 The cover of Gary Beaumier's first book of poetry, "From My Family to Yours," is the familiar site of Cedar Creek in downtown Cedarburg, painted by local artist and architect, Tom Kubala. By Mary Boyle Gary Beaumier always liked words and language, and even majored in English in college; yet, while he worked as a teacher, bookseller, and even taught a poetry class in a women's prison, it wasn't until the past ten years that he really began to write his own poetry in earnest, most of which, the poet says, never saw the light of day. His first collection, From My Family To Yours, was published in 2019, followed in 2020 by an expanded collection entitled Dented Brown Fedora, which Beaumier will read from, and sign copies of, at the Grafton Public Library on Wednesday, December 8th at 6 p.m. Response to Beaumier's writing has been gratifying. A finalist and semi finalist for the Luminaire Award for several of his poems, Beaumier has also been a finalist for the Joy Bale Boone award and was nominated for Best of the Net Award for his poem "Rio Grande." He was awarded first place in Streetlight Magazine for his poem "Night Train to Paris," and his work has appeared in numerous other publications. The poetry is largely an exploration of relationships, particularly between Beaumier and his father, who is the owner of the hat for which both the book and poem is named. My father, "It's kind of a harvest of memory. With fathers and sons, it's a complicated relationship, in general," Beaumier mused. "I think men are more reticent; that's something I reflected on." Beaumier's words pull on the heartstrings; though the memories explored are his own, they resonate with anyone who is been in a relationship of any kind, which is to say, everyone. Melancholy, passionate, brooding, sentimental; in short, a perfect winter read and a lovely gift for those who are interested in poetry or local authors. "You know Sally Field at the Oscars? 'You like me, you really like me!' That's what keeps me writing," Beaumier shared. "Knowing that I've made an impression on or a connection with somebody else is very gratifying. It's a thrill every time." A member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, Beaumier is absolutely passionate about poetry and would love to find a group of local poets to convene with. He is often found walking around Oz, particularly anywhere near or on the lake, especially just before the sun comes up. Sailing on Lake Michigan and working on wooden boats has a poetry of its own for this writer. "Poetry," he says, "is songs without music." Join Gary Beaumier for a reading of Dented Brown Fedora at the USS Liberty Memorial Library on Wednesday, December 8th at 6 p.m. The event is free and no registration is required. Signed copies of his book will be available for purchase, or go to therawartreview.com/books-for-sale.
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  Getting the perfect, fresh-cut tree can be an amazing family holiday experience, and there are plenty of places in Oz that deliver. Here are the top picks for in or near Oz where you can cut your own or choose a pre-cut fresh tree!
Uselding's Christmas Trees Located on Western Rd. just outside of downtown Cedarburg, choose a pre-cut tree, wreaths and other trimming. Cedarburg Creek Farm Located at 649 Hwy 60 in Cedarburg, the Cedarburg Creek Farm has pre-cut trees, wreaths, decorated pots, petting zoo, hayrides and more. Sandhill Tree Farm Located at 2323 E River Rd. in Grafton, Sandhill Tree Farm will be open for cut your own trees December 5th & 6th from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Enjoy a bonfire, hot chocolate, candy canes, a holiday gift shop, fresh florals from Shady Lady and photo opportunities. Gene Fransee & Son Nursery & Landscaping/ Home of Kletzien Garden Center Located at 3670 Hwy. W in Port Washington has trees, wreaths, poinsettias, vintage Christmas collectibles and more. First Congregational Church Located on the corner of Jackson St. and Grand Ave., along the Sauk Creek, the First Congregational Church is now in their 35th year of selling pre-cut trees as a fundraiser for the church. Buechler Farms, LLC Located at 587 S. Royal Ave in Belgium, Buechler's offers trees, wreaths, planters and a special Christmas Shop with ongoing activities for the kids. Willoway Farm & Friends For their second year, Willoway Farm and friends are selling pre-cut balsams at N5412 Cigrand Dr. in Waubeka, as well as some other local goodies. Enjoy a campfire and hot chocolate, too. Anderson’s Greenview Tree Farm Located at W4266 County Rd. D in Random Lake, Anderson's has pre-cut trees as well as wreaths and a Christmas Gift Shop in the barn, or take a walk or hay ride out to the fields to cut your own. Trees For Less Located at 11550 Wausaukee Rd. in Mequon has cut your own and pre-cut trees. Stumpf's Tree Farm Located at 340 Horns Corners Road in Cedarburg, Stumpf's is already sold out for this season, but a consideration for 2021.   *Edited from 2017 By Mary Boyle The conventional method of holiday shopping is so ingrained in us, it's easy to overlook the many treasures we have right in our own community. Supporting local businesses and organizations is the gift that keeps on giving; the money you spend at these places not only stays in our community, but oftentimes helps to support important organizations that make Ozaukee and the greater Ozaukee area so wonderful. Read on, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list! For the Kids (and Kids at Heart) Hands down, my favorite place to buy toys in Ozaukee County is the Cedarburg Toy Co. Owners, Zach and Natasha Loos, will not only assist you in finding the right gift, they'll wrap it for you. They are also experts at covert operations, if you happen to actually have your children with you and need to shop. Wink, nudge, or pass them a note, and they'll have all the presents wrapped and ready for later pick up, or whatever other crazy antics you can think of. CTC truly has gifts for all ages, from blocks and rattles to puzzles and books, and things you didn't even know existed! Don't miss this magical little store in the heart of downtown Cedarburg.  