 By Mary Boyle When the frigid Wisconsin cold keeps us indoors we, unfortunately, share more than space. If you're fighting off a cold or flu, this Healing Vegetable Broth, courtesy of Medical Medium, is perfect to sip from your favorite mug, but also makes plenty of extra for your freezer to use in any recipe that calls for vegetable broth (or for when the next person in your household comes down with the sniffles!). In a large stockpot add:
Place all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a gentle boil. Turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for about an hour, covered. Strain and sip for a mineral rich, healing and restorative broth, or leave the veggies in to enjoy as a light healing soup. Broth will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator, or freeze for later use. Personally, I add a bit more celery and carrots and more water to fill my big stock pot so I have plenty of broth to fill my freezer. Feel free to fill a mug to sip from when it's done; otherwise, allow the broth to cool and pour through a sieve into freezer-safe containers (be sure to leave about 1 inch of space at the top, as it will expand when frozen). I compost all of the veggies, as they sort of become washed of flavor in the simmering (the broth is actually more effective without the veggies in it, but I know it can feel wasteful, so you do you;) . I ended up with nearly 6 quarts of broth. For those of you looking to get healthier in the New Year, I cannot recommend Medical Medium highly enough. By implementing Anthony William's recommendations, I have personally experienced incredible results. The books are great; however, all of the information is available on the website, including this recipe and many others. Here's to your health!
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 Listen, people: I know 2021 did not turn out to be what we all wanted, but that doesn't mean that we can't get our hopes up for 2022! This New Year's, there are more places to go and things to do for those who are looking for it and, better still, the free shared-ride taxi will be running from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. for any Ozaukee County resident who needs it (just call 262-284-8294). Whether you're looking for a grand dinner out or a place to celebrate into the wee hours, we've got you covered, but be sure to make calls or keep an eye on social media before you go, as Covid just won't seem to leave us alone. NYE Dinner Unfortunately, Brandywine in Cedarburg is sold out and Twisted Willow had to cancel their Champagne Celebration due to Covid, but you can preorder a take-and-bake Prime Rib Dinner for Two from Stilt House in Cedarburg or reserve your spot for a Prime Rib Dinner at Singing Salmon Saloon in Port Washington by calling 262-536-4024. Reservations are recommended for Juice's Ghost Town Restaurant in Grafton, where they're serving up a special New Year's Eve dinner from 4-9, including prime rib, lobster, surf & turf and seafood scampi (call 262- 376-9003). No reservations required at the new Boots Q 'n Boogie in Waubeka and they're serving until 8 p.m., or grab a fish fry until 9 at The Hub at Cedar Creek. Kyotes Bar & Grill in Belgium has a New Year's Eve Surf & Turf Special featuring your choice of Ribeye or Filet topped with Lions Mane and Blue Oyster Mushrooms; 2, 3oz Lobster Tails; Twice Baked Potato and pan seared Broccoli for $48, along with a NYE party featuring live music and more until 1 a.m. Plier's Full Circle Pub & Restaurant in Port is open until 9 p.m. Seven Hills Pub & Grill in Port has a special NYE dinner from 4-9, including a fish fry, and reservations are accepted. NYE Party The Bridge Inn in Grafton has their Cheers to the New Year Party with DJ Infotek, including a champagne toast at midnight and a free saferide from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Inventors Brewpub in Port is bringing back their New Year's Family Pajama Party from 6 p.m. until close, featuring games, snacks, prizes and early 10 and 11 p.m. ball drops, as well as Sprite for the kids, who are encouraged to wear PJ's and bring blankets and pillows. Sir James Pub in Port brings back their Hogwarts New Year! Wear your house colors and earn points for your Hogwarts house and a free shot, if you're so inclined. Enjoy a Butterbeer or other house-themed cocktails, plus snacks all night and a champagne toast at midnight! The Union House in Cedarburg will be open until 12:30 a.m., beginning at 4 pm. on the 31st. On New Year's Day, the Port Washington Polar Bear Club brings back the Polar Plunge at South Beach, which is always fun to watch. Should the day prove fine, spending time along the lakeshore at Lion's Den, Harrington Beach or the parks around Port Washington is still a great way to start the new year. Happy New Year, Oz!  