 A cabbage salad is perfect for Spring!  Dried goji berries are used to make a "vein-away tea" by author Sara Dahmen. By Sara Dahmen Last year, we happened to be at Stonehenge on the day of Spring Equinox – that special day when the sun’s zenith hits the big stone. It was a party atmosphere there, for sure. Being in the United Kingdom makes me think of a full monty breakfast and lots of pub chips, but they also do like their lettuces and cabbages, so I’m offering a Spring salad with a twist this month, since it's finally beginning to feel like Spring in Wisconsin! Plus, we’re nearing the season of shorts, and if you’re worrying at all about veins (even those tender varicose veins), I’ve a tea that can be made daily to help smooth them away (no surgery required). As always – consistency is key for results! CABBAGE SALAD This is a fresh salad that can be made on a Sunday and kept in the fridge all week to be a quick and easy lunch or dinner staple. I usually keep it in a big Tupperware with a cover, and the toppings totally make this one! Makes 10 servings. 3 cups finely sliced green cabbage 3 cups finely sliced red cabbage 3 cups chopped fresh kale 3 cups chopped Romaine lettuce ¼ cup finely sliced green onions Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese Tri-color tortilla chips (you can find these in the salad dressing part of a grocery store) Chipotle / Southwest Ranch dressing After slicing and chopping the greens, toss together until mixed well. Keep cold until serving. To serve, put the greens in a bowl, then the dressing and, finally, sprinkle on the cheese and tortilla chips. VEIN-AWAY TEA I use this tea to try to smooth out a large painful varicose vein on my right leg, which I received curtesy of my pregnancy with my youngest child, who came out over 10lbs. Did you know that goji berries actually grow really well in Wisconsin? I took a chance a few years ago planting a squiggly twig of a plant and every year it gets bigger and has oodles of berries to be picked and dried in the oven (or a dehydrator, if you have one). They’re pretty bitter when fresh, but they get sweet after drying. You will want to dry any harvest to use for this, as you need to make a tincture from the goji berries for the tea. Yarrow also grows super here – I once transplanted a single bit of it from being a “weed” in the wrong place to a medicinal plant in my garden (it spreads fast, so be prepared to sort of keep it contained). Fun fact: fresh green yarrow leaves also work to clean and sanitize wounds and stop nosebleeds. First: Make the goji berry tincture. Take 1 cup of dried goji berries and place in a canning jar with 1.5 cups of vodka. Let sit for at least 1 month. Strain the berries and keep the liquid. For the tea: ½ tsp burdock root ½ tsp dandelion root ½ tsp dried yarrow (flowers/leaves) Boil water and add the burdock, dandelion and yarrow. Steep for 10 minutes before removing the herbs. Add in 1 tsp of the goji berry tincture. Drink daily for best results over time. Why these herbs? Dandelion is great for reducing swelling and fluid retention. It’s also required when using burdock, as otherwise the body won’t manage the full effects of burdock root. Burdock root (never use this herb alone – always use it with dandelion root or yellow dock) is the most detoxifying herb out there – it will aid with skin most of all as an anti-inflammatory herb. Yarrow is a mild diuretic and tones one's veins – even the varicose kind. It can lower blood pressure and is great in ointments for vein pain, too. Do not use yarrow if you are pregnant! Goji Berries are great for fragile capillaries and varicose veins – it’s also an anti-aging herb!  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)
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 Adorable bunny minions, courtesy of the Cocoa Tree Confectionery in Mequon (https://cocoa-tree.com/).  Big Poppa & Harvey Easter Bunnies made by The Chocolate Chisel in Port Washington. Whether you're looking for a place for Easter Brunch, the best local places to fill your Easter Baskets, or for a chance to meet the Easter Bunny, we've got you covered! Easter Events Cedarburg hosts their annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids 10 and under at Cedar Creek Park on Saturday, April 1st from 10-11:30 a.m. Bring your own basket and arrive early because this hunt goes fast! Grafton Park & Rec has their Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park on Saturday, April 1st from 12:30-1:30. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will available between 12:30 and 1, and the hunt will begin at 1 p.m. sharp — don't forget your basket! Port Washington has their annual Hippity Hop Easter Egg Hunt and Downtown Treat Hop on Saturday, April 8th from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Kids 12 and under and their families can join in the egg hunt, get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny, and participate in a Story Walk, Sing Along, or an Easter Bonnet Contest at Upper Lake Park beginning at 10 a.m. Then, "hop" to downtown Port, where many of the local businesses will be handing out additional treats between 11 and 1 p.m. New Life Church will host the 2nd Annual Airplane Easter Egg Drop at Grafton High School on Saturday, April 8th from 10 a.m. - noon with fun for the whole family. Kids 10 and under can participate in the Spring Egg Hunt at Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville. There are several sessions to choose from but you must register in advance. Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson are having an Easter Egg Hunt in Thiensville on Saturday, April 8th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Belgium will have their Easter Egg Hunt at Heritage Park, 11 a.m. sharp, on Saturday, April 8th for children 10 and under. Bring your Easter Baskets and meet the Easter Bunny! Saukville will have their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Grady Park on Saturday, April 8th from 10 a.m. - noon. Easter Brunch Easter Brunch is a time-honored tradition and there are several great places to find them in Oz. Saukville The Bog is having an Easter Brunch in The Barn between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Port Washington Moonlight Tavern in Port Washington offers an Easter Brunch from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mequon Foxtown Brewing offers an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mr. B's - a Bartolotta Steak House has a Buffet and Dinner from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thiensville The Prime Minister offers an Easter Brunch Buffet from 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Easter Candy If you're in need of Easter Candy, you're in luck! Amy's Candy Kitchen and Ashley's Confectionary in Cedarburg have great selections. Sweet Trio or Handmade With Love in Grafton and The Chocolate Chisel in Port have plenty of chocolate bunnies to go around, as well. In Mequon, you want to check out the Cocoa Tree Confectionary. Happy Easter from Ozaukee Living Local!  By Sara Dahmen To celebrate the coming of the spring it’s time to bake bread (I think every season needs some sort of bread!) but, when it’s coming on the equinox, you can “spice” it up a little bit with some spring-time flavors and adornments to make it truly special using early spring flowers made extra special by sugaring. Spring Equinox Bread Recipe 6 Tbsp unsalted butter (leave out half a day so it’s room temp) 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs (room temp) 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ¾ cup whole milk 2 tsp finely chopped freeze dried strawberries
Happy baking! Sara  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 Fredonia, Wisconsin workshop 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 Sara Dahmen Okay, this is not actually a love potion – those don’t exist, except in your local witch’s grimoire, and even that is touch and go and usually requires a pretty large sacrifice from you if you put the spell to use! However, it is the month of Valentine’s Day after all, so this month we’ll do some self-love with a love potion made from herbs and meant to warm the cockles of your heart as well as your whole body. With this inside you, you’ll be able to barrel through these weeks of Wisconsin winter and beyond! 1 tsp bayberries 1 tsp echinacea 1 tsp nettle 1 tsp parsley 1 tsp elderberries This makes 4 servings, so after mixing together, spoon ¼ of the mixture into a tea strainer, add hot water, and steep for 10 minutes before discarding and composting the organic matter and drink when cooled to your preference. This tea is a general wellness tonic that can be imbibed cold or hot – you could even make all of it at once and keep it in the fridge for a daily dose. Fun fact: Bayberry was used by settlers in the USA in the 1700's to combat many general illnesse, but do not use it if you are pregnant! From my heart to yours, Sara 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 Fredonia, Wisconsin workshop 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/   February 14th is Valentine's Day and, though many consider it a "Hallmark" holiday, the celebration actually dates back to Roman times; a fertility festival called "Lupercalia." Times have certainly changed. Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated by friends, family, and lovers, alike, and whether you need a treat for your kids or a romantic gift for your significant other, there are plenty of great, local choices in Oz. Chocolate is the most common Valentine's Day gift, and Oz is home to several very fine chocolate shops! Chocolate Chisel in Port Washington always has fresh, chocolate covered strawberries available for the occasion, as well as a wide variety of milk and dark chocolates to choose from. A beautiful caramel apple from Amy's Candy Kitchen in downtown Cedarburg makes a wonderful Valentine's gift and, while you're in town, make it a gift from Cedarburg with something from Ashley's Confectionery, too! If you're in the Grafton area, stop into Sweet Trio or Handmade with Love for a delicious variety of chocolates, candy and caramel apples, or, if you're in the southern Ozaukee neck of the woods, Mequon has the Cocoa Tree Confectionary. Flowers is another Valentine's Day favorite and Oz has the goods! In Saukville, try Lighthouse Florist; in Grafton, there's the Bloomin Olive. Cedarburg has Rachel's Roses, while Mequon has La Terre at the Mequon Public Market. Perhaps the lovely lady in your life has Jewelry in mind? You can't go wrong with Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg or Sharbuno Jewelers in Port Washington; both family businesses who have been in their community for many years. Wyndrose and Pagoda Fine Jewelry in Cedarburg are also local favorites. Really, though, does anything say "love" better than Coffee? Check out Java House or Cedarburg Coffee Roastery in Cedarburg, Java Dock or Banjole's Brews in Port Washington, Fiddleheads in Grafton, Mequon, Thiensville and Cedarburg, or Colectivo in Grafton or Mequon. Also in Mequon is the delightful Cafe 1505, which has treats, breakfast and lunch, and is also a full service coffee bar. Looking for a special Dinner out? In Port Washington, Twisted Willow and the Moonlight Tavern have very special Valentine's Day menus, or hit up Beanies Mexican Restaurant for a Cupid Margarita! Brandywine in Cedarburg is always a good bet or Shully's Cuisine in Thiensville is offering an amazing "Love Language" Dinner for Valentine's Day that would be hard to pass up. The new Bistro de Renard at the Foxtown Annex has a lovely looking 5 course Valentine's Day Dinner on Saturday, February 11th, for those who can't bear to go out on a Tuesday night. No No's in Newburg or Messina Italian Restaurant in Saukville are other considerations. However you share the love, put some Oz into it! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.  The end of Winter in Wisconsin means one thing: Fish Fry! With Lent going on, your local Catholic Churches (St. John XXIII in Port, St. Joseph's in Grafton and Divine Savior in Fredonia) become a great place to get your fix! The American Legion in Cedarburg offers a Fish Fry the third Friday of each month from 4-8:30 p.m. Of course, Oz has plenty of great restaurants serving up Wisconsin's favorite Friday (and sometimes Wednesday, during Lent) dinner. Here are some of the best options in Oz to get your Friday Fish Fry! Port Washington Fork & Tap In the heart of Downtown Port Washington, located behind Sherper's at 203 E. Main St., is offering their gluten free Potato Chip Crusted or Beer Battered Cod Fish Fry on Wednesdays as well as Fridays through Lent. Twisted Willow Port Washington's Farm-to-Table restaurant, located at 308 N. Franklin St., offers breaded or baked cod, buttered rye bread, house slaw & tartar sauce, potato pancakes or french fries, and clam chowder. Plier's Full Circle Pub & Restaurant in Port Washington, just across the freeway into Knellsville, probably has the most diverse selection for a Friday Fish Fry, including bluegill, walleye, haddock, tilapia and grouper. Schooner Pub at 114 N. Franklin St. in Downtown Port serves up cod, perch or shrimp baskets, along with the classic clam chowder. Yummy Bones BBQ is more known for their barbecue, but they serve a Fish Fry during Lent, only available on Fridays. 