For the Foodies Oz is home to some really great restaurants, and a special dinner out could be a lovely gift. Try Fork & Tap, The Steerage, Plier's Full Circle Pub & Restaurant, or Twisted Willow in Port; Cedarburg has Brandywine, The Stilt House, The Anvil Pub or The Farmstead. Messina's in Saukville is a good bet, or try No No's in Newburg. A CSA Subscription is another great idea!  For the Nature Lovers Oz is home to two amazing nature preserves: Riveredge in Newburg in the north and Mequon Nature Preserve in the south. Memberships to both offer access to trails and programming, but also help support environmental restoration and education in Oz. Besides memberships, Riveredge has a Visitor's Center full of great gifts for the Outdoorsy person in your life, including the syrup they make onsite each spring.  For the Art Lovers The art community is strong in Oz, and there are a variety of places where original artwork of all kinds can be purchased. In Cedarburg, try the Cedarburg Art Museum, Cedarburg Cultural Center, or the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts gift shops, but memberships to these organizations also make great gifts. In downtown Cedarburg, you can find local art in many of the gift shops, including Bohemia, the Pink Llama Gallery, and within the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement. In Grafton, look no further than the NSAA Arts Mill, where a wide variety of treasures await.  For the Coffee Lovers If there is one thing the Land of Oz has aplenty, it's good coffee shops. Gift Certificates are great, of course, but most also offer t-shirts, mugs, and other fun items to show your coffee shop pride. In Port, there's Java Dock Cafe (and keep an eye out for Banjo's Brews Coffee which will be opening inside of Lakeside Music & Naturals soon!); in Grafton, we have AM Coffee, NSeven, and Colectivo (also in Mequon); in Cedarburg, there's the Cedarburg Coffee Roastery and Java House. You can find a Fiddleheads in Cedarburg, Grafton, Thiensville, and Mequon. There is no lack of caffeine in Oz, people.  For the Pet Lovers (and pets!!) Oz is home to a bounty of wonderful, independent and local places to shop for the pet or pet lover in your life! In Port Washington, check out One Wag on the corner of Franklin and Jackson St. downtown, which specializes in natural food and nutritional support for your pets. In Saukville, there's Dawgs In Motion, which has day camp, training classes, a pool, a shop, grooming and more, or Pet Supply Port, which has been in Oz for over 25 years. In Mequon, try the Feed Bag, which also offers a pool and grooming, as well as a selection for pets beyond dogs and cats. In Cedarburg, try Landmark Supply, which has been serving the critters of Oz for over 150 years!  For the Beer & Wine Lovers Oz is home to a number of breweries, and there are a few winery options, as well. In Cedarburg, of course, there is the award-winning Cedar Creek Winery and Chiselled Grape Winery, but Cedarburg has two breweries, as well: Rebellion Brewing and The Fermentorium. In Port Washington, try Inventors Brewpub or Vines to Cellar. In Grafton, Sahale Ale Works is a recent arrival, while Foxtown Brewing in Mequon is also fairly new.  Humorous ornaments from Locally Inspired in Port Washington. For those who love to wander through Gift Shops and be inspired... Sometimes, you just want to wander around and see what might jump out at you, or have someone in the know who has the time to help you find the perfect gift. If that's you, you could just start at one end of downtown Cedarburg and finish at the other, but Cedarburg isn't your only game! In Port Washington, try Pear & Simple, Eclectic Avenue, Lakeside Music & Naturals (which has all types of goodies for the musicians in your life, too), The Shoppes of Port Washington, and Locally Inspired.  Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg have been serving the community since 1884. For the Jewelry Lover Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg has been around since 1884, so you really can't go wrong, there; however, if you're lakeside, check out Sharbuno Jewelers in Port Washington, another family business that has been serving Oz since 1950. Mequon's East Towne Jewelers boasts over 30 years of business, which is certainly an accomplishment, as well. Cedarburg has several more unique and boutique shops that may also serve you well, such as Pagoda Fine Jewelry, Wyndrose Fine Jewelry or Jewelry Works.  A selection of fat tire bikes, perfect for winter in Wisconsin, at Extreme Ski & Bike in Cedarburg. For the Outdoor Sports Enthusiast Snowboarding, skiing, cycling, kayaking, skateboarding and more! Check out ZuZu Pedals or Sherper's in Port Washington, Cedar Creek Outdoors or Phase II Skate Shop in Cedarburg, Extreme Ski & Bike in Thiensville, or ERIK'S in Grafton. Surfing on Lake Michigan? You bet! Try the Board Shack in Port.  A delicious milk chocolate Santa from The Chocolate Chisel in Port Washington. Candy for St. Nick's & Gifts On the lookout for candy, the perfect chocolate Santa, or maybe just something to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth? Oz has you covered! In Port Washington, you must visit The Chocolate Chisel for some of the best hot chocolate and ice cream in Oz, as well as amazing chocolates. In Grafton, Sweettrio is the place to go for candy, chocolates or caramel apples. In Cedarburg, you have your choice of Amy's Candy Kitchen, which is known for their caramel apples, or Ashley's Confectionery, which is a great place to find vintage candy and M&M's by the color, as well as chocolates. In Mequon, you must visit the Cocoa Tree Confectionery (and, if you have a great sense of humor and aren't easily offended, follow them on Facebook for some weekly laughs;)! The important thing to remember about gift giving, especially this time of year, is not to buy stuff just to buy stuff. Slow down, really be present with people, and when you do want to give something, consider giving a gift that gives back to our community. Happy Holidays, everyone.  