and racing, including some in Madison. Another unique feature is the Ice Caves, which during particularly cold winters form along the shores of Lake Superior off the coast of Bayfield County. They already have boat tours of those areas at times, but when the lake freezes well enough a walk on foot is particularly awe-inspiring. Winter festivals around the state offer some unique takes, including the Scandihoovian Winter Festival in Mount Horeb, JanBoree in Waukesha, the ice drags at the Merrill Winter Festival and more - something we detail both in this episode and in some upcoming. Of course, Wisconsin has a number of unique spots for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing - Jake has you covered on that angle. Yes, winters get long in Wisconsin, but with this guide you can maximize the fun in ways you can’t in other states. Join us for the tour!  

Inside Sponsors:

Visit Lake Geneva: 

https://bit.ly/3wHvilf

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

Campfire Conversation:  

In this episode of The Cabin, Ana, Eric, and Jake welcome 2024 and divvy up some resolutions in the areas of giving, healthier living, and healthier eating, respectively. Ana focuses on giving more in 2024 and explores a variety of interesting charitable events and organizations. She goes to Lake Geneva to explore things like the Mr. Lake Geneva Pageant, where men compete pageant-style to benefit area nonprofits as well as charity events centered around golf, biking, and more. She explores Cycling Without Age, an organization that provides rides to elderly people in need - it started in Denmark and now has chapters in 39 countries, including the US and Wisconsin. DoorTran, a transportation service in Door County, does similar work in Wisconsin’s most famous peninsula. Conservation alliances in Wisconsin advance the quality of life in communities as well as the environment, and Ana shares the one in Sauk Prairie, which is also active in revamping the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant grounds. Serving as a mentor is another wonderful way to “pay it forward,” and programs like the Outagamie County Mentoring Program illustrate these benefits. She also discusses a variety of walks and runs, galas, interesting contests, festivals and more that benefit communities across the state. VolunteerMatch.org provides a good resource for finding some of them.

Eric dives into some unique Wisconsin workouts and ways to get in better shape for 2024

(hey, he tries every year) and some of those workouts include yoga with goats or alpacas - oddly soothing for some reason; curling and ice skating in winter; pole fitness; bungee workouts at places like Swoop; TRX and cycle workouts at places like CycleBar, Spire, and Barre Code; and unique spots like Bounce Trampoline at Hometown Pilates in Fitchburg, which combines dance, music and bounce for a full cardio workout, and also helps with balance and coordination and studies have shown bounce is good for lymph circulation. More fun than your usual regular run or some sit-ups!

Jake discusses food as part of his resolution, and covers examples of places around the state where you can eat healthier. Places around the state are now offering fresher and healthier grab-and-go meals and you can find them at markets like The Farmacy in Green Bay, co-ops like Willy Street in Madison, People’s Co-Op in La Crosse, and Outpost Natural Foods, which has multiple locations around Milwaukee, and more. Farmers markets have greatly multiplied in number across the state where you can get fresh-grown food from area farms, bakers, and more; they’re often a great way to kick off your weekend. Many of these markets take place in the warmer months, but more and more communities have winter markets indoors. Jake also drops some favorites across the state, including Downtown Grocery in Wausau; Thai Basil in Madison; Subhouse in Hudson, and Island Cafe in Minocqua, where you’ll find a Mediterranean menu amidst an area primarily known for pub food and fish fries in the great North Woods. He provides a nice blueprint for places that offer that combination of tasty cuisine and better nutrition many of us want.

Hope your New Year’s resolutions work well and you have a happy, healthy 2024!  

Inside Sponsors:

Jefferson County: https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau  

Episodes include the Top 10 Most Photographed Sites in the State (and 10 That SHOULD Be); Farm to Table Dining featuring guest co-host Apurba Banerjee; Wondrous Wisconsin Woodlands with guest co-host Ramsay Plautz; Where to Find the Best Brats in Wisconsin, where we were joined Josh Ostermann and Michelle Gormican Thompson; Wisconsin Historic Sites You Need to Visit; Indoor & Outdoor Skating Rinks in Wisconsin; What To Love About Winter in Chippewa County, a show we took on the road; Legendary Wisconsin Animals: Real AND Imagined; one of our Wisconsin Dive Bars; and our Uniquely Wisconsin episode covering Sheboygan County We dive into some honorable mentions and extras, too. It’s a great way to wrap up 2023!

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

Campfire Conversation: 

In this episode of The Cabin, we check in with emerging Wisconsin native country artist Madeline Consoer. The Eagle River native followed her passion initially into college but then The Voice, where she first gained national exposure. Today, she lives and works in Nashville in the heart of the country music industry, working with other singers, songwriters, and producers. Her touring activity is also picking up, which brings her to various locations around the country including venues in Wisconsin and Chicago. Madeline shares her story with us, including how some unlikely and sometimes spontaneous experiences turned into promising opportunities, how support from family and friends gave her the ability to head to Nashville, and how she continues to expand her songwriting, singing, and performing. Her music is a mix of pop and country and she continues to explore additional genres with her songs. Some of her most popular releases include “How Do I Next.,” “Mama Said,” “Thank God,” “I Told My Mom About You,” and “Runnin Into A Heartbreak,” songs that are gaining streams on numerous platforms including Spotify, YouTube, and increasingly on radio. Along with her story, enjoy some anecdotes, how a “fun hang” can help you discover your talents and follow your dreams, and even a deeper dive into today’s music industry.

Check out Madeline Consoer on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1bw2RHxmR0mo75zcrlarDo

Inside Sponsors:

• Ho-Chunk -  https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru

Shop Discover Wisconsin - 

https://shop.discoverwisconsin.com

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

Campfire Conversation: 

With the meat of snowmobiling season still just ahead of us, Eric, Ana, and Jake welcome Dylan Rose and Jack Sarama into The Cabin. These Wisconsin natives host the snowmobiling show Boondock Nation, where they tour all over the U.S. and Canada and sled coast-to-coast to showcase trails and destinations. In this episode, they focus on Wisconsin’s snowmobiling trails and destinations. Discussions include the extensive network of trails (over 25,000 miles of trails criss-cross Wisconsin), the intense work involved in grooming and maintaining thousands of those trail miles, plus some great stops along the way. Some particular destinations receive focus, including the Eagle River and Land O Lakes areas and over to St. Germain and Sayner, where the modern style snowmobile was invented. The trails in many North Woods areas and the adjoining U.P. of Michigan often use former railroad rights-of-way and expansive lakes that allow you to really “open up” on the trails. Additional trail systems exist throughout the state, including Langlade County which bills itself as the “county of trails.” Additional systems in southern Wisconsin, where the seasons are shorter for snowmobiling, also offer trails closer to the larger cities. When you wish to ride off-trail but still want to have guidance and avoid private property, apps like OnX Offroad help you do just that. Yes, some key apps and equipment for better snowmobiling gets covered in this episode, too. Some events centered around snowmobiling happen across the state too, including radar runs and group rides; we dive into some of those, too, including the one at Bent’s Camp near Land O Lakes, which Jack and Dylan frequent when they’re not filming out west. This episode will definitely prep you for snowmobiling season, and as Jack said, remember: in the end, we’re all squeezing the same throttle.

Connect to Boondock Nation: https://boondocknation.com/

Discover more about the onX Offroad app: https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app

Connect to the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs: https://awsc.org/

Get maps of snowmobile trails across Wisconsin: https://www.sco.wisc.edu/maps/snowmobile-trail/

Inside Sponsors:

• Washington County -  https://bit.ly/3qayJAL
• Shop Discover Wisconsin - https://shop.discoverwisconsin.com  

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

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric, Ana, and Jake dive into ice in this episode - well, not INTO ice but into the topic of the sculptures people make with ice around Wisconsin in wintertime. These are icy creations you can see, and sometimes even interact with.
Many are at festivals. Examples include the Knickerbocker Festival in Lake Mills, named after a company that harvested ice from the city’s own Rock Lake. They offer plenty of fun activities, including ice sculpting demonstrations throughout the downtown area and an ice bar with Tyranena Brewing Company, which was named after the lake’s original name. Other fun activities like ice golfing, ice skating, and an activity named “Ididherdad” which you’ll just have to hear about in the episode. This year, it takes place February 3-4, 2024.
Lake Geneva offers similar fun from January 30-February 4 with their classic Winterfest and US National Snow Sculpting Competition, which also features ice sculptures meticulously crafted and presented at locations throughout the city’s downtown. You can also enjoy Winter Realms at Geneva National in the Lake Geneva area, which opens in January and will continue as long as the weather allows. Winter Realms is an update of the annual Ice Castles event, featuring sleigh rides, an ice volcano, igloos, tubing activities, mesmerizing ice sculptures, and ice slides. Meander among snow caverns, tunnels and an ice throne as you experience a world of winter magic. 
More ice-filled events kicking off in January include the massive Waukesha Jan-Boree, a 10-day festival encompassing activities across the city from January 19-28. Ice-related activities include sculpting demos and completed works, ice skating, ice dancing, ice fishing clinics, and more. More sculptures and crafted ice art can be found nearby at events like New Berlin’s Winterfest January 6th and Dela-FREEZE in Delafield January 13th with live ice carvings taking place throughout the day.
At the other end of the state, late January features the Lake Superior Ice Festival in Superior the weekend of January 26th & 27th, which not only has ice carving and sculptures but an ice throne you can sit on! Just not for too long…
That weekend kicks off Friday the 25th with the Winterfest Ice Carving Competition in Green Bay, which pins carvers against each other to create works of art that are proudly displayed in the Broadway District for as long as the weather allows. And yes, they have an ice throne, too!
February festivals featuring ice carvings and sculptures include the Kenosha Snow Daze Festival February 4th, which includes tons of demonstrations; Winterfest in Cedarburg February 16-17, where the ice sculpting is a contest; and Appleton’s Avenue of Ice, which debuts the 3rd weekend in February every year with over 30 unique ice sculptures displayed in front of the unique boutiques, specialty shops and restaurants.
Other sites for ice sculptures include Roger Nelson’s Ice Formations, which is a place in Maiden Rock where the Rush River rushes towards the Mississippi and pushes enough water and ice up strategically placed wood and other materials to freeze on them and create some unique looks people are welcome to come and see. They have a Facebook page with photos and regular updates, as Mother Nature basically makes these at random.
One fantastic annual creation is in Eagle River: the Ice Castle. The beautiful monument to the city that heads up the World’s Largest Chain of Interconnected Freshwater Lakes and Snowmobile Capital of the World is perched at the western edge of the city’s downtown right where all the main roads converge. It dates back to 1933 and began with only 250 blocks of ice; today it utilizes over 3,000 blocks and rises over 20 feet, incorporating obelisks and colored flood lights that bring illumination all night long. The Ice Castle, made from foot-thick blocks of ice harvested from nearby lakes and rivers, generally rises around New Year’s and stays as long as weather allows. It’s a staple of Eagle River’s winters almost every year and a beautiful sculpture creation done by volunteers.
Companies like designed by Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures, LLC and Art Below Zero often create the ice sculptures for events, but many establishments hire companies and artists like these to create ice bars for them that patrons love to frequent whilst imbibing outdoors in the cold months. Ice Bars get set up in places like Titletown District establishments in Green Bay, Belair Cantina at The Corners of Brookfield in the Town of Brookfield, Third Ward and the Milwaukee Public Market in Milwaukee, at the Baker House during Winterfest in Lake Geneva, and many more spots around the state. Look forward to the big freeze and enjoy these icy works of art this winter in Wisconsin!

