By Michelle Prud'Homme Standlee

My family is blessed to live in Cedarburg -- a beautiful, small town Americana reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting.  This quaint little spot on the map, just North of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, comes complete with antique shops, cozy bed and breakfasts, and delightful cafes lining the picturesque main street.  The Cedar Creek, which flows peacefully through the town, refreshes those who gather at its side to play and picnic.  The soft, frothy white waves of the Cedar Creek Falls attract tourists and residents alike with a humming, watery lullaby.
 
Along the main street, you will find an adorable rustic shop nestled among the other vintage architecture.  In 2011, we were fortunate to have Penzey's Spices open its shop doors in downtown Cedarburg.  Penzey's motto is "Love People...cook them tasty food."  What a perfect addition to this little city which, like Penzey's, displays a genuine love for people.
 
Penzey's carries over a hundred different spices, which makes it easy to get creative in the kitchen.  Whether you are in the mood for a zesty Italian dish or savory French cuisine, Penzey's has got you covered.  What's more, the friendly shop keepers are knowledgeable about the spices and can help you choose the best flavors for your meal creation.  Penzey's also takes the time to learn from its customers by listening to their questions, stories and recipe ideas.
 
This brings me back to Penzey's love for people.  Penzey's helps you create food that is not only tasty, but food that is also healthy for you and your loved ones.  Without perhaps even knowing it, by using Penzey's high-quality herbs and spices you may be adding some very welcome health benefits to your meals.
 
For thousands of years, people have used herbs and spices not only to flavor their cooking, but also as natural health remedies.  Even today, many cultures still embrace this wisdom.  For example, many Eastern cultures still use ginger to ease stomach ailments such as indigestion and nausea.  Some research shows that ginger may help combat the common cold and even the flu.  Ginger is one of the many healthful spices that Penzey's offers.  (How I wish I knew of their delicious, stomach-soothing Ginger Sweet Bits when I was pregnant to ease morning sickness naturally!)
 
For a healthy snack that also gives your stomach a little TLC, here is a nutritious smoothie recipe that includes Penzey's China Powdered #1 Ginger:
 
Penzey's Ginger Kale Smoothie
 
One handful of kale, spinach or other greens
Half of a cucumber (peeled if waxy skin)
One apple (cored and chopped, peeled if desired)
1/8 tsp Penzey's China Powdered #1 Ginger
honey to taste
squeeze of lemon juice
enough water to cover ingredients
a few ice cubes
 
Put all in high-speed blender until smooth
Serves 1-2
 
As I stroll down the main street with my babies in tow, I appreciate being able to live in this sweet little town where Penzey's set up shop.  This is the place we call our hometown, where we will raise our children, hoping that one day they too, will appreciate its beauty and vintage charm.  And now I'm heading home to make some ginger broccoli chicken for dinner...with Penzey's ginger, of course.
 
Michelle Prud'Homme Standlee is a wife, mom, holistic Registered Nurse, and artist from Cedarburg, Wisconsin.  When she is not mommying, Michelle loves writing, cooking, researching alternative medicine, and painting on canvas.
 

Cedarburg Art Museum is so much more than a place with beautiful art.  Located in the heart of downtown Cedarburg, CAM also has an amazing array of events and classes for all members of the community.  Here is what's happening in June:

J​une 9:  6:30 pm, CAM Photography Group Gallery Night
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg 
Members of the CAM Photographic will bring work to share and discuss in a pop up gallery.This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org

June 10, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Paula Swaydan Grebel: A Timeless Dialogue, 
Opening Reception 
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg  
Paula Swaydan Grebel has often painted en plein air, but she also continues artistic explorations by studying and adapting master artists’ renderings of figures in the landscape, exploring abstractions in acrylic or refining tonality and hues in oil paint. Exhibition runs June 8- August 28, 2016. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org  

June 10, 5:30- 8:30 pm, The Plein Air Paintings of Richard Lorenz,
Opening Reception   
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg

Richard Lorenz came to Milwaukee from Germany in 1886 for the panorama painting industry. As early as 1887-1890, Lorenz travelled on horseback in remote areas of the American West to paint the quickly changing landscape and culture en plein air. Exhibition runs June 8- August 28, 2016. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org  

June 10, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Metal in Motion: Curtis Archer Sculptures,
Opening Reception 
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg

The museum’s outdoor garden space will feature the large scale work of Lake Geneva sculptor Curtis Archer.  Archer creates impressive sculptures by forming and welding pieces of aluminum or copper into curvilinear forms and combining them into unified elements. Sponsored by MH Consulting Partners. Exhibition runs June 8- September 25, 2016. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org  

June 15, 1 pm, Mah Jongg
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg

Consider giving Mah Jongg a try. If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it along. Free for members, $5 each time for non-members. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org

June 16, 10:30-11:30 am, 1-2 pm, Main Street Art Camp
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg

Open to preschool and elementary aged children, each week includes several arts and craft projects. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while their children complete the activities. This week's theme is "Animals." Made possible by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Pink Llama Gallery. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org