By Mary Boyle Last year, many of our holiday traditions were undone by the pandemic, which makes the return of them this season all the more sweet. From beloved holiday theatre opportunities to tree lightings and parades, we've got the line up in Oz and beyond! Holiday Events Friday, November 26 Festive Friday in Cedarburg Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton, through November 28 An Enchanted Christmas at the Cedarburg Art Museum Saturday, November 27 Shop Hop Event in Port Washington 41st Annual Grafton Christmas Parade Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg Tree Lighting in Fredonia Monday, November 29 Tree Lighting in Cedarburg Wednesday, December 1 Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton, through December 5 Thursday, December 2 Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg, through December 4th Friday, December 3 Festive Friday in Cedarburg An Enchanted Christmas at the Cedarburg Art Museum Holiday Art Fair in Cedarburg, through December 5 Tree Lighting in Thiensville Saturday, December 4 Christmas at the Legion in Saukville, through December 5 CJWC's Breakfast with Santa in Cedarburg Christmas Cookie Walk at St. John's Lutheran in Port Washington The Polar Express in Port Washington Christkindlmarkt in Port Washington Christmas on the Corner in Port Washington Sunday, December 5 European Christmas Parade, Festival and Chili CookOff in Belgium Tree Lighting in Saukville Wednesday, December 8 Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton, through December 12 Thursday, December 9 Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg, through December 11 Friday, December 10 An English Manor Christmas Tour with the CCC, through December 11 Holiday Bough Trimming - Make a Holiday Wreath at Riveredge Festive Friday in Cedarburg An Enchanted Christmas at the Cedarburg Art Museum A Night of Holiday Music to benefit Advocates of Ozaukee Saturday, December 11 Santa's Dash Away 5K Fun Run/Walk in Cedarburg Kid's Ornament Workshop at Buechler Farms in Belgium Winter Market at the Foxtown Annex in Mequon Piano Brew All Request Holiday Show at the CCC Holiday Theatre November 20-December 26 A Charlie Brown Christmas with First Stage November 30-December 24 A Christmas Carol with The Rep December 3-5 Elf the Musical with Sheboygan Theatre Company December 3-5 A Christmas Carol with West Bend Theatre Company December 10-12 A Christmas Carol with West Bend Theatre Company December 10-26 The Nutcracker with The Milwaukee Ballet  Overview This competition is for the Wisconsin artist who has a true passion for the Ozaukee County Fair. Artists are asked to submit a color design celebrating the Ozaukee County Fair. Be a part of this fun competition and submit your most creative idea that showcases the fun side of the Ozaukee County Fair. Artists have the chance to win a grand prize if their piece is selected. All entrants will receive a complimentary daily parking pass for each entry, to the 2022 Ozaukee County Fair, August 3-7. Eligibility The Poster Art Competition is open to Wisconsin residents only, age 18 & older. Style Artwork should reflect a celebration of the Ozaukee County Fair, with a dominant fair element as the focal point (i.e. animals, rides, music, competitive exhibits, food, etc.). A specific medium or artistic style is not required however, we are not looking for a collage. Submissions are encouraged to be a celebration of the Ozaukee County Fair and should be created as an advertisement. All posters submitted to the state contest will become the property of the Ozaukee County Fair, and may be used for promotional purposes. Submission Requirements All submissions must include the following: 1. A completed entry form 2. Resume (maximum of two pages) 3. Color design depicting fun at the Ozaukee County Fair 4. Brief description of submitted sketch and intended medium 5. 3-4 color copies of previous work 6. Do not use objects raised from the surface. 7. Do not use well-known or copyright characters 8. All digitally created files must also be submitted via .eps, .ai, or .psd and .pdf format. 9. All materials must be submitted in hard copy form on an 11x17 sheet of paper with artist’s name on the back of each sheet. Submission materials will not be returned. Artwork must be two-dimensional and use traditional media in the final piece. Concepts may be rendered using computer software but the final piece must use traditional media. The final size of the grand prize artwork must be able to transfer to an 11 x 17-inch horizontal or vertical poster. The submission must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. See Submitting Entries below for mailing and drop-off addresses. Selection Criteria Judges will be looking for the following in each of the submissions: • Artwork should be fun and a celebration of the Ozaukee County Fair with a dominant Fair element (not a collage) • Passion for the Ozaukee County Fair • Appeal to a broad audience • Must include “Ozaukee County Fair” and year (2022) in artwork; Fair dates are optional (August 3-7) Failure to adhere to these standards will result in disqualification. Selection Process There will be three parts to the selection process: 1. A panel of judges will review all submissions and select their top three submissions. 2. The artists of the top three submissions will be invited to the Ozaukee County Fair to further explain their concept. Then, each finalist will create a more detailed draft of his/her concept. Each of the finalists will be given a $____ stipend and six (6) complimentary Grand Stand admission tickets upon the timely completion of the second draft, as outlined by an artist’s agreement. 3. The panel of judges will review the finalists’ concepts and will select the artwork. 4. After the Grand Champion Artist has been selected, the artist will meet with the judges to discuss why their piece was chosen and the next steps. 