 

Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills info: https://enjoyjeffersoncounty.com/events/lake-mills-knickerbocker-ice-festival/

Winterfest/US National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva info: https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest/

Winter Realms at Geneva National: https://www.winterrealms.com/winter-realms-lake-geneva/

Cedarburg Winterfest: https://www.cedarburgfestival.org/winterfest

New Berlin Winterfest: https://www.newberlinwi.gov/1064/Winterfest

Kenosha Snow Daze: https://www.visitkenosha.com/event/snow-daze-festival/461/

Lake Superior Ice Festival: https://lakesuperioricefestival.com/

Green Bay Winterfest: https://downtowngreenbay.com/explore/broadway-events/winterfestonbroadway

DelaFREEZE: https://delafieldchamber.com/delafreeze

Waukesha JanBoree: https://www.janboree.org/

Rush River Ice Sculptures Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rush-River-Ice-Sculptures/100070987761204/

Inside Sponsors:

• Jefferson County -  https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

Shop Discover Wisconsin - 

https://shop.discoverwisconsin.com

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana discuss some holiday traditions popular in - and in some cases practically exclusive to - Wisconsin while educating Jake (a relative newcomer from California) on how awesome the holidays are in this state. Wisconsinites definitely have a sweet tooth, and traditions often brought from the “old country” gave the state tendencies to lean toward desserts and treats that others around the country don’t get to experience as often. We profile plenty of bakeries around the state baking up treats like stollen and Danish kringle (the official pastry of Wisconsin), along with holiday cookies, candied fruit, spices, and nuts. Even We Energies, formerly Wisconsin Electric Company, puts out their annual “Cookie Book” and has every year for generations at this point.
Both bars and traditional basement parties in Wisconsin would mix up quite a concoction of cocktails that are particularly popular in the holiday season, including the hot toddy, the Tom & Jerry, and the Brandy slush (this state consumes a lot of brandy.) Hot chocolate is also very popular, and some towns in the state have bars that organize “hot chocolate crawls” to keep people warm as they “crawl” from spot to spot.
Another big holiday tradition, especially in eastern Wisconsin, is tiger meat or steak tartare - raw beef with onions, salt, pepper, on rye. Some even crack raw egg on top. The German version - mettbröchen - consists of raw minced beef or pork & onions on a bread roll.. it’s known as the “cannibal sandwich” in the Milwaukee area. And yes, we discuss what the Department of Health has to say about these sandwiches.
The holiday decor is another topic, and those unique and cool-looking aluminum trees that became hugely popular in the early 1960s came out of Manitowoc, where they made them and shipped them all over the country. You can still find them, and enjoy a huge display of the in Manitowoc every holiday season with “Evergleams on Eighth” downtown. We cover all of this and more as we’re fully imbibed into the holidays on The Cabin!

Inside Sponsors:

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

Shop Discover Wisconsin - 

https://shop.discoverwisconsin.com

Ho-Chunk Nation main site: https://ho-chunknation.com/

Emmy award-winning video about Truman Lowe: https://youtu.be/oBltTFXKNLw

Campfire Conversation: 

We’re in full swing for holiday shopping, and Eric and Ana welcome Kortnee Hass into The Cabin for a cozy look at some great ideas for all the people in your life. Food is always a good gift, whether it’s authentic Danish kringle made and shipped from Racine; platters of cheese, sausage, nuts, crackers and more from a myriad of sources across the state; bacon from Nueske’s and other notable Wisconsin brands; maple syrup from Skinny Sticks or other sources; specialty popcorn from places like Minocqua Popcorn & Puffs or Faris Gourmet Popcorn & Treats; Sheboygan brats; or even turkey gizzards (an odd, but loved by some) from Bay View Packing Company in Milwaukee. Wisconsin beverages like Jolly Good Soda; specialty teas or coffee from one of Wisconsin’s many coffee roasters; or gift cards and passes for Old Fashioneds, craft beers, local wines, or craft spirits from the state’s many distilleries. Other crafted items such as candles, artistic custom skillets - some of which are in shapes like Wisconsin’s outline, and charcuterie (or, one brand, Char-MOO-terie) boards. Some gifts give back all year, like a State Park Pass for 2024 or City Tins, coasters that offer discounts at a variety of restaurants, breweries, and more throughout the year - the aforementioned “passports” at craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries do the same. Unique gifts include things like a Cow Yoga Calendar from Willow Creek Press. Of course, Discover Wisconsin and Cabin merch are great gifts too, and you can take advantage of some great options and holiday deals at shop.discoverwisconsin.com! Check out this episode and you might find yourself making major progress on your holiday shopping.

Find merch for Discover Wisconsin and The Cabin here: http://shop.discoverwisconsin.com

Get the Wisconsin Hop Passport for craft breweries here: https://www.hoppassport.com/partners/2024-wisconsin

Get the Wisconsin Old Fashioned Passport here: https://venturewisconsin.com/products/2024-old-fashioned-passport

Another great guide to Wisconsin holiday gifts: https://upnorthnewswi.com/2022/11/08/presents-with-purpose-your-guide-to-wisconsin-made-gifts-that-give-back/

Find the Cow Yoga calendar here: https://www.calendars.com/shop/cow-yoga-2024-wall-calendar/202400003882

Purchase a Wisconsin State Parks Pass for 2024 here: https://yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi

Inside Sponsors:

• Washington County - https://bit.ly/3qayJAL

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana tuck into the Cabin and prepare you for the wonders of Wisconsin comfort foods - those tasty treats and dishes that bring warmth and fill you up. They talk about the foods themselves like casseroles, pot pies, poutine, mac & cheese (lots of cheese), potato dishes, pasties, chili, and more. Shout-outs are given to some favorite spots for comfort foods around Wisconsin, including Monty’s Blue Plate Diner in Madison and Delta Diner in the North Woods in Bayfield County (both for their meat loaf among other dishes!); places like Real Chili in Milwaukee for chili; Mac’s and their multiple locations around Wisconsin for incredible mac & cheese combos; Shepherd’s Pie from places like Kitty O’Reilly’s in Sturgeon Bay, Stone Arch in Appleton, Dublin Square in La Crosse, O’Donoghue’s in Elm Grove, or County Clare in Milwaukee; plus Italian pastas, Cornish pasties, plus some key burgers and pizza around the state get highlighted. Desserts are comfort food too, and places like Norske Nook, Honeypie, Hubbard Avenue Diner, and Stockholm Pie (among many others) are famous for pies - and that’s just one dessert example. Wisconsin’s bevy of supper clubs are great places for big meals involving our favorite comfort foods as a state, they are highly recommended for the full experience! All of that and more gets covered in this episode of The Cabin.

Inside Sponsors:

• Menomonie Chamber: https://bit.ly/3q16T9Y
• Jefferson County: https://www.enjoyjeffersoncounty.com

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome Ramsay Plautz back into The Cabin for a hearty conversation on bushcrafting - that is, camping without all the creature comforts - in Wisconsin. Ramsay relates his previous experiences bushcrafting, where you only bring serious basics and travel as lightly as possible. He reiterates the four C’s of bushcrafting we covered during summer episodes on this topic, but adapted for winter. When bushcrafting, you make your own shelter, hunt or forage for your food, and be one with nature as much as possible. Of course you’ll need a survival kit attuned for winter, which is different from what you’d pack for summer. Ramsay covers those basics along with constructing the best shelter and winter foraging and hunting. We learn some interesting tidbits here, including the nutritional value of squirrels, pine cones, and more; getting and storing the best fresh water, which is actually much easier in snow-covered winter forests. You can use a number of natural items and tools in the forest, and Ramsay covers ways to make use of what is around you. He also covers some of the best places for true bushcrafting in winter and the best ways to stay safe, including monitoring and sensing weather conditions and how to handle animals - and anyone traveling with you. As a lone adventurer or with a group of friends, this episode helps winter campers truly test their skills when communing with nature - and it’s coldest and sometimes least forgiving. Join us for some winter bushcrafting inspiration!

