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The New Naut's
Posted by Pam Seidl on 3/20/09 |
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 One of my favorite "go-to" places for a family dinner is Naut's Landing in Menasha. Located right across from the Menasha marina, Naut's has been a main-stay for many years. The nautical theme and big fish tank add an air of the tropics, even if it's December.
Naut's recently went smoke-free and made some layout changes, opening up space in the bar and adding more cozy booths in the dining area.
Specials like "grillin' on the deck" Saturdays, the Thursday night pizza buffet and dinner with Santa, as well as a number of community-oriented funraisers make Naut's a special place with a big heart.
Family, boater and "biker" (it's a nice bike ride across the Fox Cities Trestle Trail from the Town of Menasha) Naut's provides good food in a casual, fun atmosphere. My 5-year old recommends the spaghetti-o's with meatballs, I recommend pretty much anything else. |
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Chic to Chic
Posted by Lynn Peters on 3/19/09 |
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 My 2009 New Year's resolution wasn't exactly a resolution; it was a list of places in the Fox Cities I wanted to visit. I'm a huge fan of consignment stores, so "Chic to Chic," was on that list. Located in a small strip mall on Appleton's east side, I'd heard people talk about their high-end clothes. It's a small shop, as it turns out, and I wouldn't describe everything as high-end, but a number of better brand names certainly caught my eye.
Like all consignment shops, each item is a one-of-a-kind. I was taken with a sleeveless lime green cashmere top originally from Ann Taylor. Way cute, and a good price, but unfortunately not my size. In addition to clothing, Chic to Chic carries quite a bit of costume jewelry, and in the back I discovered an interesting selection of purses.
I think the Too Little For Me Shop in downtown Appleton is still my favorite consignment store - I've found some real treasures there - but I'll certainly return to Chic to Chic in the future. |
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Young Picasso's
Posted by Kim Tisler on 2/23/09 |
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 Looking for something educational, fun and creative, to do with your young children in these waning days of winter? The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum has it! This past weekend, we headed to Neenah in snowy weather to escape our winter blues. Our children, ages 5 and eight, were happily anticipating what they might find to explore. Situated adjacent to Riverside Park alongside Lake Winnebago, and nestled within an area of amazing historic mansions, the museum provides a perfect backdrop for young and old alike to reconnect with their artistic side. The museum’s extensive collection of glass artwork and paperweights is something to behold in itself.
I was pleased to find that, in addition to offering art classes for adults, they offer classes for children as well. Classes are offered on an ongoing basis, by age, and cover a host of art mediums for kids to explore. This past weekend it was watercolor painting, but future classes offer instruction in sketching, clay, drawing techniques, and color and composition. Our young artists emerged from their classroom filled with pride and excitement over the many pieces of watercolor art they had created. The instructor did a terrific job of posing thoughts and ideas to the children, but then allowing them to interpret for themselves which colors and brushstroke techniques would best reflect the thoughts and images they wanted to convey.
Equally intriguing for the children was a stroll through the museum’s paperweight and glass collections. They were fascinated by so much color and beauty, and were quite interested in the process of making paperweights. Did someone actually create by hand, these beautiful pieces of glass??! It was great to see the looks on their faces. A trip into the terrific gift shop ended our morning, and each came out with a small glass momento from their art adventure. A complete listing of class offerings can be found on the museum’s website: bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com . Choose ‘Classes/Events’.
We headed across the street afterward, bundled in snow pants, boots and mittens, to enjoy a winter bit of outside fun on the amazing Rocket playground located in Riverside Park. It had me thinking of all of the discoveries that could be made in just a few hours, at various times throughout the year, in the City of Neenah. We could park just once and by walking, enjoy the museum, Kimberly Point Lighthouse, lunch and playtime at Riverside Park, concerts at Shattuck Park or a jump in the park's interactive fountain – bring bathing suits and a towel for a totally wet and fun experience!, a stroll amongst the beautiful mansions, coffee or a meal in Neenah’s quaint downtown, and simply sitting alongside the marina, watching the sail boats come and go. For more information on things to do when visiting the City of Neenah, check out neenah.org. Choose ‘Events & Calendar’.
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The Inside Scoop on Wicked
Posted by Lynn Peters on 2/17/09 |
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I got to hear Steve Quinn, the company manager for "Wicked," talk about the show today. What a treat! Here are a few of the fun tidbits I learned:
1. 14 semi-trailer trucks were needed to haul the Wicked sets, props, etc. into Appleton. There was also another truckload of merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, etc.)