5. The top artist will receive a grand prize of $100 after final artwork is delivered to the Ozaukee County Fair Terms and Conditions for Grand Champion Artist A complete agreement will be presented at the time of artist selection. The artist will retain the copyright, but full ownership of the finished selection will be transferred to the Ozaukee County Fair. The Ozaukee County Fair will also have the right to reproduce the original artwork for use in advertising and promotion of the Ozaukee County Fair. The artist of the final selection agrees to publicity to promote their artwork upon request. In addition to the Grand Prize of_____ for being the Grand Champion Artist, the artist will receive 25 posters The Ozaukee County Agricultural Society, sponsors of the Ozaukee County Fair established in 1859, is a 501c3 non-profit corporation. Schedule of Events Competition opens: October 31, 2021 Entry deadline: November 30, 2021 Judges review artwork & selections made: December 7, 2021 Grand Prize Winner informed: December 8, 2021 Grand Prize Winner signing of releases: December 10, 2021 Submitting Entries Materials must be postmarked by November 30, 2021 to: Ozaukee County Fair Poster Art Competition P.O. Box 173 Cedarburg, WI 53012 Questions? Any questions about the competition should be directed to Jamie Nevins @ advertising@ozaukeecountyfair.com  Matt Daniels in Forward Theater Company's production of THE AMATEURS, through November 21st in the Playhouse at the Overture Center in Madison, WI. Photo by Ross Zentner. By Mary Boyle In their 2019-2020 season, Forward Theater Company of Madison was just one week away from the opening night of their final production of the year when Jen Uphoff Gray, Forward's Artistic Director, led the Company through not only the difficult decision to cancel all of the performances for the run of the last show, but also the brave decision to have faith in their theatre community and support the professional theatre artists who had committed to the show by fully honoring their contracts, as well as keeping their staff at full employment and benefits throughout the shut down. Her faith and determination payed off. After a successful virtual 2020-2021 run, Forward has made the return to live, in-person theatre for their lucky 13th season, while continuing to offer a virtual option in order to include everyone. Not only that, for their second production, they have brought back the play the pandemic took away: THE AMATEURS. The universe has a peculiar way of trashing our best laid plans, only to prove that it is, in fact, the true master of good timing; such is the case with this play. Written by Jordan Harrison and directed by Jen Uphoff Gray, The Amateurs follows a troop of rag tag players in 14th Century Europe, during the time of the black death, who "bring stories of the scripture to the people." In the hope of impressing their patron, the Duke, the players are developing a new play about Noah's Ark, but they are hit with misfortune after misfortune as they journey to Court while trying to outrun the plague and their own secrets. Along the way, the players contemplate and reckon with individuality, their value as actors, sin, God, love, fear and death, and though that may not sound like the basis of a good comedy, the play is laugh-out-loud funny, as well as being remarkably relatable, thought-provoking, poignant and timely. Four of the cast members returned from the original production: Matt Daniels is Larking, the pompous and overbearing director; Josh Krause plays Gregory, a simple man who makes props and scenery, but is rarely given lines; Emily Glick plays Rona, Larking's love interest and a player with a secret she soon won't be able to hide; and Kat Wodtke is Hollis, who loses her older brother and fellow player to the plague in the opening scene. New to this version of the production are James Carrington as Bromo, who secretly misses Henry as much as Hollis, and Ty Fanning as the Physic, who joins the players to replace Henry, but also to escape secrets of his own. Forward Theater has demonstrated a knack for choosing bold new and culturally relevant productions, and The Amateurs is just that. The set design, props and costumes are simple yet incredibly well-designed, and are just enough to take you into the medieval world without being overdone (Scenic Design by Nathan Stuber, Props by Pam Miles and Costume design by Monica Kilkus). The entire cast is incredibly strong and talented, featuring several of Milwaukee's finest. Matt Daniels and Kat Wodtke have long been two of my favorite Wisconsin-based actors, but Josh Krause, who is relatively new to the scene, has continually blown me away with every performance I see him in, and this one is no exception (both Daniels and Krause were brilliant together in Jeeves at Sea at MCT). James Carrington is always fun to watch, and though it's been a bit since I've seen Ty Fanning on the stage, since I don't get to APT as much as I'd like to, I was truly impressed by both his Emily Glick's performance. One of the very interesting aspects of the play is that the playwright, Harrison, wrote himself into the story. Played by Josh Krause (who also plays Gregory in the players), the main story takes a pause and jumps into the present as the playwright comes on stage and removes the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly. He proceeds to tell a series of stories about growing up during the AIDS epidemic of the 80's and early 90's, already aware that he, himself, was gay. Those experiences clearly inform the play, though he admits they weren't the main inspiration for the story, at all; it was coming across an actual medieval play of Noah's Ark in which the wife of Noah, who does not have a name, does not obediently get on the boat, as she does in the bible. The deviation from the story prompted the playwright to wonder at the cause, and that wonder brought forth a play. The parallels between the Black Death, the AIDS epidemic and our current pandemic are unmistakable and fascinating, and yet the play was written before the current pandemic, which makes it even more remarkable. Our human collective is suffering, but we are awakening to the idea that the collective is only as strong and healthy as the individual and that, as individuals, we are not simply actors on the stage condemned to our lines; we can improvise. We have agency. The plague, the AIDS epidemic, our pandemic: they have all taken people away, but we who are left behind are charged with "naming the nameless" and to "remember...the things it extinguished and the things it inspired." Yet, as Hollis notes, people have always thought the world is going to end, but "the persistence of the normal is strong. Confronted with a crisis, I guess it's sad, we forget easily." "But maybe that's how we're able to move forward," the playwright suggests. The Amateurs may be the most important production of the season, and I am thrilled that Forward has made it so accessible to everyone. Although I love and miss the experience of live theatre and the connection that takes place between the audience and the actors, the virtual experience