Check out Ramsay’s IG channel here: @northmen_bushcraft or https://www.instagram.com/northmen_bushcraft

Inside Sponsors:

• Best Western (Region #7 Northwest) - https://bit.ly/3zCCK3f
• Wisconsin Counties Association - https://bit.ly/3ehxDHH

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome Adam Wallace into The Cabin to discuss the many VFW Posts and Halls that you’ll find all over the state, as well as the country. As State Adjutant for VFWs of Wisconsin, Mr. Wallace knows a thing or two about the history of these establishments and what they have to offer. We discuss how the Veterans of Foreign Wars posts were originally established in the wake of the first World War, how they function as a community resource for not only these veterans, but the entire community. We talk about how the posts get their numbers and names, the similarities and differences among them, how they relate with American Legion posts, how they serve as a gathering place and support center for veterans who have fought overseas, and how the general public is welcome. VFW Posts and Halls have great little bars in them with friendly patrons and fascinating history. Many offer a variety of menu options from their kitchen as well as event space that proves popular for everything from community meetings to wedding receptions. These VFWs across Wisconsin are part of a network across the nation and indeed the globe where these common themes are woven together. Adam, Ana, and Eric discuss some particular posts, sharing stories and stats that will help you notice the VFW posts and halls you see in your town and on your travels. Stop in and explore them when you have a chance!

Find out more about the Wisconsin VFW here: https://vfwwi.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp

VFW Posts of Wisconsin directory with links, Google Map locations, and more:: https://vfwwi.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=13797

Find out more about the Unmet Needs Program here: https://vfwwi.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=5646

Inside Sponsors:

• Ho-Chunk Nation  https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru
• Washington County  https://bit.ly/3qayJAL

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, where we get a chance to talk with Nicole from Jolly Good about the latest happenings. Jolly Good is available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome “Brick” into The Cabin to talk terrifying haunts for Halloween across Wisconsin. These are places rumored - and as far as some people are concerned, verified - to be haunted with some crazy and unexplained things that happen. Places like the Bloody Bride Bridge in Stevens Point - can you guess the stories behind that one? The legendary Summerwind Mansion - or what’s left of it - deep in the North Woods has had numerous reports of hauntings and more ever since its construction, the mysterious fire, and the aftermath ever since. Cemeteries are always rife with haunting rumors, and the Dartford Cemetery in Green Lake has a special reputation that Brick discusses. Similar for Sanitarium Hill in Madison, with plenty of history that just might freak you out. Milwaukee’s Ambassador Hotel has long been rumored to be haunted, as is Shaker’s Cigar Bar in Walker’s Point, which gives ghost tours. Manitowoc, home of Windigo Fest, has a major World War II-era submarine called the USS Cobia in the water and plenty of hauntings have been reported on the sub, where people can still spend the night. In Marinette County, McClintock County Park near Silver Cliff gives you an outdoor area to explore and make yourself vulnerable, while on the Door Peninsula the Institute Saloon lets you raise a glass of beer with the ghosts that hang out there. And the legend of the Mabel Tainter Theater in Menomonie is just not for elegant beauty in its architecture and staging wonderful shows; it, like many theaters, has some spooky stuff happening when the curtain is down. We discuss all of these and more in Haunted Wisconsin on the episode of The Cabin.

Inside Sponsors:

• Best Western Hotels: https://bit.ly/3zCCK3f
• Marshfield Clinic: https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana preview Halloween with the last big batch of events leading up to the holiday. Some celebrate the holiday with a bar crawl, which is as Wisconsin as it gets. Milwaukee is home to the “Milwaukee Official Halloween Bar Crawl” which features a multi-day pass to multiple venues in the city with drink specials, costume contests, “ghostly cocktails” and more. Multiple cities and towns across the state are having similar crawls, so check for one near you! Meanwhile, cities on Lake Winnebago have a lot of these events. At the bottom, Fond du Lac’s Witherell House – an old house built in 1853 – is filled with haunting stories and history and you can visit and experience some of that for yourself. Up in Oshkosh, the Grand Opera House offers ghost tours. The lovely building dates back to 1883 but like many performance venues, stories of hauntings and strange happenings abound; the Grand Oshkosh Haunted Happenings Ghost Tour will take you behind the scenes. Just north of there in Neenah, you can attend the Burial Chamber, where you can spend the night at a complex of haunted houses – and with opportunities like the “Trapped & Buried Alive Experience,” there’s a good chance you’ll get freaked out. Meanwhile to the east, Road America between Plymouth and Elkhart Lake hosts Wisconsin Fear Fest through Sunday the 29th with three terrifying haunted houses amidst the world-renown race track grounds. Over in Sheboygan, the Dominion of Terror is run by the local Jaycees and they know how to terrorize you in a haunted house with over 20 rooms; you can also check out a 45 minute escape room. Meanwhile down in Hartford, Terror on Rural Street is open one more time this weekend with a 17-room haunted house and over 30 actors bent on giving you a hair-raising experience – it’s one of the highest-rated haunted houses in the country! For an outdoor experience, you can check out the Little Park of Horrors in Menomonee Falls where you navigate a course in Old Falls Village Park outside, in the dark, and you have to be 13 or older to even try it. For an indoor experience designed to freak you out, it’s always wild at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! in downtown Wisconsin Dells. It offers over 200 ghoulish artifacts including cannibal skulls, two-headed calves, and the mummified head of a real serial killer – who some say haunts the building. Finally, if you want a moving experience (for real), the East Troy Railroad offers haunted dinner trains – and the Osceola Express in northwestern Wisconsin has rides too, more about pumpkins than hauntings – or is it?? Check these out for a wild experience as we approach Halloween!

Inside Sponsors:

• Washington County: https://bit.ly/3qayJAL
• Marshfield Clinic: https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

On the heels of Sunday’s National Cheese Curd Day, Eric and Ana welcome Samantha Buschman, the Instagrammer behind @wisconsin_cheese_please, into The Cabin. Samatha joined The Cabin remotely from her RV in Wyoming, where she found a restaurant offering “Wisconsin Cheese Curds” and they offered a side of honey, kicking off a conversation about dips for curds. Marinara and ranch are two of the most popular, but many variations exist; some add spices like Spanish Paprika, others offer aioli blends including a Bloody Mary aioli at Copper State Brewing in Green Bay. Some go sweeter with jam variations, others with more savory sauces. They all pair quite well - we all know how versatile cheese is! From there, the conversation delved into locations where you can find some of the best curds. Eric, Ana, and Samatha discussed some of their favorite fresh curds - often right from the factory - as well as fried curds across the state that are worth the trip. Highlights include cheese factories offering their curds fresh from Ellsworth - Wisconsin’s “Cheese Curd Capital” to Watertown with Kraemer Cheese with spots in between from Door County to the Driftless. Curds offering up in restaurants and select bars - usually fried, but not always - are listed by all three. Cheddar curds from places like Merchant and The Old Fashioned in Madison, Guu’s in Stevens Point, Courthouse Pub in Manitowoc, Parker John’s BBQ (where they blend chives and garlic into the batter), Bavette and Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, and many, many more. Curds are usually cheddar, but Muenster works well, such as at Sconnie’s in Schofield, Even curds made with goat cheese get a salute, with the ones at La Merenda in Milwaukee; their goat cheese curds are also served with Tia Paquita chorizo cream sauce. The variations are many, but all are delicious. Join us for the full list in this episode!

Inside Sponsors:

• Best Western (Region #5 - Central) https://bit.ly/3zCCK3f
• Ho-Chunk Nation https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana take you on a broad scope tour of southwestern Wisconsin, home to the land in the state that the glaciers went around, not over, and consequently has a topography unlike anywhere else in the state - or the Midwest. They cover a wide variety of topics across the area, including the unique history of southwest Wisconsin centered around mining; the state parks across the region including around Blue Mound, the highest point in southern Wisconsin; also unique towns with fascinating histories, points of interest, architecture, and more. Some hidden gems get revealed, such as Driftless Music Gardens outside tiny Yuba, to some of the most well-known attractions in the state like House on the Rock and Cave of the Mounds. They cover bigger cities like La Crosse to popular towns including New Glarus and Viroqua, to hamlets like Paoli, they all offer things to see and do that may surprise you. Join them for a look at a region that will inspire you to dive deeper and uncover some soon-to-be-favorite spots for yourself!

Inside Sponsors

• Visit Lake Geneva: https://bit.ly/3wHvilf
• Menomonie Chamber: https://bit.ly/3q16T9Y   
• Marshfield Clinic: https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Eric and Ana highlight some of the best apple orchards and pumpkin patches to maximize your Fall fun now that it’s October. Many of these include not only orchards and/or pumpkin patches, but other fun family-friendly activities from mini-train rides and kart tracks to petting zoos and make-your-own pizzas with fresh farm ingredients. Eric and Ana explored the offerings of Glacier Rock Farms near Ixonia; the popular Apple Holler on the Racine-Kenosha County line along I-41/94;, Ski-Hi Fruit Farm, nestled in the Baraboo Hills; Apple Hut near Beloit; Apple Barn west of Elkhorn; Seehafer Farms outside of Marshfield; Turner’s Fresh Market near Waupaca;, Polly’s Pumpkin Patch near Chilton, a place where Eric had filmed for a Discover Wisconsin episode on Calumet County; Helene’s Hilltop Orchard near Merrill; Basse’s Taste of Country on the Waukesha-Washington County line just west of Menomonee Falls; Mommsen’s Harvest Hills Pumpkin Patch and Orchard south of Rice Lake, where Eric also filmed with Discover Wisconsin and participated in some serious pumpkin chuckin’; Ecker’s Apple Farm outside of Trempealeau, which also offers live music and a craft beer bar; and Shanahan Orchard between Plain and Loganville in Sauk County. The discussion also zoned in on two specific areas known in Wisconsin for growing fruit: Bayfield County and Door County. These two counties feature more maritime climate tendencies than the rest of the state, and as such they’ve attracted clusters of growers. In Bayfield, they discussed Blue Vista Farm, Hauser’s Superior View, Hillcrest Orchards, Rabideaux’s Orchards, Sunset Valley Orchard, and North Wind Organic Farm, all part of a trail you can follow in the hills above Bayfield for a full day - or weekend or more - of fun! In Door County, Eric and Ana checked out Lautenbach’s Orchard Country & Wine Market, the Wood Orchard Market, Wildwood Market, and the Red Barn Corn Maze - which offers quite the challenging maze along with, as so many offer, pick-your-own options.