5 pieces of fried Cod, fries, a side of cole slaw and a corn bread. The Beacon, located on the first floor of the Harborview Inn in Dowtown Port Washington, serves up perch, cod or poor man's lobster on Fridays, with a great view of the Lake Inventors Brewpub is directly across from Veterans Park inside the American Legion (for now - they're building a new site behind the Harbor Center), where you can get unusual craft beers along with your fish fry! Saukville The Bog Reservations are recommended for this restaurant on the golf course located at 3121 County Road I in Saukville. Call (262) 988-1113. Riverview Inn in Saukville is best known for their pizza, but they also offer a great Friday Fish Fry Special. Located at 3172 N Riverside Drive along the Milwaukee River, this little log-cabin themed restaurant can get pretty crowded, but carry-out is available. Call ahead, as they are not open on a consistent basis. Newburg No No's A traditional supper club on the corner of Highway 33 and County Road Y in Newburg, No No's serves a Friday night Fish Fry, as well as All-You-Can-Eat Smelt every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-9 p.m. Call (262) 675-6960 for reservations or more information. Cork n' Barrel Bar & Grill, at 503 W. Main St. in Newburg, has baked or breaded cod, perch, jumbo shrimp and a choice of fries or potato pancakes. Grafton Juice's Ghost Town Restaurant, located at 990 Ulao Rd. in Grafton, offers a very traditional Friday Fish Fry with a choice of Perch, Haddock, or Walleye and either breaded, beer-battered, pan fried, or broiled. Children's portions are also available. Flipside Cafe and Grill at 2074 Washington St. in Grafton serves a very diverse all-day Friday Fish Fry, but they're not open late, so get on it. The Stillery, located at 1304 12th Ave. on the corner of the Paramount Plaza, is Grafton's newest restaurant, but many in the area have been going to the original Richfield location for years. The Stillery offers both a Wednesday and Friday Classic Fish Fry, as well as baked cod and other options. Waubeka Stony Hill Pub & Grill's menu says they are voted the best fish fry in Ozaukee County, but it doesn't give the source, so you'll have to be the judge. They do have a good offering of Walleye, Perch, Blue Gill and Cod, but also have an All You Can Eat Smelt option on the menu. Nothing says Oz like that. Belgium Lake Church Pub & Grill Located at 690 County Road D in Belgium, this humble little restaurant and Inn has quite a reputation for a good Friday Fish Fry. Perch, Walleye, Cod, Shrimp, and Poor Man's Lobster are all served between 4:30 and 9:30 p.m. Luxembourg Cafe, right off the freeway in Belgium (formerly Hobo's), offers a perch or cod Friday Fish Fry until 8 p.m. Friestadt The Landmark in Friestadt is such a local gem it doesn't even have a website or social media, but they have a worthy Friday Fish Fry and they are the stuff of Ozaukee legends. Located at 10634 W. Friestadt Rd. Thiensville Remington's River Inn, right on the Milwaukee River in downtown Thiensville, offers beer battered cod or poor man's lobster with the usual sides. Daily Taco doesn't seem like the place to get a fish fry, but if you liked the award-winning fish fry from the cheel, this is it: lightly fried in a chickpea & rice flour gluten-free batter, served with golden raisin slaw, Mexican basmati rice, side of house tartar and a wedge of lemon. Skippy's Burger Bar is known, of course, for their burgers, but they do offer a Friday Fish Fry, including a Breaded Lake Perch and a Southern Crusted Blue Gill option, as well as a beer battered, grilled or Cajun option. Libby Montana, located at 5616 W. Donges Bay Road, offers a Friday Fish Fry with hand breaded lake perch, cod, cornmeal crusted catfish, or shrimp, and broiled fish is also available. Mequon The Range Line Inn in Mequon was once a stagecoach stop in the early 1800's, but its been serving a good Friday Fish Fry at 2635 W. Mequon Road for a long time. Open 4:30-10 p.m.Walleye Pike, Perch, a Cod/Perch/Shrimp Combo, Fried or Baked Cod, or the Catch of the Day, which is often flown in fresh. Spanky's Hideaway at 5208 County Line Rd. offers a plethora of Friday Fish Fry options, including Cedarburg C. Weisler's is as historic as historic downtown Cedarburg can be, and they serve up a special Fish Fry, including a 3 piece Haddock Plate, a Tilapia Plate, a Lake Perch Plate, and more, from 4:30-9 p.m. every Friday at W61 N493 Washington Ave. in downtown Cedarburg. The Farmstead in Cedarburg is normally the place to go for steaks, but they do serve a classic Friday Cod Fish Fry, as well. Located at W61 N493 Washington Ave. and housed in a beautiful old farmhouse, The Farmstead is a local favorite. Settler's Inn in downtown Cedarburg offers pan fried or baked cod and pan fried walleye or perch for their Friday Fish Fry from 10 a.m. - 2:30 for dine in and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. for carry-out. Call ahead to reserve your time slot at (262) 377-1191. Know of a great Fish Fry in Oz that we missed? Contact mary@OzaukeeLivingLocal.com and tell us all about it! Then, take our Best Fish Fry in Oz Poll!  