of The Amateurs was nearly as good as the real thing (when you factor in that I watched it on my laptop while I was warm and comfortable in my own bed, I think it actually evens out). The purchase of a ticket gets you a link to the performance that can be viewed online any time through the run of the show, without the need to make the trip to Madison (though I certainly believe it is worth the trip, should you choose to make it). THE AMATEURS runs through November 21st at The Playhouse at Overture Center, located at 201 State Street in Madison. Tickets for both in-person and virtual performances may be purchased online at https://forwardtheater.com/show/the-amateurs. There are two Live Lectures happening at the Overture Center which are free to the public and proceed a performance: Traditions of Medieval TheaterSaturday, 11/13 at 6:30pm Presented by Martin Foys - Martin Foys is a professor in Medieval Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Macabre and the Performance of DeathSaturday, 11/20 at 6:30pm Presented by Thomas Dale - Thomas Dale is the UW Director of Medieval Studies and Professor of Art History, and will give a lecture on the macabre and the performance of death in late medieval art and visual culture.  Fresh produce from Winterspring Farm in Newburg at the Port Washington Winter Market, which returns in person at Inventors Brewpub on Saturday, November 6th, 2021.  By Mary Boyle Once upon a time, most of the fresh food available for purchase at the grocery store or market was produced locally; the systems simply did not exist to transport fresh food economically, so fresh produce was mainly limited to what could be grown nearby. In Wisconsin, with our long, cold winters, this meant that farmers had to know how to extend the growing season, as well as how to store produce properly so that it could be utilized until spring finally arrived. What couldn’t survive fresh was preserved in a variety of ways, either by individuals, the farmers or, as time went on, companies that specialized in canning food. This was why, when my mother was a child in the 1950’s, getting an orange in the toe of your stocking on St. Nick’s at the beginning of a Wisconsin winter was a treasured treat. Were we able to beam ourselves back fifty years to a local grocery store, most of us would be shocked at how little choices were available for fresh produce, especially in the dead of winter. The availability of cheap oil gradually changed our local food systems into a global one. More vehicles needed good roads, which went on to replace the trains that were once the only way for food to travel long distances (and only food that could survive the trip). Eventually, even airplanes became an economical option and, with speed like that, we can now find fresh raspberries and tomatoes grown in Mexico or South America in vast produce aisles in the middle of February in Wisconsin. The convenience and availability are so commonplace, we are no longer aware of what a luxury it is…or what the real costs are, not just in the quality of the food, which is often picked long before ripeness, so it travels well (or is even bred to be sturdier for travel), nor in the environmental cost caused by more vehicles on the roads and planes in the air burning more fossil fuels, but also in the gradual loss of local food systems. The need for redeveloping a year-round market for local food has become more obvious as we witness the disruption in the supply chain caused by the pandemic: the farther our food and other products must travel, the more likely it is that the supply will be disrupted; a community that solely relies on food produced outside its borders will not fare well should those outside systems be disturbed, be it from a pandemic, natural disaster or some other event we haven’t happened upon, yet. Furthermore, we have already seen how the price of oil affects the cost of goods that must travel long distances to reach us; this isn’t really an issue when the product isn’t something we actually require, such as the latest smart phone or a particular brand of shoes, but it is not impossible to imagine a time when food that must be transported could become too costly for a part of the population. Ozaukee and the surrounding area is blessed to have a number of long-running and popular outdoor Farmers Markets between June and October, offering the opportunity to purchase food and other goods straight from the producer, which benefits the consumer because they’re able to know exactly where and how the food is produced, and benefits the producer because it allows them to get more profit for their goods than they can by selling it wholesale to grocery stores, restaurants or other wholesale buyers outside of the community the food is grown in. The end of October has, in the past, meant the end of the local food season; but now, as demand for local food grows, indoor Farmers Market opportunities have also grown which, in turn, encourages producers to use methods to extend their season and goods, such as using cold frames and hoop houses, or preserving their harvest by freezing, canning, or dehydrating. For several years, PortFish, Ltd., a local aquaponics outfit in Port Washington, ran the indoor Port Washington Winter Market out of the local Congregational Church, which was then taken over by Jennifer Sapiro and went on to be sponsored by Port Washington Main Street in 2018. During the 2017/18 season, they began to alternate the market between the American Legion/Inventors Brewpub and the church and quickly learned that the new venue was a huge hit; the Winter Market has been happening there ever since, though it has been outdoors when possible, or order online and purchase pickup when it wasn’t, over the pandemic. Finally, the Winter Market will return in person on Saturday, November 6th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continue for two Saturdays every month through March. The Winter Market is no longer the only local food game in Port, however; the DreamPort Harvest Market, a new venture by Dream Apple Farm (read the story here), will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. through December 18th, then they plan to open as a retail store in April, giving even more opportunities to purchase local food throughout the entire season. There are also