June 23, 10:30-11:30 am, 1-2 pm, Main Street Art Camp
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg

Open to preschool and elementary aged children, each week includes several arts and craft projects. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while their children complete the activities. This week's theme is "Space." Made possible by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Pink Llama Gallery. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org

June 30, 10:30-11:30 am, 1-2 pm, Main Street Art Camp
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg

Open to preschool and elementary aged children, each week includes several arts and craft projects. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while their children complete the activities. This week's theme is "Magic." Made possible by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Pink Llama Gallery. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org

June 30, 5:30- 9:00 pm, Summer Beer Garden
Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg
Come to the backyard of the Cedarburg Art Museum to enjoy a family-friend;y evening with music, drinks, and food. This week features food from Mel's Pig Roast and music by Lisa Edgar & Razzmatazz with David Boyles, music sponsored by Ascedia. Supported by Sprecher Brewery and Olsen's Piggly Wiggly. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org

By Adam Azzalino 

​May 2016 marks the 140th anniversary of the construction of one of Cedarburg’s prominent and picturesque landmarks, the covered bridge. In addition to being a historic landmark, the bridge documents a design long past. Estimates range that between 34 and 50 covered bridges were once scattered across the state.  The covered bridge in Cedarburg is the sole survivor of this style.

Why bridges were covered in the late 19th century is not known. Lore and legend abound. Some say that they were covered to give shelter in storms. Others suggest that it was to provide protection from attacks by Native Americans, although this has largely been discounted by most architectural historians as myth. More likely, the covering was to protect the bridge’s structure from rain and snow.

The Cedarburg Bridge is not only unique for being the last of its kind, it is also unique in how it was erected. The lattice truss style of building bridges is rarely used in construction projects today. Three-by-ten-inch planks were webbed together and held together by two-inch pins. Three-inch planks were laid to create a floor. Sources indicate that the pine planks and lumber to construct the bridge were milled in Baraboo, Wis. At its completion, the bridge was 120 feet long and 12 feet wide. In 1927, a center abutment was added to handle the weight of cars.
          
The push to construct a covered bridge was a community effort. After flooding in Cedar Creek washed away several primitive bridges, nine farmers approached the Board of Supervisors of the Town of Cedarburg with a petition to build a covered bridge on May 18, 1876. Their petition proclaimed that the bridge was a “comfort for all the citizens in the north part of town…” Indeed, sources suggest that after its opening a dance was held to celebrate the new bridge, which was dubbed “The Red Bridge,” by townsfolk, as it was once painted a glossy red.

Its opening day would not be the last time the bridge was publicly recognized. In 1940, bridge maintenance was transferred to the Ozaukee County Board. As the twentieth century reached its midpoint, and covered bridges around the state began to fall into disuse and disappear, there were calls to preserve Cedarburg’s covered bridge.
            
The first group to recognize the bridge’s historical significance was the Port Washington chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution (D.A.R.). On October 1, 1955, the ladies of the D.A.R., accompanied by the Port Washington High School band, dedicated a historical marker on the spot. The speaker at the dedication urged his audience to “…keep in memory those sturdy pioneers who, through patience and fortitude, finally overcame the elements and built a covered bridge which will endure for many years to come.” In 1961 an uncovered bridge was constructed west of the old covered bridge as a replacement to handle vehicle traffic.  This led to the covered bridge being taken out of service in 1962.   In 1965, the bridge was recognized with an official Wisconsin state marker presented by the Ozaukee County Historical Society. It read in part: “Last Covered Bridge—retired 1962.”
            
Jeanette Barr, the secretary of the Ozaukee County Historical Society, was one of the speakers at the dedication in 1965.  Barr pondered what the future held for the covered bridge in a closing statement: “Who can guess what the scene will be at the last covered bridge in another 89 years--in the year 2054 A.D.?” The distance from that date is no longer so far-flung into the future, but little can be accurately predicted about the years ahead. As with any century, shocks and surprises and social advancements are sure to come. One thing can be said for certain, however; no matter how the future shapes the landscape—as long as the community of Cedarburg displays the same level of dedication and stewardship it has in the past—the bridge will remain a treasured part of the town.   

*Originally published on the Ozaukee County Historical Society website, and reprinted with permission from the author.

A year ago today, local author, Sara Dahmen, released her first novel, Doctor Kinney's Housekeeper.  A first place winner of the Chanticleer Book Review for Women's Historical Fiction, the story is set in the Dakota Territories in the late 1800's, and nearly everything important in the book takes place in the kitchen.  The story, along with a love of cooking and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, inspired Dahmen's latest venture:  a line of historically-inspired cookware called Housekeeper Crockery.

"I wanted to go one step beyond the food discussion," said Dahmen.  "We're buying organic, local, sustainable food, but when we bring it home, what do we cook it in?  Cookware made in China with a bazillion chemicals in it."

Housekeeper Crockery consists of a line of cast iron and copper pots and pans, ceramic bowls, wooden spoons, and cotton towels that are entirely made in America.  In fact, the cast iron is poured in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and the pottery comes from Rowe Pottery in Cambridge, Wisconsin.