By Sara Dahmen The snow has officially begun to whisper in Oz. As I write this; it’s whirligig-dancing outside my window, but let’s be real – it’ll probably melt in time for Christmas Eve. It’s the time of year when the “dragon” or the “Green Man” is deep underground; when the warmth of summer is ever further away, and when we think of knits and hot food, spicy mulled wine, and building a fire inside instead of outside. My children have asked when the next fire feast is, and Winter Solstice is the perfect time for it! So, light a fire and loads of candles and make a wreath and honor grandparents; it’s the start of a new season and marks the end of the dark. Essentially, it’s the celebration of the light to return! (See how it’s all linked? Beautiful, ain’t it?) BASIL SHRIMP PASTA We consider shrimp a treat, but it is the holidays, so it’s a perfect time to have one! This meal is super simple. I always start the pasta water first, then boil the pasta and make the shrimp at the same time, so it’s all hot and ready together. You can always change this up by using different pastas! **This recipe is for 2 people. 2lbs raw shrimp, deveined and detailed 1lb pasta noodles 3 cloves garlic, minced ½ yellow onion, finally chopped 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper ¼ cup dried basil 1/3 cup almond milk, regular milk, cashew milk or whipping cream (I mean, it’s mainly all about how decadent you want to be!) Bring a pot of water to boil, sprinkle in a pinch of salt and add the pasta, stirring so it doesn’t stick and following your pasta packaging instructions for length of time to boil the pasta. Meanwhile, add the garlic and onion to a pot and add in ¼ cup of water. Heat the onion and garlic on low until almost translucent, then add in the salt, pepper, and the shrimp. Cook the shrimp (adding a tablespoon of water as needed) until pink. Add in the basil and whatever dairy/milk you chose. Mix and heat. Drain the pasta noodles and add them to the shrimp pot. Fold together gently until the noodles are coated. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve very warm direct from the pot. SWEET IMMUNITY TEA Since the holidays mark a time when we all hang out indoors with extended family and share germs and hugs and wildcat hors d’oeuvres, it helps to bolster the immune system whenever possible. This tea is best taken daily to get the full effects. All of the herbs are easy to find and can be used without restrictions on how often you take them. 1 tsp elderberries 1 tsp elderflowers 1 tsp rosehips (crushed) 1 tsp echinacea flowers and leaves 1 tsp nettle leaves ½ tsp peppermint Mix all the ingredients together and place ½ of the mixture (save the other half for another cup of tea later!) in a tea sieve. Boil water. Pour the water over the sieve or in the cup and leave the tea to steep for 7 minutes. Remove the tea, let it cool to your preference and drink! Why these herbs? Elderberries and flowers for anti-viral protection – the berries especially enhance immunity Echinacea as a potent counter to viral and bacterial infections – a high immunity plant that is anti-microbial and ideal for preventing illness Rosehips are wonderful for fighting viral infections in general Nettle is an overall health tonic, excellent for everyday use Peppermint for taste, as well as for digestion – so many illnesses stem from gut issues [ I’ll make greenwitches out of all of you yet! ;) ] Happy Holidays!  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/ Order Sara's book! Full color, hard-cover COPPER IRON AND CLAY (Morrow/HarperCollins)  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 has 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.   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.  By Sara Dahmen Before winter officially arrives, we still have some delightful fall days ahead, filled with family and food. This month we’re diving into a fiber-rich soup and some elecampane syrup to end the rough coughs and colds sure to come by our indoor mingling with extended family during Thanksgiving (and the exchange of germs that comes with said mingling). FOUR BEAN CHILI We eat quite clean in our house (you’ll notice my recipes do not have butter or oils or any animal products – it’s a cancer-staving-off method of living we’ve adopted since we lost my father-in-law two years ago), but you can always modify any recipes with meat and dairy, which I’ll note as well. Beans are an excellent source of protein as well as fiber and the more colors you can use of beans, the more nutrient-dense your meal will be. I’ve used what I had in the house, but truly any beans can be used. **If you use dried beans, soak them in water overnight before using. 