2. It took 3 days for the show to move into the Fox Cities PAC.
3. Cast and crew members are staying at several local hotels as well as a variety of rented apartments and homes. Several have purchased skates and are learning to skate on the rink in Jones Park near the PAC.
4. Some of the cast and crew members are traveling with pets. In fact, there are 7 dogs and 2 cats along for the ride.
5. The main character Elphaba is named after the author of "The Wizard of Oz," L. Frank Baum.
6. Their next stop is Portland.
7. They love the Fox Cities PAC because it's really designed for a contemporary production like this. Some of the other facilities they perform aren't nearly as good.
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Group Tickets at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
Posted by Tami Hoff on 2/11/09 |
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 Do you want to purchase great seats to a Broadway show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center well in advance of ticket sales to the general public? The staff at my office did exactly that by calling our friends at the PAC's Group Sales Office. We were able to get fantastic seats for Wicked by purchasing tickets as a group. We agreed on the date/time for a show, paid a 25% deposit, and that was it...our staff of 9 people were able to book 67 GREAT seats back in April 2008! (Ticket sales for the general public did not begin until December 2008). The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's Group Sales Office can be reached at 920-730-3786.
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A Romantic Table for Six???
Posted by Lynn Peters on 2/10/09 |
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It was supposed to be a typical Monday night dinner with the girls at Olive Garden. I expected to hear about Jean's trip, Mary's mom and Shari's new job.
I didn't anticipate that the power would go out 5 minutes after we arrived, leaving us in the pitch black for our entire visit. Nor did I think I'd be making a meal out of whatever the staff could safely serve at room temperature by the light of 3 tiny birthday candles and a cell phone.
Salad, breadsticks and cheesecake made the meal. (Happily in the dark no one could see how many breadsticks I ate!) However it was Alex, the waiter who charmingly served our meal, kept our tiny candles lit and prompted gales of laughter at our table who made it a truly memorable evening.
Visitors occasionally tell me how friendly people are in the Fox Cities. Last night reminded me how true that is. Alex and the rest of the staff at Olive Garden made us feel like special guests despite the circumstances. |
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Wicked Ticket Lottery
Posted by Lynn Peters on 2/6/09 |
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Have you heard about the lottery for "Wicked" tickets? It's an amazing thing. Before each performance of "Wicked" (except Feb. 6) you can go to the box office two-and-a-half hours before the show and put your name in the lottery drum. A half-hour later they'll draw several names and if yours is one of them, you'll be able to buy up to two tickets for $25 each. That's less than half the cost of the very, very cheapest ticket you could buy any other way. Take identification and cash, because you'll need both of them to participate.
The PAC staff tells us the interest in the lottery will grow as word spreads, so the earlier you go, the better your chances. "Wicked" runs from February 4-28. You'll find the details at www.foxcitiespac.com.
And thanks for reading our Fox Cities blog! |
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Mark's East Side Restaurant - Fish Fry Heaven!!!
Posted by Tami Hoff on 1/29/09 |
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My husband and his two brothers call themselves “fish fry connoisseurs." Going to a Friday night fish fry was a big tradition in their family. So, when all three brothers ended up living in Appleton (over 20 years ago), the search was on for the BEST fish fry in town. The search ended at Mark’s East Side Restaurant on East Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton, and it is still our family’s favorite Friday night fish fry spot. The “boys” adore the all you can eat haddock and piping hot French fries prepared by Chef Mark. The batter is very light – I love it too! The Hoff brothers will tell you the key to a good fish fry is the TARTAR SAUCE. Mark’s makes their own (secret recipe) tartar sauce and it is awesome.
Many times, we get a fish fry carry out order and enjoy our meal at home. Instead of ordering individually boxed fish fry dinners, we order our haddock by the piece. Then, we add several orders of French fries and (here is the BIG INSIDER TIP) we order a TUB of tartar sauce! The Hoff family motto is “You can never have too much tartar!” Enjoy!
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Neenah Clock Tower
Posted by Pam Seidl on 1/27/09 |
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| The Neenah clock tower is the only remnant of the former City Hall. Some local leaders recently began a restoration project and bricked-up windows have been re-opened and the clock face relit. It looks great and is especially pretty at night with the clock faces and windows aglow. Check it out at the interection of Commercial St. and Doty St. |
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Wicked Tickets Available
Posted by Lynn Peters on 1/26/09 |
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Tickets are still available for "Wicked" February 4-28 at the Fox Cities Performing Art Center, but they're going fast. According to PAC staff, the first and fourth weeks of the show have the best ticket availability. You'll find more info at www.foxcitiespac.com.
This is the Wisconsin premiere of "Wicked," so take advantage of it! |
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