We wrap up the Campfire Conversation talking about the upcoming Discover Wisconsin episode on West Allis, with its neighborhood renaissance, emerging culinary scene, and renewed civic pride. Apurba Banerjee hosts this episode and Ana, as producer, discusses it all with us ahead of its release on the Discover Wisconsin app this Wednesday, October 4th, and on local broadcast channels as well as all the online stream options this weekend, October 7th & 8th.

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

Menomonie Chamber: https://bit.ly/3q16T9Y   

Marshfield Clinic: https://bit.ly/3Wj6pYj

Wood County: https://www.woodcountywi.gov/

Visit Marshfield: https://www.visitmarshfield.com/. Follow on social @VisitMarshfield  
Wisconsin Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau: https://www.visitwisrapids.com/. Follow in Instagram @visitwisrapids.

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; 

https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana discuss Wisconsin’s five designed scenic byways and why each is a beautiful drive, with a little help from our friends. Jon Jarosh from Destination Door County joins for a look at the Door County Coastal Byway, 66 miles of beauty and charming towns on the Door Peninsula along Highways 42 and 57, from Sturgeon Bay north to beautiful coasts, state and county parks, and towns like Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, Ellison Bay, Gills Rock, Baileys Harbor, and Jacksonport. Mary Motiff from Bayfield County (and the mayor of its county seat, Washburn) joins for the Lake Superior Scenic Byway conversation. The Byway covers 70 miles along Highway 13 in Bayfield County, showing off the beauty of the northern coast of the state from near Ashland through Washburn and Bayfield over to Cornucopia, Port Wing, and Herbster with beaches, forest, orchards, wineries, and even the first National Tribal Park in the nation along the way. Josh Ostermann joins Eric and Ana in The Cabin for a look at the others (yes, pizza gets a mention.) The ​Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway is the newest, covering 145 miles through the Nicolet National Forest and along the beautiful Wolf River, which has a National Scenic River designation. It winds through Forest, Langlade, Oneida and Vilas Counties along segments of Highways 55, 52, 32, and 70 with connections to a wide variety of multi-use, all-season trails. The Lower Wisconsin River State Scenic Byway covers 100 miles along Highway 60 from Lodi to Bridgeport by Prairie du Chien, giving you a nice cross-section of Wisconsin’s incredible Driftless Area and the shifting courses of the Wisconsin River and its valley. Finally, Wisconsin’s segment of the Great River Road gets covered as it runs along the Mississippi River from East Dubuque to Prescott. This multi-state byway actually begins in Minnesota and follows the Mississippi River for 10 states until it ends in New Orleans, Louisiana, but Wisconsin’s segment is the most scenic (by many measures, not just ours!) It covers 250 miles, much of it along Highway 35, through 33 river towns. These include some of the oldest settlements in the state, the dynamic city of La Crosse as well as Prairie du Chien (the only place where two state designated scenic byways meet) and charming smaller towns like Trempealeau, Stockholm, Pepin, Alma, Fountain City, and Potosi. You can enjoy many scenic overlooks, with some great birding opportunities including bald eagles. All in all, Wisconsin’s five designated scenic byways provide over 600 miles of road trip beauty and fun. Be sure to check out our Discover Wisconsin episode on the two coastal byways coming up!

Links to more:

Door County Coastal Byway: https://doorcountycoastalbyway.org/

Lake Superior Scenic Byway: https://www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/855/Scenic-Byway and https://www.bayfield.org/

Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway: https://nicoletwolfriverbyway.com/

Lower Wisconsin River Road Scenic Byway: 

https://www.facebook.com/Scenic60

 or 

http://statetrunktour.com/routes/60-2/

Wisconsin’s Great River Road: 

https://www.wigrr.com/

Speaking of, we also discuss some noteworthy events in Price County, including the beautiful fall colors getting ready to dazzle over the next few weeks. Along with that is the Christmas Tree Festival in Ogema coming up September 30th, the Phillips Fall Harvest Festival October 7th (to celebrate the cranberry production in Price County!), and Park Falls Fright Fest coming up October 28th. Other festivals include Phillips Winterfest in late January, June celebrations like Lumberman’s Day in Catawba and the Czech-Slovak Fest in Phillips, and Phillips On Tap, held every August. You can find out more about Price County activities and events by checking out PhillipsWisconsin.net or ParkFalls.com.

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana discuss Farm Dining, where the farm that produces the food also presents the meal, primarily using ingredients from their own farm while also sourcing other ingredients and dishes as locally as possible. Many farms are working in conjunction to present these Farm Dinners, and some of the best are discussed here. Places include Inn Serendipity Farm in Browntown; Campo di Bella in Mount Horeb; Hidden Acres Farm in Sister Bay; Stoney Acres Farm in Athens; The Borner Farm Project and Nesbitt’s Nursery & Orchard, both near Prescott; The Stone Barn in Nelson; Suncrest Gardens Farm in Cochrane; Sprouting Acres Farm in Cambridge; and North Star Homestead Farm near Hayward. Some unique features of each farm are noted, including the experience Eric had when filming such a meal at Meuer Farm in Calumet County and how art fairs and barn dances are brought into the experience at Holy Hill Art Farm in Hubertus. In one case, a James Beard Award semifinalist chef from Milwaukee, Dave Swanson, leaves his Milwaukee restaurant called Braise to conduct classes and cook meals on farms in special dinners that also offer farm tours, in a sense a reversal of farm-to-table - but the meal always uses the farm itself as the primary source for the elements of the three-course meal. Resources are available online for more too, including WIFarmToTable.com. 

We also went "Behind the Scenes" with producer Jessica Voukoun to preview the new Discover Wisconsin episode on Washington County, which airs and streams this coming weekend, September 16-17, and will be released on the Discover Wisconsin app Wednesday.

Inside Sponsors

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

Ho Chunk - https://bit.ly/3l2Cfru   

NAMI Walks - 

https://bit.ly/3KSk04N

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome Discover Wisconsin Brand Manager Kortnee Hass into The Cabin for an extensive look at experiences that are unique to Wisconsin. They include dining experiences like the Madison Jet Room, where Ana recounts not only the meals but the views of planes doing their thing at Dane County Regional Airport. Not too many of these places exist at airports anymore, but Madison still offers the experience. The experience of mail delivery on Geneva Lake is also something you’ll find only in Wisconsin, where people deliver mail by boat, jumping off the boat, popping mail into the box, and jumping back on the boat - all while the boat is in motion (and yes, sometimes they miss!) Freshwater surfing is Sheboygan is a unique experience, since the geography and sandbars tend to make for some of the best lake waves you’ll find anywhere - helping Sheboygan earn the moniker “Malibu of the Midwest.” Speaking of beaches, Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island features beautiful, rounded rocks that you can visit and enjoy, something hard to find anywhere else. Wisconsin’s supper clubs are pretty unique unto themselves - a true gem of a meal experience you can only have in Wisconsin. Eric noted that Wisconsin is the only state where you can experience two Great Lakes coasts and the Mississippi River, with its bevy of recreational opportunities. And while you can get cheese anywhere, Chalet Cheese outside Monroe is the only place in the U.S. where you can experience the making of the infamous cheese known as Limburger! Some of the World’s Largest things can only be found in Wisconsin, whether it’s a “M “ (at Platteville), a Six Pack (La Crosse), a Chain of Freshwater Lakes (Eagle River), a Fly-In (Oshkosh), or Waterpark (Wisconsin Dells.) Numerous festivals offer unique experiences, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, the annual Cow Chip Toss (Prairie du Sac), or the U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition (Lake Geneva), Even some names are only found in Wisconsin, like Waunakee or Oconomowoc. There’s an island of only goats (Jefferson), a unique children’s garden with lighted tunnels and a library (Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan), a museums dedicated to Harley-Davidson Motorcycles (Milwaukee), Woodcarving (Shell Lake), and all things eclectic like House on the Rock, which is without question something you can only experience in Wisconsin. Craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries offer unique experiences, as do the extensive cranberry marsh tours you can take, the experience of a Milwaukee Brewers game under the only fan-shaped convertible stadium roof in the world, or - of course - legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay. We dive into all of these and more in this fun and unique episode!