By Sara Dahmen In a Wisconsin January, the sun doesn’t show up often, we have nothing growing in our gardens, and we all want to get our systems clear of the rough weeks of eating and drinking…maybe not our best. These vitamin bowls are filled with all kinds of colorful fruits and vegetables. If you prepare all the ingredients ahead of time, you can get several meals out of this recipe – perfect for a week of lunches! This is an explosion of divine flavors that all work together; they can be eaten just like the recipe states below, or you can add some lean roasted, skinless chicken breast on top at the end. For the bowl: 4 cups cooked and drained red quinoa 1 large sweet potato – peeled and chopped into 1” squares and roasted (see directions below) 1 can black beans tossed with ½ each of salt, cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika 1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets 1 blood orange, peeled and sliced into round circles 4 cups fresh spinach 4 Tbsp pickled red onion For the slaw topping: 1 cup finely sliced green cabbage 1 cup finely sliced purple cabbage 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste For the sauce: 1 clove garlic, finely minced ½ cup tahini 1/3 cup warm water 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice To prepare: Heat oven to 425°. Toss the chopped sweet potato with some oil or water and lightly dust with salt and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes. While the sweet potatoes roast, mix the seasonings with the black beans and set aside. Mix all the slaw ingredients and set aside. Toss the cauliflower with oil, salt and pepper and add to the pan with the sweet potato in the oven. Bake together another 15 minutes. While the cauliflower and potatoes roast together, mix the sauce. When the oven items are done, assemble the bowls. Start with the quinoa on the bottom, followed by a bed of spinach, then the black beans followed by the cauliflower and sweet potatoes. From there, add the slaw, then the blood oranges and top with the tahini sauce and then the pickled onions. If you’re using chicken, add on top or right after you place the beans. 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 Fredonia, Wisconsin workshop 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 We've all been there: the panic that sets in when the clock is running out and you still haven't found the right gift, realized you forgot someone on your list, or just couldn't get a moment to get out and shop until the bitter end. Heading to a big box store may seem like the most convenient option, but there are so many amazing local and independent businesses in Oz just waiting to help you! 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 unique and wonderful. Read on, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list! 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. The Stillery in Grafton is a brand new option this year, or head down to Mequon and check out The Highland House, the St. Paul Fish Company, or Cafe 1505. 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 or the new Banjole's Brews inside of Lakeside Music & Naturals; 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 there's Sahale Ale Works, or check out Foxtown Brewing in Mequon. 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, the brand new Purple Turtle Artisan Collective, Port's Cozy Corner, or Locally Inspired. 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. For the Outdoor Sports Enthusiast Snowboarding, skiing, cycling, kayaking, skateboarding, and more! Check out 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. Candy and other Sweet Treats 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 or Handmade with Love 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;)! For the Kids (and Kids at Heart) When you're shopping for children, to 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. 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.  Sara Dahmen of Port Washington, WI shows off her new workshop in Fredonia where she restores and builds copper cookware for her business, House Copper & Cookware.  