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That Ol' Fox Cities Fishin' Hole
Posted by Lynn Peters on 9/2/08 |
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 Our community is urban and it's well known as "Wisconsin's Shopping Place," but there are a remarkable number of outdoor activities to do right here in town.
On Friday I had the opportunity to experience on of those things - I went perch fishing on Lake Winnebago. We put our boat in at Neenah's Rec Park, where the launch fee is $5. The water was calm, the temperature balmy, the sky was blue and there were lots of small boats out on the lake. We could see High Cliff State Park in Sherwood across the water. It was so nice that if our boat had been equipped with a restroom, I might have spent the whole weekend there!
While I could have lounged out there all day, we actually did a little fishing. We dangled our redworms just off the lake bottom and waited for hungry perch to appear. Our first "hot spot" turned out to be downright tepid, but the second one produced pretty many fish. Some were sheephead and not that edible, but we caught a number of perch too. Had we stayed longer, we'd have had enough for a Friday night fish fry.
Don't have a boat? There are lots of places in the Fox Cities where you can fish from the shore. I often see folks fishing from the Trestle Bridge in Menasha and Kimberly Point in Neenah. |
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Fox River Mall Insider Info
Posted by Pam Seidl on 8/28/08 |
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 The Fox River Mall has added some of the most desired stores in the country. Several existing stores have moved to new locations and Gap Kids will be returning in October. Here's an "insider" update from the mall:
New Stores
Coach
SunGlass Hut
Catherine's
Ridemaker'z
Club Libby Lu
Relocated Stores
Children's Place
Kirlin's Hallmark
Lane Bryant
Remodeled Stores
Gap
Things Remembered
Additionally, GapKids is coming back to the center with a late October opening.
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Looking for a hotel deal?
Posted by Pam Seidl on 8/18/08 |
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Pssst, best kept secret to finding some great hotel packages in the Fox Cities: right here on our website. From the "Hotlinks" on the home page, select "Great Lodging Specials." You won't find most of these online at other "deals" websites and you have to call the hotel directly (not the corporate 800#) to get the rate. It's worth the effort.
Recently added: some great family packages that include tickets to Funset Boulevard and The Building for Kids. Also, SHOPPING packages that include Fox River Mall gift cards. Perfect!
Here's a direct link to the specials: Fox Cities Hotel Deals. |
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Can you dig it?
Posted by Pam Seidl on 8/12/08 |
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The Fox Cities are home to many fun community events. In fact, if you can't find a community event during a summer weekend, you're not looking hard enough. Most events follow the formula of food, live music, arts & crafts, etc. And they're all great, if not completely unique.
Except for one. Quarry Quest. I would argue that Quarry Quest is one of the most unique events in the State. Each September, the Michiel's Materials Quarry in Neenah (yes, an active quarry) is opened to the public for one Saturday. Cranes, backhoes, bulldozers and all other kinds of "big diggers" are lined up with operators ready to let your kids drive ... yes, the kids get to WORK the crane, dump the dirt and handle the bulldozer (while supervised by an operator of course).
It's a dream come true for the Bob-the-Builder set. Beyond the machinery are activities as diverse as fishing, golfing and digging for fossils, as well as my favorite, bricklaying. Yup, line the kiddies up in aprons, eye protection and gloves and give them some real bricks and mortar and let them have at it.
Another hit: rock throwing. This is one event where throwing rocks is encouraged. Tires, garbage can lids, and even toilet seats are lined up for you to test your aim and arm.
Quarry Quest is September 13th this year. Wear your "mudders" and be prepared for one of the most unique events ever. More info is on the website: www.quarryquest.com. |
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It's Octoberfest Time
Posted by Lynn Peters on 8/11/08 |
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If you're a regular reader of our Fox Cities blog, you may already have put downtown Appleton's Octoberfest on your calendar. If not, I recommend that you immediately block off September 25, 26 and 27. Octoberfest warms up on Thursday the 25th with "Heritage Day," which includes brats, soft drinks and entertainment at Houdini Plaza. On Friday, there's a major car show called "License to Cruise" up and down College Avenue. This year being the 100th anniversary of the Model T, it's the featured car.
Saturday, September 27th is the biggest day, with 16 bands, dozens and dozens of food vendors, arts and crafts, a children's area and the occasional beer booth. Oh, and did I forget to mention . . . 100,000 or so of your closest friends? If they're not your friends yet, they may be after you've gnawed on "Tiger Paws" together!
Want all the details? First, check out . www.octoberfestonline.org. You'll find stage locations, band schedules and lots more. If the website doesn't answers to all your questions, call 920-734-3377.
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Fox Cities Trivia
Posted by Lynn Peters on 8/4/08 |
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Think you know a lot about the Fox Cities? Here’s a little trivia test for you.
1. What is the name of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' mascot?
2. Which of these statements best describes the Bergstrom-Mahler Art Museum in Neenah?
a)It has almost as many paperweights the Corning Glass Museum.
b)It houses the world's largest collection of glass paperweights.
c)It has world's largest collection of stained glass windows.