Inside Sponsors

Jefferson County - https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau  

Menomonie Chamber - https://bit.ly/3q16T9Y  

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome not only Josh Ostermann into The Cabin, but Ron Faiola, author of Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience as well as two follow-up books on the topic du jour: Wisconsin Supper Clubs. As the second part of our supper club series, we again discussed the merits of a Wisconsin Supper Club versus places that use the term in other states - it can be vastly different. We also discussed Ron’s experiences with researching and writing his books on supper clubs across the state before diving into some more examples of terrific clubs to visit. They included places in cities, like Milwaukee’s Jackson Grill - one example of a supper club that had closed for a while but reopened - and Toby’s Supper Club in Madison. We went to different corners of the state, from 3 Mile Supper Club in the extreme southwest to Hob Nob in the Racine/Kenosha area in the southeast and from Dreamland Supper Club in South Range near Superior in the northwest to River’s Edge outside Marinette in the northeast. Unique features or histories of some supper clubs were discussed, including the first chilled salad bar in the United States making its debut at the Sky Club in Plover; the many many many antlers and animal pelts at Antlers Supper Club in Bonduel; the beautiful surroundings at Ishnala on Mirror Lake in Wisconsin Dells; the 160-oz. Steak challenge at Black Otter Supper Club in Hortonville; and more. Get inspired and find a cozy, tasty supper club near you by listening to this episode, and feel free to check out Ron’s full research with his books and website, links are below!
_____________________________

Links:

Check out Ron Faiola’s website on Wisconsin Supper Clubs, kept updated regularly, here:

https://wisconsinsupperclubs.com/

Order “Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience” by Ron Faiola here:

https://www.amazon.com/Wisconsin-Supper-Clubs-Old-Fashioned-Experience/dp/1572841427/ref=asc_df_1572841427/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312144625645&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3744708080288534679&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018747&hvtargid=pla-570094122871&psc=1   

Order “Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round” by Ron Faiola here:

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjR2cXM9v-AAxU-9-MHHVyRDJwYABAEGgJ5bQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi7GnBhDXARIsAFLvH4m8EadXbePpJK2q8XoheAcdNIZkIG0boRUdv_vUM5-B2lyGGOUQy7caAowDEALw_wcB&sig=AOD64_0fXrVfBqx_Fgybod92EfsfLelBNA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjN5r3M9v-AAxUTkIkEHdRlBI8Q9aACKAB6BAgDECE&adurl=

Order Ron’s newest book “The Wisconsin Supper Clubs Story: An Illustrated History, With Relish” here:

https://www.amazon.com/Wisconsin-Supper-Clubs-Story-Illustrated/dp/1572843039/ref=asc_df_1572843039/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507843573010&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3744708080288534679&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018747&hvtargid=pla-1291982944052&psc=1

Inside Sponsors

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

Wisconsin Counties Association: 

https://bit.ly/3ehxDHH

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4    

Campfire Conversation:  

Eric and Ana welcome Susan Kennedy from the Taliesin Preservation Society to discuss and follow the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, which connects 9 sites designed by the legendary architect. We discuss the trail’s creation and the process and then begin on its eastern end in Racine with a look at the SC Johnson Wax headquarters building and the 9-story Johnson Wax Research Tower on the SC Johnson campus just south of downtown Racine. We proceed north to Wind Point to Wingspread, once the Johnson family home and now host to numerous events and tours. The trail heads into Milwaukee to the Burnham Block, a prime example of Wright’s American System-Built Homes concept that he pursued with a goal of making quality single family homes more affordable. We veered slightly off the official trail to explore the Greek Annunciation Church, a Wright-designed church that was one of his last commissions; it opened in the early 1960s. From Milwaukee we make a beeline to Madison for two stops: the first is Monona Terrace, Madison’s major convention center on the shores of Lake Monona. Designed by Wright in the 1940s, one of his next generation students made the design adjustments that allowed Monona Terrace to be constructed and finally opened in 1997. The second Madison stop is the First Unitarian Society Meeting House on the west side of the UW-Madison campus and was for a church Wright attended. From Madison we head west on U.S. 14 to Spring Green and explore the area where Wright lived. His home just south of Spring Green, Taliesin, is by far the most popular site on the trail; tours of Taliesin and tales of its remarkable history bring in people from around the world. Wright’s influence can be seen in Spring Green itself, with numerous buildings adopting his styles. Taliesin looks over the beautiful Wyoming Valley, where another one of Wright’s buildings was constructed as the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, which was the only public elementary school Wright designed - and he donated the school and his work for free, in honor of his mother. The final stop on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail is further west to his birthplace of Richland Center, where the A.D. German Warehouse stands. Wright’s only warehouse design is a four-story brick structure topped by a magnificent concrete frieze that is said to resemble a Mayan temple. The warehouse is an example of early poured-concrete construction, and the building rests on a pad of cork for stability and shock absorption. It is the only remaining commercial structure designed by Wright that still exists from his “organic” or “natural” period. Each of these structures tells a story and, while only 9 of Wright’s 200 Wisconsin works, represent some of his most notable. Along the 200-mile trail are a bevy of cities, towns, parks, and other locations to grab a bite, go for a hike, take advantage of lakes and rivers or just cruise from stop to stop. The Frank Lloyd Trail may be a hidden gem for many, but it showcases some world-famous works and should be on your road trip and exploration list. You can get more details on each designated stop at FrankLloydWrightTrail.org.

Susan also discussed with Eric and Ana the new exhibit that recently opened in Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport’s Art Court: “The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Places to Live, Learn, Work, and Worship.” This area, open to the public, is in the main lobby of the airport and will run through January 28, 2024.  

Links: https://www.franklloydwrighttrail.org/  

(App is available in the Apple and Google Play Stores)

More on the Dane County Regional Airport exhibit on Frank Lloyd Wright: https://www.channel3000.com/features/in-the-608-dcra-honoring-work-of-frank-lloyd-wright-in-new-exhibit/article_58b77e8e-2492-11ee-b7ca-47c281b15c5d.html

Inside Sponsors

Washington County:  https://bit.ly/3qayJAL  

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome Josh Ostermann back in The Cabin to talk road trips around Wisconsin. Eric shares some road history, including how Wisconsin is the first governmental body to devise and implement a system of numbers to identify roads. They discuss his website StateTrunkTour.com, which explores roads end-to-end and showcases interesting stuff along the way. Why the name? Because a “trunk road” is a road that connects two places of importance - it’s a term originally used by the railroads when they had “trunk lines.” Together in this Campfire Conversation, the three discuss travels on certain highways such as the Great River Road, scenic byways in Door County and along Lake Superior, and several of the numbered highways that criss-cross the state, including a highlight of Highway 33 from Port Washington to La Crosse, which offers a remarkable cross-section of Wisconsin with plenty to do and see along ithe way.

Follow @statetrunktour on Facebook and Instagram and see https://www.statetrunktour.com/ for more!

Inside Sponsors

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

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4   

Campfire Conversation: 

Eric and Ana welcome frequent collaborator Apurba Banerjee back into The Cabin for a second look at “Worldwide Cuisine in Wisconsin.” Sure, we love our cheese, brats, and beer but sometimes you want to experience something less common and more exotic. We head across the state to find places you can enjoy dishes from around the world. We highlight southeast Asia a fair amount in this conversation, so Apurba does a little analysis on the differences in, for example, Korean cuisine vs. Thai vs. Lao, especially with their use of spices. Eric, Ana, and Apurba then dive into a variety of locations where you can experience Filipino Lumpia, Korean BBQ, Pho (watch how you pronounce it!), Tom Yum and Tom Kai Soup, Momo, and more southeast Asian dishes. We also discuss African dishes such as Sambua, Josef rice, peanut stew, fufu (a pounded yam), spicy beef eugusi, and more; Indian and Himalayan dishes from Smoke Tandoori Chicken and Lamb Chops to achaar, Biryani dishes, Dal, Chickpea Masala, and more.We also touch on South America with emerging Peruvian and Venezuelan cuisine becoming increasingly popular across Wisconsin. Plus, a little shout-out to Polish food with a pierogi place on the peninsula - of Door. Where you can get these fantastic foods? We share it with you in “World Cuisine in Wisconsin, Part 2,” this week’s episode of The Cabin!

Inside Sponsors

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

NAMIWalks: 

https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.event&eventID=1358

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4  

Campfire Conversation:  

Eric and Ana welcome both Josh Ostermann and Jared Schutz into The Cabin to discuss some favorite dive bars in southeastern Wisconsin. They discuss and define dive bars again – as they did in the first edition in this series – and then proceed to cover a number of bars that fit that definition in the state’s SE corner. Jared discusses dive bars in the Pleasant Prairie and the Kenosha area where the mix of Cubs fans versus Brewers fans is a little higher before moving on to other parts of the region. Eric dives deeply into Cudahy and West Allis, where the concentration of “dive bars” is higher in part due to the longtime existence of factories that ran 24 hours and catered to multiple shifts of workers. Ana and Josh add a mixture of dive bars and breweries that have risen from traditional dive bars. Is this an exhaustive list? Not by any means – there are a TON of them in the area! But check out this discussion and feel free to message us with your favorites. And see what Jared is up to with his dive bar adventures by following him at @wisco_dive_bars!

Inside Sponsors

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

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4  

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana discuss some of Wisconsin’s favorite things: cheese and wine. It begins with some background on wines and cheeses, some notable facts, and even some suggested pairings – but just a few, they’re not connoisseurs or sommeliers after all. With some input from audio engineer Logan, Eric and Ana then dive into a bevy of wineries, cheese shops, and some other key spots that not only offer some great wines and cheeses but who also have pairing ideas at the ready, or cheese boards pre-selected to match certain wines. Places like Jones Dairy Farm in Fort Atkinson and the sister wineries of Stable Rock and Lewis Station in Jefferson and Lake Mills, respectively, and examples just in Jefferson County. They head to the Driftless to highlight wineries like Wild Hills near Muscoda and Elmaro near Trempealeau; to Central Wisconsin for Sunset Hills in Stevens Point and Wollersheim in Prairie du Sac; eastern Wisconsin for SoLu Winery & Meadery near Dundee and the Door Peninsula for Parallel & Door 44 along with Door Peninsula Winery; and many others. Select wine bars feature pairings, including Mary Kate’s in Eagle River or Tabi’s Lake Country in Hartland; cheese shops including The Village in Wauwatosa and Mullins Cheese in Mosinee feature select wines to go with various cheeses. This is just a partial list, check out the full episode for the recommendations – and feel free to add comments or DM us with more as there will probably be a part 2 of this one!