By Mary Boyle This holiday season, Sara Dahmen of Port Washington has a lot to be thankful for: On the one hand, she's celebrating the publication of the third book in her Flats Junction series, Outcast 1883; on the other, she is celebrating moving her workshop out of her garage and into its own place. The workshop, of course, isn't where she writes, but where she restores and builds copper kitchenware for her other business, House Copper & Cookware. Luckily for us, she's sharing the joy with the whole community at Locally Inspired in downtown Port Washington with a book signing and a limited number of handmade tin and copper ornaments, as well as reproduction Victorian tin tinsel for your Christmas trees, some of which you can watch her make at the event. Dahmen's latest book is a continuation of her first two historical fiction books: Widow 1881 and Tinsmith 1865, which will eventually make up a total of six books in the Flats Junction series. The stories are set mainly in the Dakotas and each book features a different woman as the main character. While it doesn't matter which order you read the first two books, Dahmen said, it helps to read the first two before reading the third. "My editor said this is the strongest book I've ever written, but it was also the hardest, because I had to make it work with the series. The first two books can each stand alone, but this one ties them together and moves the story forward." The first book, Widow 1881, is the story of Jane, a recently widowed woman who leaves the refined and settled city of Boston to take a position as a housekeeper for a doctor in the pioneer wilderness of the Dakotas. In Tinsmith 1865, Maria is the only daughter in a family of Polish Immigrant tinsmiths but, when her father falls ill and her brothers have joined the army, she must learn the trade in order to survive. The newest book, Outcast 1883, is about Kate, a character introduced in the first book who is another woman struggling to make it on her own, with the added burden of being part Native American in a time when just being a woman was hard enough. The Flats Junction series is in serious development for a television series, although there has been a lot of delay, thanks to the pandemic. While the television project looks promising and Dahmen is excited about the prospect, she knows it's a matter of waiting for all the pieces to fall into place. In the meantime, she'll be writing another book a year for the next three years to finish the series, along with working in her shop, caring for her three young children, and pursuing her other varied interests, including historical reenacting. Along with all the historical research Dahmen puts into her books, reenacting, she said, has helped to give her a very real physical knowledge of the period. "I know how it feels to wear a corset and the weight of the skirts around your waist," Dahmen explained. Not only that, she knows exactly how Maria felt being a woman tinsmith in the mid-nineteenth century, as she has demonstrated coppersmithing and tinsmithing at the 2018, 2019, and 2022 Crossroads Rendezvous, an event she helped to reestablish, alongside the man who taught her the trade: Bob Bartelme of Backwoods Tin & Copper in West Bend.  Tin and Copper ornaments, made by Dahmen, will be available for purchase at her book signing on December 10th from 10-noon at Locally Inspired in Port Washington. As the only female coppersmith in the country, Dahmen also has great experience being a woman struggling in a man's world, and that world is a very small one; there are very few tinsmiths and coppersmiths left and the ones that are working are often jewelry makers or other types of artists, not people making cookware. Dahmen’s hope is that more people, and more women, will take up these types of historical trades, continuing traditions and passing down knowledge from older generations before that knowledge is lost. With her new workshop, Dahmen will be able to hire assistants and hold classes, among other exciting opportunities; but first, she must finish all of her holiday orders, which all seems more manageable now that her workshop is no longer in her home and she can’t be suddenly interrupted by one of her children in the midst of working with sharp objects over hot flames.
To see Sara Dahmen in action and purchase or pre-order a signed copy of her latest book, head to Locally Inspired in downtown Port Washington between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, December 10th. Learn more about Sara and all her doings at https://housecopper.com.  Nothing beats the holidays in Oz! From beloved holiday theatre opportunities to tree lightings and parades, we've got the line up in Oz and beyond!
