Cannova's Patio Dining
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/8/09 |
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 My husband and I went to Cannova’s Pizzeria in Neenah for the first time last week. Located in downtown Neenah, Cannova’s has developed a reputation for great food and ambiance. It features exposed brick walls, wood floors and white table cloths, but we discovered that it also has a sweet little courtyard in the back. Because the weather was nice, we chose a table in the courtyard. Although there's not much of a view, it was very pleasant.
Pizza appears to be Cannova's specialty, but they offer a nice selection of pasta entrees and specials. I chose pasta with shrimp and a red sauce. The shrimp were huge and the sauce zippy, and I loved it. John picked the steak special. It looked a tad strange, with pesto over a steak. He said it was good, but next time he wants pizza. By the time we left, nearly every table was full indoors and out.
A few years ago, there were very few Fox Cities restaurants that offered outdoor dining; now there are lots to pick from. Here are a few of my other favorites:
• Waverly Beach, Menasha
• Fratello’s, Appleton and Grand Chute
• Spats, Appleton
• Naut’s Landing, Menasha
• Casa Blanca, Appleton
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Gardens of the Fox Cities
Posted by Pam Seidl on 6/1/09 |
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 I attended a program at Gardens of the Fox Cities this weekend with my daughter's Daisy Scout troop. Wonderful presentation on birds and how they rely on gardens for food.
Located in Appleton's Memorial Park, Gardens of the Fox Cities is a great place to take a class or just walk and enjoy the peaceful setting. Plenty of happenings over the summer. I'll be returning for their "STEMS" Wine and Cheese tasting June 20.
gardensfoxcities.org. |
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Trail maps available
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/1/09 |
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This is the perfect time of the year to get out and walk, ride a bike or rollerblade. It's not too hot, there aren't a lot of bugs and after a long winter it feels great. There are lots of trails in the Fox Cities, probably many more than you're aware of, and there's a great map. You can pick it up for free at the Visitor Center, which is located at 3433 W. College Avenue in Appleton. We've got lots of other great stuff too and during the summer we're open seven days a week.
Need directions? Call us at 920-734-3358. |
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I love coupons!
Posted by Lynn Peters on 5/27/09 |
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I'm the consummate bargain hunter. I love consignment stores, sales and coupons. I forgot until recently that there are coupons right here on the Fox Cities CVB website. My favorites are for Fox Cities attractions, like the Weis Earth Science Museum--free admission for two children with a paying adult. What a deal! It's only good 'til June 30th, so you'll want to head over there soon. You can print out your coupons at foxcities.org/coupon.cfm.
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Sports & Spirit
Posted by Lynn Peters on 5/19/09 |
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Last night my friends from the History Museum at the Castle invited me for a sneak-peek at their brand new exhibit. "Sports & Spirit" opens May 21, with big graphics and one-of-a-kind artifacts that will intrigue kids and adults alike. I got a particular kick out of hearing cheers from the 1920's to today, and the interactive "guess that smell" activities. There's also a mock locker room where you can try on jerseys and sports equipment. Kudos to the History Museum's staff for putting together this great exhibit with limited resources - I know you'll be as impressed as I was.
The History Museum is located in downtown Appleton. You can get lots more information at www.myhistorymuseum.org. here.
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Historic Trolley Ride
Posted by Pam Seidl on 5/14/09 |
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Here's a link to a video of the last trolley run in Appleton (1930). Believe it or not, Appleton had the first electric railway in the United States. Really neat footage and those of us that live here recognize many of the buildings (the beauty of historic preservation in Appleton and Neenah).
Get a little of that old feeling by riding the Downtown Cool trolley this summer beginning June 4th. The "new" trolley follows some of the old route from the "flats" onto College Avenue. Here's a link to the schedule and route. |
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A Doggie Bloggie
Posted by Tami Hoff on 5/12/09 |
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 For me, the first sign of spring is not when the trees begin to bud or the tulips begin to bloom. My first sign of spring is the opening of the Outagamie County Dog Park! The park closes when the first snow flies and reopens when the grounds are dry again. Our dog park just reopened a couple of weeks ago and the dogs are wagging their tails with glee! It’s a great place for locals and visitors to exercise their pets.
The Outagamie County Dog Park is located at the corner of French Road and East Northland Avenue (between Appleton and Little Chute). There are 3 play areas for the pups and their owners. The first is the small dog area. Dogs must be less than a certain height to play here. It’s a great place to socialize a new puppy and for small dogs to romp together. The next area has a long trail to hike on. One of my golden retrievers and my little Maltese faithfully follow me on the trail. My older golden, prefers “the road less traveled” and travels through the brushy, more wooded area with her nose to the ground. The last area is a big open field where dogs can run at full force, retrieve balls and Frisbees and play with other pups. We do not have a fenced in yard at home and I love to come to this area to see them run! There is a covered area with picnic tables in this area and additional picnic tables and benches throughout the entire dog park.
Be sure to bring a water dish and water for your thirsty, tired out puppy. You must clean up after your dog’s messes of course – park rule. So, don’t forget your doo-doo bags. If you happen to forget a cleanup bag, there are supplies of them throughout the park.
Taking your dog to the Outagamie County Dog Park is great fun for the dogs and their owners. It is wonderfully entertaining to watch the dogs run, play and “meet and greet” each other. The dog owners are all very friendly and love talking about their pets. A visit to the dog park is sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your dog’s step. (And, it’s FREE!) Have fun!
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Downtown Designs
Posted by Pam Seidl on 5/11/09 |
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One of my new faves in Dowtown Appleton is Downtown Designs. A great mix of jewelry, home decor and kids items, it's fun to just walk around and take it all in. I thought the bags and travel wallets made from recycled rice bags were very cool, and my daughter loves her new ladybug scissors. Best of all, I finally found the lamp I had been looking for thanks to owner Sarah's ability to know her vendors and offer to get me the exact shade I wanted. I probably wouldn't have ever thought I'd find a lamp at Downtown Designs, but its full of great surprises. Have a look. www.downtowndesignsappleton.com.
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Sun, fun and food
Posted by Lynn Peters on 5/11/09 |
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Last Thursday my friend Jean and I were heading to a show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. We decided to have dinner at Fratello's on the Fox River beforehand and the weather was so pleasant that we opted for an umbrella table overlooking the river. What a treat it was to bask in the sun while watch the water tumble over the falls. I'd probably have been happy even if the food was bad . . . but it wasn't. My spinach and strawberry salad, topped with grilled chicken, was the perfect thing for a warm day and so yummy that I didn't leave a single spinach leaf stranded on the plate.
Because it was early in the season, there were plenty of riverview tables available, however, once summer comes they're so popular that you may need to do armed combat to get one!
Want to learn more? Go to www.supplerestaurantgroup.com/fratellos/.
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Bargain Shopping
Posted by Lynn Peters on 4/27/09 |
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| I really, really love a bargain, so when my sister Beth suggested a day of thrift and consignment store shopping I jumped at the chance. The surprise of the day was the shoe section at Goodwill’s big store near the Fox River Mall. We wandered in accidentally and were blown away by the selection of never-worn or almost-never-worn shoes. My favorites, brand-new lime green sandals, didn’t fit but I consoled myself with three other pairs. My total price? $23. Betcha can’t beat that. |
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