Inside Sponsors

Jefferson County: https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4  

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana are joined by Ramsay Plautz to talk about foraging in the woods of Wisconsin. They discussed safety, which is first and foremost since many plants, berries, mushrooms and more have look-alike variations that are no edible or may have likely contaminants based on where you find them. Ramsay shared places where you're allowed to forage along the ethics and unwritten rules behind it. Also, which plants are available across various times of the year; for example, wild blueberries are usually available early July through mid-August while blackberries and raspberries tend to be available mid-July into September. Wild asparagus grows along some roadsides; wintergreen grows throughout the wild and can, like dandelions, be used for a healthy tea. And did you know that pine needles have 3x the vitamin C of an orange?  

Numerous other "wild" foods are discussed, too. Additional resources on foraging can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website; in books like Midwest Foraging, Fall Foraging in the Northwoods, and Wisconsin Wild Foods; even Ramsay's Instagram, @northmenbushcraft.

Let’s get back to our roots - literally! With this episode on foraging.

Inside Sponsors

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

Washington County: https://bit.ly/3qayJAL  

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana – with Logan too – hit the water in this Campfire Conversation, highlighting some Wisconsin’s “Must Visit” water recreation locations.  Much of the conversation begins in the north, with the Apostle Islands and its bevy of options in Lake Superior. The Brule River, known as the “River of Presidents” for its history as a popular fishing and getaway spot for U.S. presidents in the early 20th century, also gets some love as its flows into Lake Superior not too far to the west. Hopping the subcontinental divide, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers all of fun and natural beauty you could expect from a river. The Wild Rivers Conservancy is active along the river, and the waterfalls coupled with fishing, paddling, and hiking along the shore offer abundant options for an adventurous day. We also cover the Vets on the River Program, which is active on the St. Croix. Flowing into the St. Croix in western Wisconsin is the Apple River, which offers tubing, floating, and a variety of popular water recreation activities in the areas around Somerset, making it a big summer destination. Of course the Wisconsin River gets its due, whether you’re fishing in the Eagle River area, water skiing with the best of them in Wisconsin Rapids, touring the sandstone and limestone bluffs around Wisconsin Dells, or kayaking the Lower Wisconsin Waterway. The Wolf River runs through much of the North Woods and offers unbelievably amazing fishing. Ana dives into the Madison “chain o’ lakes” (literally too, in real life) as she and Eric discuss the many options of Lake Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa in the Capitol region. Other chains of lakes popular in Wisconsin also draw a wide variety of water recreation opportunities, including the chains around Eagle River, the Cisco chain on the Wisconsin-U.P. border west of Land O’Lakes, and the Waupaca Chain O’Lakes. In the south, Geneva Lake and its nearby companions – including Delavan Lake and Lake Como – draw plenty of crowds but still offer areas of serenity. Geneva Lake is one of the deepest spring-fed lakes in the state; Green Lake, in central Wisconsin, takes the title of the deepest. Its also hugely popular for boating, fishing, and water skiing. Up for whitewater rafting? Head to northeastern Wisconsin and check out the rapids on the Menomonee River! Comparisons to rivers in the Mountain West are frequently made to a section of the Menomonee between Niagara and Pembine, where the rapids and drops are truly an adventure. The Peshtigo River in Oconto and Marinette Counties also offers fantastic kayaking and canoeing; the whole area teems with waterfalls. For extra twists and turns, we recommend heading to the Driftless Region in southwestern Wisconsin and exploring the Kickapoo River, which is one of the crookedest rivers in the Midwest – if not the country. Some great options for rentals can be found in Ontario, near Wildcat Mountain State Park. We didn’t forget the cities, either: explore charter fishing opportunities off the lakeshore in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Port Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Algoma, Kewaunee, Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, Oconto, or Marinette on Lake Michigan, or from Ashland, Bayfield, or Superior on Lake Superior! And for paddling in urban areas, it’s hard to beat the La Crosse area on the Black and Mississippi Rivers – especially Pools 7 and 8 – or kayaking amidst the bustling action and tall buildings in Milwaukee on the Milwaukee, Menomonee, or Kinnickinnic Rivers in the heart of the city. Let’s just say your options are many – and we offer plenty to choose from on The Cabin today!

Inside Sponsors

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

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

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

Find out even more about Calumet County and its many things to enjoy here:

Instagram: @travelcalumet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelCalumet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelcalumet3370

https://www.travelcalumet.com

County; https://bit.ly/3KjNc3T

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we

remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for

mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based,

you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn

more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

It’s a Campfire Conversation about… camping! Eric and Ana welcome Apurba Banerjee into The Cabin to

go “under the tent” and talk about everything from camping to glamping – including what helps define

the differences. Select locations for some of the best camping – including great activities, beautiful

scenery, and more – include many of Wisconsin’s state parks. Shout-outs go to Big Bay, Wyalusing,

Kegonsa, Interstate, Peninsula, Rock’s Island, Devil’s Lake, Mirror Lake, Yellowstone Lake (an Audio Dave

“hidden gem” from back in the day), and Hartman Creek, among others. Units within the Kettle Moraine

State Forest, especially Lapham Peak, get discussed as well as select recreation areas like the famous-

but-often-overlooked Bong Recreation Area. We also cover some camping areas that are businesses,

including Rustic Timbers in Door County and some of the Jellystone Park options, which often pair

family-focused activities along with whatever variety of camping you choose. For a more “out there”

wilderness experience, you can camp at locations all over the North Woods, including along the Peshtigo

River in Oconto and Marinette Counties where you go waterfalling nearby. Also covered are the Apostle

Islands and Apurba shares the story of Camp Wandawega, which offers a throwback experience. You’ll

want to pitch your tent after enjoying the episode!

Inside Sponsors

WCA: https://bit.ly/3ehxDHH

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

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4  

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana inspire to you enjoy a nice retreat or relaxing getaway with some places you can check out across Wisconsin that specialize in the getaway, immersion, or retreat experience. A modern retreat can cover anything from a weekend of not using your mobile phone (digital detox) to a few days of relaxation and healthy living in a bucolic countryside setting (wellness or mindfulness retreats). You can also go on a retreat to kickstart a new fitness regime, relieve stress, practice meditation and spiritual exercises, enjoy outdoor activities or cookery classes, tap into your creativity, improve sleep or self-esteem, have life-coaching - and, yes, lose weight if you must, although this is more often a side-effect to healthier living. Or, you can go on a retreat to do nothing at all. The word retreat means ‘draw back,’ after all. A variety of retreat options are offered; in the category of camping and recreation, we discuss Woodwind Park, Bent’s Camp, Big Rock Creek, and Camp Anokijig, which focuses on children. In the Spa/Resort category, we note several in the Lake Geneva and Sheboygan areas, including Grand Geneva, Lakelawn, and the Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva along with Sundara and Blue Harbor in Sheboygan plus the American Club's Kohler Waters Spa in nearby Kohler. We also cover The Edgewater Hotel & Spa near near the Capitol in Madison. For Artist Retreats, we cover the Woodland Ridge Retreat Center, Prairie Hill retreat, Durward's Glen (an artist’s cottage) and Bethel Horizons with its Adamah Art Studio. For Spiritual retreats, we note the Christine Center, The Wilderness, the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc, and Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton. Then we do a deeper dive with guest Anne Krogstad, who recently went to the Wild Rice Retreat near Bayfield.

If you’ve been considering a retreat or specialized getaway, this episode could provide the guidance and inspiration to help you find a place that can match what you may want – or need!

Inside Sponsors

Jefferson County: https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

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

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

and send meat, fur, fish, and lumber by rail to markets in Chicago, Milwaukee, Escanaba and

the Twin Cities. Some campsites and cabins initially made up Bent’s Camp, with a bar and

restaurant soon sprouting up along with additional cabins. Today, Bent’s Camp features 13

cabins, the oldest which dates back to its 1896 opening. The full service bar and restaurant –

located right on the restaurant and bar right on the shoreline, full service bait shop, and any

amenties people need for anything from a fishing weekend to an extended family vacation.

Situated on Mamie Lake, Bent’s Camp offers incredible opportunities for sportsmen and anyone

seeking recreational fun. The Cisco Chain of Lakes consists of 15 lakes total, including Mamie,

that offer over 270 miles of shoreline surrounded by forests and abundant wildlife. These

pristine, spring-fed waters are fantastic for fishing as well as water sports. Ice fishing and

snowmobiling dominate the winter activities, which are complemented by the annual Radar

Run – and the fan favorite Bikini Run – right on the ice in front of Bent’s Camp. Speaking of

events, they have a summer music festival called Northwoodstock, which brings in a mix of

national and local acts in July! NorthwoodstockMusicFest.com.

Such a rich history full of stories gave Craig, Jack, and others inspiration to begin documenting

photos and stories in what will soon become a book on Bent’s Camp history. We’ll keep you

posted on that! Plenty of stories get shared in this episode, which will inspire you to head for

Land O’Lakes and experience Bent’s Camp for yourself.

Learn more about Bent’s Camp at https://www.bents-camp.com and follow them on Facebook,

Instagram, YouTube and more @bentscampresort!