several options for buying direct from the farmer on the farm in Ozaukee County. In Cedarburg, Witte’s Vegetable Farm Store will remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until the Saturday before Thanksgiving, while Appleland Farm Market in Fredonia will be open daily through November and Friday through Sunday for the first two weekends of December. Barthel’s Fruit Farm in Mequon will be open daily from 9-5 through Thanksgiving, with their bakery open Friday through Sunday and November 24th (you can order your pies for Thanksgiving directly from them!). Another local food option that became available thanks to the pandemic is the Ozaukee Area REKO Ring. Founded by Venessa Quiñones in April of 2020, the REKO Ring allows local food producers to put their offerings into Facebook posts on the group's site where members can then place their orders. Pick ups are on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. in Grafton in the former Shopko parking lot and the final pick up for the year is December 16th. Now is also a great time to consider buying a CSA share (or, consider giving one as a gift for Christmas!). CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, which is when a person buys a share of the harvest before it is grown or produced so that the farmer has the funds upfront to begin planting, as well as a guaranteed customer. Appleland Farm Market and Willoway Farm (which also offers a fresh flower CSA) in Fredonia, Winterspring Farm (formerly Wellspring) in Newburg and Rare Earth Farm in Belgium are all excellent places to support. Convenience and availability are hard to ignore, of course, so we are extremely lucky to have two dedicated, year-round grocery stores that are committed to local food in Oz, which is the next best thing to buying direct from the farmer: the cooperative Outpost Natural Foods in Mequon and Slow Pokes Local Foods in Grafton. Kathleen McGlone, who opened Slow Pokes in 2006, has been dedicated to not only supporting local food systems, but to helping people with food intolerances, particularly gluten sensitivities. After 15 years in business, Kathleen is looking for the right person to take over her venture; if you’re interested in being Ozaukee’s next local food champion, get in touch with Kathleen. Ozaukee Living Local was born out of the local food movement in Ozaukee County to promote local growers and to connect the community with them; we continue to take this part of our mission very seriously. Did we miss someone? Let us know! Most importantly, please commit to buying as much local food as possible, as well as buying other products that are locally made. The money you spend on local food and goods stays local and contributes to the building and strengthening of our local economy – a process called relocalization – which makes our community more resilient, more connected, and less susceptible to the highs and lows of the global market. This is a mission we can all get behind.   By Sara Dahmen Fall is by far and large one of the most anticipated seasons in my household. From September through November, pumpkins dominate most surfaces (to the point of annoyance) and I use all my willpower to convince Mother Nature to stay in the autumn part of the yearly wheel for another day—just one more week of colorful leaves, crispness, and cozy walks. While Mother Nature continues to give us these lovely Fall days, one of the most delightful ways to celebrate is to eat heartier meals and soups, as well as harvest and use the natural world around us in the form of herbal remedies (most of which will be stored for winter usage). As this is the season of Halloween, I suppose I should expose myself straight away as a practicing greenwitch who spends far too much time reading books about plants. So, first let’s nourish our bodies with food! SWEET PEPPER CHILI This is a hearty meal that makes enough for 2 people to have a bowl every night for at least 3 nights. You can make it heartier still by adding in baked, chopped chicken breasts or small diced pieces of baked beef (brisket or roast would be best). 4 yellow onions – chopped 2 yellow peppers – coarsely chopped 2 red peppers – coarsely chopped 3-4 heads of garlic – minced (*garlic is an herb of Samhain – be sure to plant some cloves in your garden now for a spring crop!) 3 Tbsp ground cumin 3 Tbsp ground chili powder 2 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper ½ tsp cayenne powder ½ tsp red pepper flakes 2 cans whole peeled plum tomatoes (or any canned tomatoes you have on hand) Put onions and ½ cup of water in a large pot. Heat until the onions are transparent – add water as needed so they don’t burn to the bottom of the pot. Once cooked, add in the garlic, red and yellow peppers, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Cook together on medium heat until the peppers are semi-soft. Add in the whole peeled plum tomatoes – I actually squeeze each one over the pot before adding it. Pour in any remaining juice from the cans. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. (Add in the meat at this point and heat through.) Serve very warm. You can garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and corn chips! CHOKECHERRY TEA & TINCTURE My children, husband and I spend the spring planting certain bushes in the hope of a Fall harvest, or scoping out what parts of our summer bike rides have useful plants for a later trip back to grab berries or leaves. I’ll pause a bike ride to yank chamomile out of the side of the road for a later transplant (with excellent results) or to harvest jewelweed from a ditch for the garden (with abysmal results) to help with summer bug bites and nettle. For this tea, we planted four chokecherry bushes on the property. They are a native species, so that gets extra points. I discovered chokecherries on one of my trips to South Dakota and, every time I go back, I stock up because it’s easy to find out there, but now I’ll be harvesting my own! I’ve also learned that chokecherries became a huge staple in Poland, and they are now the major exporter of them (which makes things come full circle, as I am very Polish). Chokecherry is a bush the Native Americans use for a bit of everything: the bark to stop diarrhea; the berries to treat canker sores; the leaves to ease rheumatism or to heal the common