Holiday Events Friday, November 18 Festive Friday Eve, An Enchanted Christmas, and the Kuhefuss House Holiday Marketplace & Gathering in Cedarburg Saturday, November 19 Buechler Farms "Not Just A Tree" opens in Belgium Sunday, November 20 Handmade Ozaukee Christmas Market in Random Lake Cinema Under the Stars Holiday Edition: THE SANTA CLAUSE Grafton Tree Lighting Friday, November 25 Festive Friday Eve, An Enchanted Christmas, and the Kuhefuss House Holiday Marketplace & Gathering in Cedarburg Saturday, November 26 Breakfast with Santa in Cedarburg 42nd Annual Grafton Christmas Parade Shop Hop Event in Port Washington Christmas Market at Saukville Feeds Fredonia Tree Lighting Sunday, November 27 Dinner with Mr. Clause at Twisted Willow in Port Monday, November 28 Tree Lighting in Cedarburg Tuesday, November 30 Giving Tuesday at the WMQFA/Free admission to 5th Annual Fiber Arts Biennial Wednesday, December 1 Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas Wonderland in Grafton, through December 5 Friday, December 2 Holiday Art Fair in Cedarburg through December 4th Kickoff to the Holiday Film Festival at the Rivoli Theatre in Cedarburg, through Dec. 23rd Festive Friday Eve, An Enchanted Christmas, and the Kuhefuss House Holiday Marketplace & Gathering in Cedarburg Kick off to Illuminate Ozaukee Drive-Thru Holiday Light Display, through Dec. 23rd Tree Lighting in Thiensville Saturday, December 3 Christmas at the Legion in Saukville, through December 4 Christmas Cookie Walk at St. John's Lutheran in Port Washington The Polar Express in Grafton Christkindlmarkt in Port Washington Christmas on the Corner in Port Washington Illuminate Ozaukee Sunday, December 4 European Christmas Parade, Festival and Chili CookOff in Belgium Yule Log Hunt at Riveredge in Saukville Tree Lighting in Saukville Wednesday, December 7 Here Comes Santa Claus to Oscar Grady Library Friday, December 9 A CHRISTMAS CAROL with Cedarburg Children's Theater, through Dec. 11th A Kodachrome Christmas Starring John McGivern at the CPAC, through Dec. 11th ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS at Memories Dinner Theater, through Dec. 18th Festive Friday Eve, An Enchanted Christmas, and the Kuhefuss House Holiday Marketplace & Gathering in Cedarburg Illuminate Ozaukee Saturday, December 10 Kapco's Kids2Kids Celebration of Giving, through December 11th Santa's Dash Away 5K Fun Run/Walk in Cedarburg Mequon Police Dept.'s 6th Annual Holiday Giftwrapping Fundraiser Winter Market at the Annex in Mequon Holiday Art Show & Sale at East Towne Square in Mequon 2nd Annual Holiday Tasting at the Mequon Public Market Illuminate Ozaukee Sunday, December 11 Traditions on the Green: Winter Fun at the Mequon Public Market 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 16-December 11 The Nativity Variations with The Rep Nov. 18-Dec. 31 A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney's Broadway Hits at Skylight Nov. 25-Dec. 24 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer™: The Musical with First Stage Nov. 25-Dec. 11 Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some) with Kettle Moraine Playhouse November 26 The Hip Hop Nutcracker at the Marcus Center November 27 Hartford City Band Holiday Concert at the Schauer Center November 29-December 24 A Christmas Carol with The Rep November 30 "A Shining Star" Holiday Pajama Jamboree with Festival City Symphony December 1-4 BEHS presents White Christmas, The Musical at the Wilson Center December 1-18 Elf The Musical at Sunset Playhouse December 2 B2WINS Sounds of the Season at the Schauer Center in Hartford December 2-4 Christmas Carol with the Falls Patio Players December 3-4 The Nutcracker Ballet at the Weil Center in Sheboygan December 2-11 A Christmas Carol with West Bend Theatre Company December 11 Canadian Brass Christmas at the Wilson Center December 2-10 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with Sheboygan Theatre Company December 3-5 A Christmas Carol with West Bend Theatre Company December 6 Tenors MKE Holiday Concert at Sunset Playhouse December 7-11 Festive Folk Cabaret at Sunset Playhouse December 8-11 MSO Holiday Pops Concert December 9-11 A Christmas Carol with Cedarburg Children's Theater* December 9-11 A Kodachrome Christmas Starring John McGivern at the CPAC* December 9-12 Another Night Before Christmas at the Kettle Moraine Playhouse December 9-18 Another Night Before Christmas at Memories Dinner Theater* December 15 MSO Holiday Concert at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center (CPAC)* December 16 MSO Holiday Concert at the Wilson Center December 16-18 MSO presents Handel's Messiah December 17 OzaukeChorus presents Christmas Memories at the GHS Auditorium December 17 Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas at the CPAC* December 17 Marie Osmond - A Symphonic Christmas at the Weil Center December 17 MSO Film with Orchestra: The Snowman December 18 Christmas at Holy Hill with the Lakeshore Symphonic Band December 10-24 The Nutcracker with The Milwaukee Ballet *In Ozaukee County |
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