County; https://bit.ly/3EB1RDp

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we

remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for

mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based,

you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn

more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric, Ana, and Loga welcome Harmon Marien into The Cabin to discuss fishing across Wisconsin, where

you have 15,000+ lakes, thousands of miles of streams and rivers, the Mississippi River, and two Great

Lakes from which to choose. Harmon fished competitively through his high school in Eagle River - an

area amidst the World’s Largest Chain of Interconnected Freshwater Lakes – and continues to in college.

Fishing teams among schools are growing significantly (which makes sense, since fish cluster in schools,

too.) Part of the conversation includes how the tournaments work and how they’re growing in the

state. We also discussed best times of the season to fish – depending in part on what types of fish you’re

after – and the benefits or lack thereof of various types of cover.

Some locations noted include “pools,” including Pools 7 and 8 in the Mississippi River in the La Crosse

area and the Winnebago Pool waters consisting of Lakes Poygan and Butte de Morts along the Fox

Waterway heading into Lake Winnebago, where sturgeon spearing is quite popular in winter. The waters

in Green Bay and Lake Michigan around the Door Peninsula and Sturgeon Bay offer unique world class

fishing opportunities. Chains of lakes include the largest in the Eagle River and St. Germain areas, as well

as the Hayward Lakes chains along with the Chippewa Flowage in northwestern Wisconsin. In central

Wisconsin, the chain of lakes around Waupaca and the Mendota/Monona/Waubesa/Kegonsa chain in

the Madison area offer excellent fishing, with smaller gems nearby like Hope Lake, Lake Ripley, and Rock

Lake in Lake Mills. Spring-fed Green Lake is another fishing gem, and with depth going down several

hundred feet, it is the deepest inland lake in the state. Along with Lake Winnebago, Lake Koshkonong

offers many benefits of shallow lake fishing, especially with many areas offering cover. The many

interior rivers of Wisconsin offer incredible fishing opportunities, with some of the best being Wolf River

in northeastern and central Wisconsin, the Brule River in northwestern Wisconsin (known as the “River

of Presidents” for its history), and the Kickapoo River in the Driftless Area, where trout streams abound.

Along the Great Lakes coastlines, areas like Bayfield on Lake Superior and ports at Sheboygan, Algoma,

Kewaunee, Port Washington, Racine, and Kenosha offer fantastic options for charter fishing and even

just fishing off of piers and breakwaters. The bottom line? If you want to fish, Wisconsin has practically

every option you could want in nearly every part of the state across every season.

Inside Sponsors

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

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

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

County; https://bit.ly/3yn6z5r

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we

remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for

mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based,

you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn

more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric, Ana, and Logan dive into Wisconsin’s bevy of summer music festival choices. Summerfest is a

dominant one, along the lakefront in Milwaukee, with over 600 performances across 11+ stages over 9

days. It embraces a variety of genres from the largest titans in the music industry to local and emerging

performers with niche audiences. We have a discussion with Sarah Pancheri, President of Summerfest,

to discuss what’s new and happening for 2023 as Summerfest runs June 22-24, June 29-July 1, and July

6-8 this year. But a plethora of other music festivals around Wisconsin invite you, including some major

country festivals: Country Fest in Cadott, Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Country Jam in Eau Claire,

Country Boom in West Salem, the Hodag Country Festival in Rhinelander and more. We also discuss Mile

of Music, a unique festival in downtown Appleton with over 200 artists performing across 40 venues –

which cover about a mile. Rock, folk, Americana, and even bluegrass get covered with events like Rock

Fest in Cadott, the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee (both the weekend of July 13-

15); the Blue Ox Music Festival and Eaux Claires, both in the Eau Claire area; events at Driftless Music

Gardens near Hillsboro and the Driftless Music Festival in Viroqua; the Sugar Maple Music Festival in

Madison; the unique Northwoodstock at Bent’s Camp west of Land O’Lakes, which we covered in a

bonus episode with Bent’s Camp; plus bluegrass festivals in Shawano, near Green Bay in Brown County,

and the Brittany Saylor Bluegrass Festival. There’s even Lifest, a Christian music festival near Oshkosh.

We have details on each in this episode to help you plan to attend your favorites!

Inside Sponsors

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

Washington County: https://bit.ly/3qayJAL

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

our mobile Cabin – which set up in her offices at the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce – to talk about

what Eric calls the “James Brown of the Northwoods – the hardest-working town up here.” Rhinelander

does have quite a history of manufacturing prowess that has gone with the city’s lumber processing

history, a nod to its location along the Wisconsin River. Murals salute this history, and you can

increasingly find such references in the downtown area. One of the main topics is Rhinelander’s

legendary Hodag, which celebrates 130 years in existence in 2023. The legend has received national

attention since its inception, getting mentions on Scooby Doo episodes and a shout-out in one of J.K.

Rowling’s books. The Hodag still looms large, having just been named the best high school mascot in the

country. We discuss how the Hodag has changed over years, the small statues of hodags around town

(and by the way, you can pose with the World’s Largest Hodag statue at the Rhinelander Chamber), and

how you can go around and visit the hodag statues and win prizes. There’s a large and relatively unique

country fest every July in Rhinelander called the Hodag Country Festival; we discuss that and the first

Hodag Heritage Festival that just took place in May. We also cover other places to visit in Rhinelander,

from historic locales to emerging restaurants and shops that showcase the increasing diversity in cuisine

and recreation options in town. It’s all capped off under the beautiful green dome atop the Oneida

County Courthouse. Check out all the details in this fun Bonus episode!

Find out more about Rhinelander’s Hodag Country and its many sights to see and enjoy here:

Instagram: @explorerhinelander

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhinelanderWisconsin/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjW5uZ1y6Vge9eNsimpyBAQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rhinelanderwi/

https://www.explorerhinelander.com/

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we

remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for

mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based,

you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn

more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric, Ana, and Logan welcome John Heasley into The Cabin as we all go stargazing. Some of the best

places in the state for truly dark skies and great viewing are discussed, including Newport State Park in

Door County, which is Wisconsin’s only International Dark Sky Park. But other areas designated as “dark

sky” viewing areas exist in the state including the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Park in Vernon County,

nearby Wildcat Mountain State Park, and the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway along Highway 60 (a lot of

these “dark skies” areas are in the Driftless!) We also discuss observatories across the state, including

Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, which opened in 1897, served as the birthplace of modern

astrophysics and still hosts the World’s Largest Refracting Telescope. Other observatories include Hobbs

Observatory in the Chippewa Valley, the Leif Everson Observatory in Door County, and the Washburn

Observatory on the UW-Madison campus. For events, don’t forget Wisconsin Observers Weekend is

coming up June 15 th -18 th in Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca, and the Northwoods Star Fest goes

on August 18 th -20 th in Beaver Creek Reserve near Eau Claire. We get full Moons on July 3 rd and August 1 st

& 30 th this summer, with an evening gathering of the Crescent Moon, Venus, and Mars on the Summer

Solstice (June 21 st ) this year. Also, the next Perseid Meteor Shower is the weekend of August 11 th -13 th ,

while during much of August Saturn will be quite visible in the evening sky and relatively easy to view

and admire through a telescope. Astronomers’ clubs offer resources and gatherings, too. Check out

https://wisconsinastronomy.org for clubs and programs, and listen here for details!

Inside Sponsors

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

Wild Eagle Lodge: https://bit.ly/2WhX1r9

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric, Ana, and Logan discuss “must try” ice cream shops to help kick off June Dairy Month across Wisconsin. It begins with a discussion of what ice cream and how it’s made, as well as how it differentiates from some other frozen treats. From Sweeden Sweets in Superior to Scoop’s Ice Cream & Candy in Kenosha, we cover the entire state. Others noted include The Pearl in La Crosse; Mullen’s Dairy Bar with locations in Watertown & Oconomowoc; the classic Wilson’s in Ephraim. open since 1906; Scoop de Ville in Hartford, Olson’s in Chippewa Falls, Purple Door in Milwaukee; the Hawkeye Dairy Store in Abbotsford; the Historic Washington House in Two Rivers, home to where the ice cream sundae was invented; South Pier Parlor in Sheboygan; King Cone in Plover; Amy’s Candy Kitchen in Cedarburg; Lily's Ice Cream Parlor in McFarland; Frostie Freeze in Fort Atkinson; Pirate's Hideaway in Eagle River; Cathy's Ice Cream stand in St. Germain; Sassy Cow Creamery in Columbus; Atwood Scoop and the Chocolate Shoppe in Madison; plus chains like Kilwin's and The Chocolate Factory. A few custard stands get mentioned too, since we got in the mood. And of course, there's Babcock Dairy Hall on the UW-Madison campus, where a proper measurement of butterfat content in ice cream was created and the ice cream is spectacular.

Inside Sponsors

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

Menomonie Chamber: https://bit.ly/3q16T9Y

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

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana welcome disc golfer Andrew Kangas into The Cabin as we talk about disc golf as one of the great – if not underrated – outdoor summer activities in Wisconsin. Turns out Wisconsin ranks as the 4th best disc golf state in U.S., with 426 courses, 165 courses w/ 18 + holes, 124 leagues, 51 stores that sell disc golf gear. Andrew discussed some of the finer points of the game as well as the equipment  - which is relatively simple, making it a low-cost sport to get into. A variety of course options we also discussed, from rural in the North Woods like Sandy Point Disc Golf Ranch in Lac du Flambeau, WI to urban in southeast Wisconsin like Dretzka Park in Milwaukee. Some disc golf courses are situated on regular golf courses, some follow pathways in the forest. The variety makes play a unique experience every time Other venues discussed included Rollin Ridge in Reedsville, Silver Creek Park in Manitowoc, a 36-hole disc golf courses right on the shores of Lake Michigan, and others across the state. Listen to discover one near you!