3. It’s often said that Houdini, who spent his childhood in Appleton, died on Halloween in a failed escape attempt. True or false?
Answers:
1. “Fang”
2. B
3. False, Houdini died on October 31, 1926, but he died of
peritonitis from a ruptured appendix.
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Kitchen Goodies
Posted by Lynn Peters on 7/28/08 |
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I need more kitchen gadgets like I need a hole in the head. My kitchen drawers are full to capacity and I’m not exactly a gifted cook, but still I can’t resist browsing around our two great kitchen shops. Although they’re both located near but not in the Fox River Mall, you may not yet have stumbled upon the Wire Whisk www.thewirewhisk.com. or Johnathan’s Cupboard www.johnathanscupboard.com.
If not, allow me to suggest a stop at one or both of them. They're packed to the gills with great stuff and, for reasons I can’t begin to explain, they make me want to buy kitchen gadgets. Pepper grinders, perfectly balanced knives, chef-quality pans, strawberry hullers and lemon zesters call my name . . . loudly. If I don’t keep my credit card firmly zipped in my purse I’m in trouble. Happily, both of these shops are great places to buy gifts for friends and family, and a fun place to shop for Christmas stocking stuffers. (Did I say the “C-word” in August? Sorry!)
Interestingly, both of these shops are located on Casaloma Drive, which runs along the west side of the Fox River Mall. The Wire Whisk is at 767 N. Casaloma Drive, across the street from Atlanta Bread Company. Johnathan’s Cupboard is cleverly hidden behind Johnathan’s Restaurant at 1920 N. Casaloma Drive, north of the mall near Fox Cities Stadium.
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Beyond the Mall
Posted by Lynn Peters on 7/23/08 |
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You know the Fox River Mall. It’s huge. In fact, the mall area has the largest concentration of retail shopping anywhere in the state of Wisconsin. I love, love, love the mall, but occasionally I’m looking for a different kind of shopping experience, so here are a few of my favorite non-mall shops.
1. Windows of Light. Located in downtown Appleton, this store actually has two names, “Windows of Light” and “Angels Forever.” I can’t explain it, but I can tell you that they have an astounding selection of silver jewelry. I could browse for hours.
2. Willows Bend. Eat your heart out Martha Stewart! Willows Bend is loaded with wonderful home interior stuff – glassware, placemats, napkins, furniture, rugs, etc. It’s located on College Avenue, 5 or 6 blocks west of Appleton’s downtown.
3. Bill Paul Ltd. You know me, I love a bargain. Bill Paul isn’t really a place for bargain shoppers. Wonderful high quality clothes, yes. Discount store prices, no. But I love to go in there and have to admit that I’ve gotten a few really great deals on the sales rack!
4. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum Shop. Their slogan does a good job of describing the merchandise, “Clearly Gorgeous Glass Gifts.” Plates, vases, paperweights, jewelry and more, with prices ranging from fifty cents to several thousand dollars, and all of it glass. It’s a great place to find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for friend.
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Bangers and Mash?
Posted by Lynn Peters on 7/15/08 |
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One might expect steak to be the top-rated item at a restaurant called “Beefeaters,” but instead it’s bangers and mash, jacket potatoes, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips. Beefeaters, located on Evergreen Drive, near the intersection of Hwy. 41 and Ballard Road, is Appleton’s version of a British pub.
There were six of us at Beefeaters on Monday night. The interior features lots of dark wood and stone, and there’s a nice little area for dining outdoors if you wish. Our waitress was unfailingly cheerful and sweet, although she was fairly new and not as knowledgeable about the entrees as I might have liked. Monday is British night, so all signature dishes were $1 off.
When the food came we were all happy. I had a moment of regret that I didn’t order the fish and chips, which looked and smelled positively yummy. The shepherd’s pie got rave reviews, as did the caramel apple salad. The portions were plenty generous.
You can find more details at www.beefeaterspub.com.
PS Still wondering about bangers and mash? It's a classic British dish featuring sausages, mashed potatotes and gravy. |
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Vacation in your own backyard
Posted by Kim Tisler on 7/9/08 |
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 For those of you who love the feel of a breeze coming off the water, the sand between your toes, or the sounds of island music in your ears, but who cannot afford a vacation in the tropics, look no further than a trip out to Waverly Beach in Menasha. Here you'll find Castaways Tiki Bar, complete with bamboo and palms, and terrific margaritas. This open air bar, on the shores of Lake Winnebago, is a great place to unwind. Tables with umbrellas are plentiful, and you can’t help but relax as you watch the boats on the water by day, or the moon reflecting off of the water by night. There’s always something going on. Tiki Madness is on Monday and Tuesday and offers $1.00 Miller Lite and Bud Light. Cheeseburger in Paradise offers $2.00 cheeseburgers, and you can often find live music playing there. If you love a Friday fish fry, plan to arrive early, because the tables are always taken, and no one is ever in a hurry to leave. A host of other ongoing events provide plenty of opportunity to simply relax and enjoy the hot summer days. |
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