cold. The last reason is why I spent the past two years especially looking for chokecherries. In this time of Covid-19, having an herb that can stop a cold and keep the immune system healthy sounds pretty darn important. If you forage them, or simply go buy dried chokecherry leaves, you can make your own home medicines a few ways: Berry Tincture (for canker sores or overall health) You need to boil the fruit off the seeds, as the seeds contain a cyanide compound. They say that if you let the berries dry on the vine, the drying in the sun gets rid of the cyanide and allows for digestion of the full berry (the seeds are full of oil and protein) the way the Native Americans used to eat them, but we probably don’t want to take chances; so, boil the berries (dried or fresh) with water (2:1 ratio – 2 parts water to 1 part berries) until the fruit pulp falls from the seeds. Strain out the seeds and discard, preserving the juice. Combine the juice and any pulp/skins with brandy or vodka with a 1:1 ratio into a mason jar with a lid and let it sit for at least 1 month or longer. Strain again, preserving the liquid, and use ½ - 1 tsp daily (it’s great in other teas!) for overall immunity or for arthritis pain. A great source for the berries: https://organicwayllc.com/products/chokeberries-fruit Chokecherry Tea (for respiratory illness and cold relief) Find and dry leaves while still green by hanging them upside down to dry over the course of several weeks or months, depending on the humidity in the air. Once dried, smash them in a mortar and store in an airtight container. You’d use this as regular loose leaf tea for arthritis or as needed for the common cold. If you want to simply purchase the tea, I buy it from here when I run out: https://huckleberryhaven.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=765  About the Author
Sara Dahmen is a coppersmith, award-winning author and novelist, and entrepreneur. Her expertise is of vintage and modern cookware; she manufactures pure metal kitchenware in her Port Washington, Wisconsin garage for her company, House Copper & Cookware. All of her current designs are based on American traditions and wares and are sourced in the USA. When unable to recreate traditional elements, she uses only small family owned and operated makers or Armed Forces veterans to help with the production of her cookware pieces. Her work also includes refurbishing and restoring old and damaged copper using vintage tools. Learn more about Sara at: https://www.saradahmen.com/  By Mary Boyle Candy and Halloween go together like popcorn and salt, but it wasn't always that way. In the 1970's, parents seemed to suddenly come to the conclusion that factory packaged and sealed candy was the safest treat to hand out, instead of the homemade goodies that had been the norm since Trick-or-Treating became a tradition in the United States in the 1930's and 40's. Over time, candy has been linked strongly to other holiday traditions, such as in stockings on St. Nick's, Advent Calendars, and Easter baskets. Each of those holidays has candy that we associate with it; for instance, candy corn belongs to Halloween, while jelly beans and Peeps belong to Easter. Then, in a brilliant stroke of marketing genius, those candy makers created red, white and green candy corn and jelly beans, as well as snowmen-shaped Peeps! Honestly, is nothing sacred? Halloween is now considered the kick-off to the holiday season, but we could just as easily call it the candy season. Over the years, I have discovered that candy is a topic that people often feel quite strongly about. Being in the position I am in, as a writer, I feel compelled to share my own feelings about candy as a sort of social experiment to see if my views fall in line with local cultural standards. Now, keep in mind that I do not consider chocolates like candy bars or peanut butter cups candy, unless they are in the form of something like an M&M. So, without further ado, I shall reveal my list of the Top Ten Worst Candy Ever Invented, beginning with number 10, which is bad, and counting down to number 1, which is, in my humble opinion, absolutely vile.  10. Milk Duds Normally I like the combination of chocolate and caramel, but these tough little balls of chocolate coated caramel never fail to get stuck in teeth, not to mention that chewing them takes way too much effort. Just thinking about getting through even a little Halloween box of them makes me tired. That being said, if it was the only treat in the house, I would eat them if I was feeling desperate enough, which is why they come in at number 10.  9. Candy Raisins I cannot, for the life of me, understand where they get the raisin in a candy raisin—they're more like a combination of beeswax and rubber. Their ability to stick to teeth is more potent than even the Milk Duds, but they don't even have a great flavor to make it worth the trouble. I wouldn't bother.  8. Candy Buttons Not only are these nothing but blobs of colored sugar on some paper, the paper always gets stuck on the buttons when you tear them off, and then you're eating paper and colored sugar. How could this possibly have stuck around this long?  7. Candy Necklaces If the little candies on these necklaces don't break your teeth while you're trying to bite them off, it's a miracle. When you do manage to bite one off, they don't even taste good! You can't possibly eat it all in one go, so you've got saliva all over the other ones which then creates a sugar/saliva mix that gets on your clothing, not to mention what ends up sticking to the necklace, itself. Absolutely revolting.  6. Smarties Lollipops Okay, Smarties are bad enough—I always felt like I was eating Children's Tylenol—but these lollipops are like eating a chunk of mildly sweetened chalk, people. When I was a child, you could buy one of these for a nickel at the Cedarburg Pool concession stand or you could buy a Now & Later, which is like a stale, hardened Starburst, but I would never, ever spend my nickel on this trash. Never.  5. Necco Wafers Right, so you already know how I feel about Smarties, and Necco Wafers are pretty much just giant, flatter Smarties in the same way that bologna is just a giant hot dog that has been sliced thinly. The texture is just all wrong, here, almost as if the chalk of the Smarties has been combined with cardboard. This is not something that should be consumed.  