Discover Wisconsin Producer Bo Chovan also joins us in The Cabin with a Behind the Scenes look at the upcoming Janesville episode, which begins streaming on the DW app May 24th at 4pm and airs this Memorial Day weekend, when it also becomes available on all streaming channels.

Inside Sponsors

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

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

Marshfield Clinic; All of Us Research Program;

 https://bit.ly/3Wj6pY

Find out more about the Lake Geneva Area and its many sights to see and enjoy here:

Instagram: @VISITLakeGeneva

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylakegeneva

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mylakegeneva/

https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/

More on The Beauty and the Beast Celebrity Golf Match at Geneva National: 

https://www.destinationgn.com/beauty-beast

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana start a series that we’ll revisit numerous times covering ethnic festivals throughout Wisconsin. Being almost the 17th of May, we begin with the Norwegian festival of Syttende Mai, which is the Norse translation of May 17th and celebrates their Independence Day. Since Stoughton has the biggest Syytende Mai celebration in Wisconsin, we welcomed Callie LaPoint and Sarah Ebert into The Cabin to tell us more in detail about Syttende Mai in general and their Stoughton festival in particular. Another sizable Syytende Mai festival happens in Westby, which isn’t far from Norskedalen, a Norse cultural mecca located in southeastern La Crosse County. Other Scandinavian festivals are coming too, including Fyr Ball in Door County, which celebrates the summer solstice on the beach in Ephraim with a huge bonfire, mythical stories, and plenty of fun, food, and drink. Numerous other cities around Wisconsin note a heavy Norwegian heritage including Oconomowoc and Mount Horeb – which is known for its “Trollway,” a large part of Norse lore.

You can find out more about Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival here: https://www.stoughtonfestivals.com/

Discover Wisconsin Producer Jessica Vokoun also joins us in The Cabin with a Behind the Scenes look at the upcoming Wisconsin Festivals episode, which begins streaming on the DW app May 17th at 4pm and airs the weekend of May 20th-21st, when it will also be available on all streaming channels.

Inside Sponsors

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

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

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

County; https://bit.ly/3DPQbN0

The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we

remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for

mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based,

you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn

more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana welcome Josh Ostermann into The Cabin to talk pizza, a favorite topic among all of us –

especially Josh. Piggybacking our previous pizza-oriented piece – episode 92 – we dive into more “must

try” local pizza places around Wisconsin. All types of pizzas are represented, from cracker-thin tavern-

cut pizzas to the monumental deep dish that requires heavy lifting. Some of the differences in their

styles and prep get discussed along with locations to hit for many samples of Wisconsin’s best. Ana also

begins with some pizza history dating back to Italy and how it spread across our nation and state. You’ll

be hungry for a slice – or four – when you’re done listening!

We also went “behind the scenes” for a look at the new Discover Wisconsin Episode covering the lovely

and lively La Crosse area with producer Jessica Valkoun. This episode, hosted by Lindsey Hayes and Eric

Paulsen, covers all four seasons and plenty of activities – especially outdoors! Watch for its release on

the Discover Wisconsin app at 4pm on Wednesday, May 10 th and on your favorite channels, both over-

the-air and online, this weekend (May 13 th -14 th ).

Inside Sponsors

Jefferson County: https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau

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

County; https://bit.ly/3d5bKNM

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana welcome Jillian Talarczyk into The Cabin to discuss public art and some of Wisconsin’s most

notable sculptures. We discuss numerous outdoor sculpture parks and gardens. They include Lynden

Sculpture Garden, which features over 50 artistic monuments across 40 acres; Stevens Point Sculpture

Park, with a variety of sculptures and signs amidst walking trails in the woods; the lovely James Tellen

Woodland Sculpture Garden in Sheboygan; the sometimes controversial, yet beautifully perched

Spillover II sculpture overlooking Lake Michigan in Shorewood; and even the unique Badger sculpture of

the USS Wisconsin in Madison.

Some outdoor parks lean more towards the whimsical to downright mind-boggling, like Dr. Evermor's

Sculpture Park near Sauk City with its wild metal creations surrounding Forevertron, a towering central

feature; Jurustic Park outside Marshfield, with incredible creations in the lush yard of a private residence

where they will happily show you around; and Fred Smith's Concrete Park outside Phillips, which

consists of hardened sculptures made of concrete in a variety of forms, frequently incorporating pieces

of glass for color and accent.

We also discuss indoor museums like the Museum of Woodcarving in Shell Lake and a number of other

sculptures across Wisconsin, from salutes to Native American history to fiberglass creations from a

Sparta company that you can explore in their yard.

Jillian caps it off with an official announcement on the next public art mural in Madison that will be

unveiled on May 18th - listen for it!

After, we went “behind the scenes” for a look at the new Discover Wisconsin Episode covering Carlsville.

Ana, who produced the episode, describes the show and the adventures of Andrea Boehlke and her

sisters as they explore some hidden gems – along with some of the better-known ones – in this little

town in Door County.

Inside Sponsors

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

Wisconsin Counties Association: https://bit.ly/3ehxDHH

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

Tammy Simon, Tourism Director from the Menomonie Chamber, joins Eric and Ana in The Cabin as the

conversation covers many aspects of Menomonie and the surrounding areas of Dunn County. It begins

with the general “lay of the land,” including its handy location right between the Twin Cities and Eau

Claire at the northern edge of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. They take you through numerous national

landscape features including the Devil’s Punchbowl, Hoffman Hills, and the beauty of the Red Cedar

River and Lake Menomin along with how the Red Cedar State Trail and other access points allow you

fully enjoy them in outdoor endeavors. Downtown, which adjoins the University of Wisconsin-Stout,

includes the stunning Mabel Tainter Theater and Center for the Arts, murals, sculptures, shops, and

three breweries: Zymurgy, Lucette, and brewery nønic. For recreation, you can enjoy the river and lake

right in town along places like nearby Woodwind Park, where Tammy relays the story of the couple that

has been resurrecting this recreational playland northeast of the city. Throughout the area, disc golf is a

particularly fast-growing sport and Tammy also discusses several options for playing and learning about

it. Racing is also popular with Red Cedar Speedway offering exciting – and loud! – action throughout the

summer. Menomonie also has plenty of wonderful restaurants and serves as a center for production of

Swiss Miss cocoa as well as cheese, with a newer Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery opening recently

where you can watch production and enjoy Wisconsin’s favorite food. Eric and Ana weave in stories

from the Discover Wisconsin show that was filmed there in 2022.

Find out more about Menomonie and its many sights to see and enjoy here:

Instagram: @exploremenomonie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploremenomonie/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCUR4GEKZ6w

TikTok: @exploremenomonie

https://www.exploremenomie.com

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

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana dive into what Drink Wisconsinbly has called “one of Wisconsin’s most precious unnatural

resources”: dive bars. We welcome Jared Schutz of the Wisco_Dive_Bars Instagram account into The

Cabin, along with food and drink extraordinaire Josh Ostermann, to talk about dive bars: their general

definition, frequent characteristics, must-haves, and their unique nature. Wisconsin has more of these

than most states, and most have a quirky thing or two about them that makes them worth a visit. With

the experiences of this crew, we dive into selections across northwestern Wisconsin and describe what

makes them a good dive bar. Everything from historic taverns to VFW halls, along with some

establishments considered a central meeting place of the town, gets covered. So pour yourself a cheap

tap beer, grab some pretzels, a beef stick, or a pickled egg, and get ready for a discussion that will help

guide you to finding some of Wisconsin’s Best Dive Bars in northwestern Wisconsin. And yes, we will

cover other regions soon!

Jared checks out dive bars across the state and shares videos and their unique quirks on Instagram.

Check out his account: @wisco_dive_bars on IG!

Inside Sponsors

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

Discover Wisconsin and Cabin merch: https://shop.discoverwisconsin.com/

Re/Max: https://bit.ly/2R3vFoi

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

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

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

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

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

Campfire Conversation:

Eric and Ana welcome award-winning singer-songwriter Katie Scullin into The Cabin as we continue our

series on emerging Wisconsin musicians and bands. Katie has performed with several bands and has her

own eponymous band with touring experiences from Wisconsin to Texas. She released her first full-

length album, Pieces, in 2017 using a Kickstarter campaign. The local chart performance of her song

"Porch Hangs" helped land her on the cover of Maximum Ink Magazine. She proceeded to take home an

award for Best Pop/R&B Song at the Madison Area Music Awards. In 2019 she was voted Best of

Madison - Gold and Best Musician/Band by the Jefferson County Daily Readers Poll. She opened for, or

shared a bill with, Bret Michaels, Big Sean, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Uncle Kracker, Gwen Sebastian,

Charlie Berens, and Jay Leno. We discussed how family – particularly her siblings – influenced her to

pursue a music career and learn the arts of singing, playing a variety of instruments, and songwriting.

She played in a band called Rivalry (as in sibling rivalry) and performed at venues like Summerfest before

she broke out on her own. She described how her styles and music preferences developed over time

and what it’s been like to release new material as technology continues to emerge. In part due to

COVID, she also recently branched out into music production and engineering while also teaching guitar,

voice, and songwriting. We also discussed venues, collaborations with other artists from well-

established to up-and-coming, getting your music on Spotify, launching a Patreon, and a variety of ways

as a musician and artist you can hone your craft and develop your career while living and working in

Wisconsin. We also have her song “Bloom” featured in the podcast, too!

Inside Sponsors

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

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

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

County; https://bit.ly/2Z5ruwA