Dahmen has been very hands on in the cast iron and copper process, learning traditional methods from tin and copper smiths, and talking shop with anyone she can.

"Cookware is a man's world, but the information sharing has been wonderful.  Even competitors share, because they want a really good product; it's more than just making money.  These products are meant to last a lifetime."

The venture has created work for small artisans across the country -- in some cases, workers are being re-taught skills in order to make the cookware.  When searching for a place where the line of copper cookware could be made, Dahmen learned that copper pots have not been made en masse in the United States for 90 years.  

In keeping with her commitment to local, Dahmen is also working with local businesses to sell her products.  "I'd rather support mom and pop boutiques, and keep the jobs here.  Integrity and transparency are important to me."

Housekeeper Crockery can be found at Blue Heron Artisan's Marketplace in Port Washington, as well as the Rustic Palate in Cedarburg, who will be having a product launch party for the line on May 21st from 11-4.

Interestingly, the book that inspired the cookware line has inspired another book: a request for a non-fiction book about cookware, which will be Dahmen's next project.

Not only is Dahmen a writer and a business owner, she is also a successful event planner and a mother to three children under the age of 6.  This begs the question:  How does she do it?  

​Dahmen smiled.  "I'm lucky to have a very supportive husband."

Cedarburg Salutes America is the theme at the 42nd Annual Winter Festival, this Saturday and Sunday, February 20th and 21st, in downtown Cedarburg. 

The traditional Ice Sculpture Contest will begin bright and early at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.  Visitors can watch as blocks of ice take shape while strolling Washington Avenue and checking out the Petting Zoo in the Community Center parking lot between 10 and 3.  Stop into the Community Center for make 'n take crafts, sponsored by the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts; coffee, cocoa and sweet bar; Upstairs Marketplace from 10-4; Individual Chili Contest from 11-1 and Restaurant Chili Contest from 11-4; and, also, the Festival Food Booth, featuring food from Out & Out Custard, and more.  

The parade begins at 1:30, featuring the entries for the annual Bed Races.  Follow the parade to the Mill Pond on Cedar Creek, behind the Settlement, and you'll get a good look at all of the sculptures before they're judged at 2 p.m.  The bed races take place from 1:30-2 on the Mill Pond, ice conditions permitting, with the Barrel Races immediately after.

The Cedarburg Cultural Center will have a Cool Notes Musical Talent Competition between 1:30 and 5, featuring local talent.  Then, in the evening, come back to the CCC for Cool Brews and Tunes, featuring Dueling Pianos, appetizers from Cedarburg's finest restaurants, a beer tasting, and wine from Cedar Creek Winery.  Tickets are $25, and attendees must be 21 or over.

On Sunday, fill up at a Pancake Breakfast from 8-11:30 at the Community Center, and then head out to more festivities, including the Dog Weight Pull Contest from 10-4 in the Community Center parking lot, and an Egg Hunt on the City Hall grounds at 10:30.

There is so much to do at the Festival, it's impossible to mention it all here!  Go to:  http://www.cedarburgfestival.org/#!wf-schedule/ for a full listing of events.  

Why, as Mr. Rogers said, "They're the people that you meet, as you're walking down the street; they're the people that you meet each day!"  

​If you've been in downtown Cedarburg at all over the past five years, you've likely met Jimmy "the Popcorn Man" Fortunato.  It's pretty hard to miss his antique popcorn wagon, parked just south of the Java House on Washington Avenue.  Lately, though, you may have noticed that Jimmy hasn't been in his wagon as much as he usually is.  We caught up with him to find out why.

Jimmy's a very well-loved local, as the community demonstrated during a cash mob sponsored by Ozaukee Magazine a year and a half ago, where just over $15,000 was raised in four weeks to help keep Jimmy, who had had some serious health issues over the summer of 2013, in business.  The fundraiser was a huge success, allowing Jimmy to catch up financially, and get back to business as usual.

This past summer, Jimmy was able to purchase a small, portable, antique popcorn wagon.  Unlike his large wagon, this new purchase has enabled Jimmy to travel to events and parties, both indoor and out.  Ironically, the success of the small wagon has been so great that it has kept Jimmy away from the big wagon.

"I can't be here enough and, unfortunately, it doesn't make sense, financially, to hire someone to run [the big wagon]," said Jimmy, who put his large wagon up for sale on Craigslist this past September.  "I don't want to sell to just anybody, though.  I want the wagon to stay here in Cedarburg; in fact, I'm hoping that one of the local non-profits will take it over and use it as a fundraiser, like they did with the Rivoli.  It's a fun place to volunteer in."

In the meantime, Jimmy is manning his big wagon on Washington Avenue as often as he can manage, in between parties and events with his portable wagon, but he has no plans to leave the Cedarburg area anytime soon.

"I love all of the people here - they've been so good to me," Jimmy said.  "I really hope someone can help me keep the tradition of the popcorn wagon going - it belongs in Cedarburg."