4. Tootsie Rolls Tootsie Rolls are the ultimate parade candy—do you know why? For one thing, they're insanely cheap, but also because nobody minds that they are likely going to be thrown out after rolling around in the dirt and puddles because most people wouldn't eat them even if they hadn't been on the ground. I mean, are they chocolate? Root beer flavored? I really am not sure, but I do know one thing: they are not worth the calories.  3. Candy Corn Does anyone really eat candy corn? I don't think so. I think we just use it as a Halloween decoration on cupcakes, cakes and crafts that aren't meant to even be edible, just as candy corn isn't meant to be edible. Sure, the pumpkin shaped ones look cute on a dirt cake with Milano cookie gravestones, but nobody actually eats them, do they?  2. Wax Bottles I'll never forget when my Dad brought these home to us kids—I couldn't even stand to bite all the way through the wax! I had to tear it the rest of the way off to get the few drops of colored liquid inside, which still managed to be flavored of wax. Why not just eat a candle with a few drops of sugar syrup? These things are seriously revolting.  1. Circus Peanuts One of my earliest memories is going to the Red Owl in Cedarburg with my mother and spying a bag of Circus Peanuts. I had to have them. I begged. I pleaded. My mother said, "You're not going to like them!" "HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT I LIKE?!!" I wailed. I won...sort of. You see, I'll never forget the smug look on her face when she opened the bag at home and gave me a Circus Peanut. I'll never forget what it felt like to put it into my mouth and begin to take a bite. I never finished biting through the Circus Peanut, people; I just took it out of my mouth and handed it back to my mother in absolute defeat and disgust. I was probably 4 or 5 years old and I have never had a Circus Peanut again. I assure you, I never will.  There is no doubt that the Milwaukee River is important to Ozaukee County. Named for the big City of Milwaukee, the 104 mile long Milwaukee River begins in Fond du Lac County and runs south until it meets first the Menomonee River and then the Kinnickinnic River, just before it empties into Lake Michigan underneath the Hoan Bridge. Besides Port Washington and Belgium, every community in Ozaukee County has been shaped by the Milwaukee River, as even Cedar Creek in Cedarburg is a tributary, but perhaps none are as important as the Village of Saukville. Long before Wisconsin became a Sate, there were two major trails used by Native American tribes which became known as the Old Decorah Road and the Old Green Bay Road (The fascinating history of where the name Decorah comes from can be found in this document). The Old Decorah Road runs east to west and, today, is known as Highway 33, while the Old Green Bay Road ran north to south between Green Bay and Chicago. These two ancient trails intersected near a unique bend in the Milwaukee River, known today as Peninsula Park in Saukville, and this intersection was known as "the crossroads." It was a place where both Native Americans and Wisconsin's earliest European settlers gathered, particularly during the Fur Trade Era, when the network of lakes and rivers were the highways of the day. Between 1991 and 2006, the Saukville Historical Society celebrated the history of this important place at an event called the Crossroads Rendezvous. In 2018, with fresh organizers and historical reenactors, Mary Boyle and Sara Dahmen, at the helm, the event made a triumphant return to Peninsula Park after over a decade, and then again in 2019, with a strong focus on the Fur Trade Era in Wisconsin and the importance of the Crossroads to Saukville, Ozaukee County, and the State of Wisconsin. The organizers also worked in a collaboration with Riveredge Nature Center, whose Community Rivers Program has been working hard to bring the community together to help improve the health and quality of the Milwaukee River. "The Community Rivers Program is the link between what we're doing to teach people about the past and to connect it directly to the present," said Mary Boyle, Crossroads Co-Organizer. "Our School Day, which is always the Friday of our event, is one of the only ones I've ever attended that had non-reenactors participating in this way, but we thought it was a perfect fit and a great opportunity to collaborate with other local non-profits, which is really important to us." Unfortunately, the pandemic put a stop to the return of the Crossroads Rendezvous in both 2020 and 2021, as it did to so many other events, but the organizers did not want it to be gone for so long that people thought it was forgotten so, in lieu of the large event, a smaller one was created that would help bring awareness to what the Saukville Historical Society and Riveredge Nature Center brings to the community, as well as what the Crossroads Rendezvous and the Community Rivers Program is all about, called River History Day. Coming up on Saturday, October 16th from 10-3 at the Crossroads Museum (the home of the Saukville Historical Society), River History Day will offer a small taste of what these organizations have to offer, including:
Participants will also have a chance to submit ideas for a future mural to be painted on the newer addition to the Crossroads Museum which will showcase a timeline of Saukville's history. Organizers hope that, besides being a fun and family-friendly event, members of the community will be inspired to get involved. "The members [of the Saukville Historical Society] have been at this a long time, and we need new people to keep it going," said SHS President Anne Kertscher. "So many people don't even realize we're here and what we bring to the community, but hopefully this will be a great way to introduce ourselves. Consider this your invitation!" The Crossroads Museum is located at 200 N. Mill St. in Saukville. There is ample street parking, as well as public parking at nearby Grady Park and Saukville Elementary School. River History Day is made possible by a Tourism Grant awarded by the Saukville Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please contact Mary Boyle at info@Crossroads Rendezvous.org. |
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