1 can red kidney beans 1 can white/ great Northern beans 1 can pinto beans 1 can black beans 1 can diced and fire-roasted tomatoes 1 yellow onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, mince 4 cups vegetable broth 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp garlic salt 2 tsp cumin 2 tsp chili powder 2 tsp dried parsley * Browned and strained ground beef optional Pour about ½ cup water into a large pot. Add in the onion and garlic and cook until transparent, stirring often. Add in all other ingredients (including the beef if you are using) and cook together on a low simmer, occasionally gently stirring, for about 20 minutes. Garnish with shredded cheese and bacon bits if you wish. Serve warm with fresh bread loaves. ELECAMPANE SYRUP Elecampane is a field flower that has been well naturalized in Wisconsin. It’s used in herbal medicine quite regularly. I’ve been using it with my children since they were very young since, first and foremost, it is a very effective cough (especially nighttime coughs) suppressant. With most over-the-counter cough medications only OK for children aged 12 and older, I wanted something natural and available for my toddlers. You only use the root of the plant. If you forage, take only half the root. If you grow your own, wait two years to harvest part of the root. Sometimes I can get in fresh root from the west coast, but it’s much easier to find dried root. I’m enclosing both recipes here. Use: Take up to 6 doses per day for up to 3 days. Dose: 2tsp as needed for adults and ½ tsp for children as needed Do not take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Not recommended for children under the age of 2. If you do have children under 2, replace the honey with maple syrup. Fresh Root Syrup: 5-6oz fresh elecampane roots, scrubbed and sliced 1 ¼ cup raw honey Fill a pint jar with the roots, pour in the honey, stir and cover tightly. Label the jar with date and place in a cool dark place. Allow syrup to infuse for at least 4 weeks and up to 3 months. Strain the infused syrup through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the roots. Transfer the syrup to a clean glass jar, cover tightly and label. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 year. Dried Root Syrup: 1oz dried elecampane root, sliced or chopped 2 cups water ½ cup raw honey Combine the elecampane root and water in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until the liquid has reduced in half. Allow the decoction to cool slightly then strain through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, pressing the roots against the sides of the sieve to extract as much medicine as possible. Discard the roots. Measure the liquid and divide that volume by two to make sure you use the right amount of honey. For example, if you get 1 cup of elecampane liquid, add ½ cup of honey, etc. Allow the elecampane decoction/liquid to cool until just warm to the touch and then add your honey and stir to combine. Transfer syrup to clean glass jar and label. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 year. NOTE: Elecampane decoction can turn turquoise when exposed to oxygen. If you cool the decoction/liquid completely after boiling before you add the honey, you may see this color change. It is completely harmless and the syrup is still completely fine.  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/ Order Sara's book! Full color, hard-cover COPPER IRON AND CLAY (Morrow/HarperCollins)   *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 Tuesday, November 30 24" Fresh Hand-Tied Wreath Class at Kletzein Garden Center in Port Washington 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 Monday, December 6 Evergreen Porch Gnome Class at Kletzein Garden Center in Port Washington Wednesday, December 8 Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton, through December 12 Thursday, December 9 Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg, through December 11 Fresh Hanging Kissing Ball Class at Kletzein Garden Center in Port Washington 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 Sunday, December 12 Gingerbread House Day at the Mequon Public Market Wednesday, December 15 Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton, through December 23 Evergreen Porch Gnome Class at Kletzein Garden Center in Port Washington Thursday, December 16 Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg, through December 18 Jonathan Clark's Kitchen: Shortbread Cookies for Christmas in Mequon Friday, December 17 Festive Friday in Cedarburg An Enchanted Christmas at the Cedarburg Art Museum An Olde English Christmas with Peter Noone at the CPAC Meet Santa in a Snow Globe in Port Washington Saturday, December 18 Christmas Bird Count at Riveredge Kid's Ornament Workshop at Buechler Farms in Belgium Fresh Hand-Tied Wreath Class at Kletzein Garden Center in Port Washington Meet Santa in a Snow Globe in Port Washington Tuesday, December 21 Fresh Festive Centerpiece Class at Kletzein Garden Center in Port Washington Thursday, December 23 Illuminate Ozaukee in Cedarburg Sunday, December 26 Final Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton 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 9-12 Another Night Before Christmas at the Kettle Moraine Playhouse 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. |
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