Journey Through Wisconsin!
Spring 2014 $7.50 Little Wolf River Return to Peshtigo Flying Feather Apple Delights! Out of the Shadows
Spring Ephemerals Powers Bluff Park Wood County, WI Photo by Pete Sanderson (Uniquely Wisconsin, Pg. 28)
Focus Article 8 Apple Delights Casey’s Orchard
Stevens Point, WI
Table of Contents Spring 2014
Features 36 Little Wolf River Collaboration of Robert Rosen’s photos and Dan Holland’s poetry.
Regular Columns 4 Currents Ruth Faivre, Journey’s Editor, shares her thoughts on life’s twists and turns. “Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.” ~ Danny Kaye
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Flying Feather
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Day Trip’s columnists revisit one of their most popular stories- new photos and insights.
Denise Krause of Feathered Gold Stables shares equine tips and photos of her Gypsy Vanners.
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Return to Peshtigo
Uniquely Wisconsin The beauty of spring ephemerals By Pete Sanderson, MD, MBA
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Out of the Shadows Tips on attracting wildlife into the open.
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www.unitedfcs.com
Currents
Journey Through Wisconsin!
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A transplant, I was not raised in Wisconsin. I was born and schooled in Iowa; one of the three states I call the ‘trifecta’ of the Heartland, with the third state being Minnesota, where my daughter, Martina, lives with her husband and family. In 1983, my parents, Paul and Violet Kliegl, moved to Amherst, WI. My father assumed the ‘reins’ of the Tomorrow Valley Co-op and later strengthened his community bond by serving as Amherst’s Village President for ten years. On my first visit to Amherst, I fell in love with Wisconsin’s natural beauty and warm Midwestern residents. My favorite Amherst attraction was a wooded spot on the Tomorrow River, in a small park with a playground and baseball diamond on the east side of the Amherst Mill Street Bridge. Giant willows hung out over the river and a heavy rope hung from a massive branch so you could supposedly swing across the river (which I tried but fell into the river). Every year, my children and I made a beeline for that river sanctuary as shown above with my oldest sons, Dustin (left at four years old) and Casey (right at six years old). I vowed at that time to move to Wisconsin, which I finally did in 1994. Now, my youngest, Mike (shown below) is 23 years old. The Little Wolf River photo essay in this issue brought all those memories flooding back, reminding me how fast time flies and why it is so important to treasure every moment we can. 2014 is turning out to be a very wonderful year for me. Topping the launch of Journey was my marriage to Jim Faivre on Valentine’s Day; hence, the new last name and the start of a fresh ‘journey’ for us. Enjoy the season and please email me with your thoughts!
Print subscriptions for Journey make great gifts for loved ones and friends. CLICK HERE to order via credit card on our secure server (or go to the subscription link at www.journeywi.com). You can also call Ruth Faivre, (715) 347-3755, or print out and mail the subscription cards on page 56 in this issue. ======================================================
PUBLISHER, EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGN, PRODUCTION, CIRCULATION/WEB/AD MANAGER Ruth Faivre journey@journeywi.com www.journeywi.com 715-347-3755 Facebook.com/JourneyWI SALES Jim Faivre REGULAR COLUMNISTS Denise Krause, Pete Sanderson & Heather Kizewski ADVERTISER INDEX We are building a network of businesses committed to our area. Please consider supporting them. ADVERTISER B&B Paving Central Cities Credit Union Feathered Gold Stables Hidden Greenhouse & Nursery Pete Sanderson Photography Robert Rosen Photography Scaffidi Cars Scaffidi Trucks Ski’s Meat Market Todd Reilly United FCS
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Editor journey@journeywi.com www.journeywi.com Page 4
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“Overall, that is why we purchase vehicles from Scaffidi Motors. Their team always works hard to find the vehicle that fits our needs. From a pricing standpoint, they are very competitive,” states T.J. Kennedy, Heartland Farms.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Rich Dunn, Joe Ebben (Scaffidi Trucks), T.J. Kennedy, Kathy Staack (Scaffidi Motors), Carl Phillips & Wes Meddaugh with some of Heartland Farm’s trucks from Scaffidi.
Stevens Point, WI (888) 414-4629 Tomahawk, WI (866) 978-1347
Buds & Blooms Warm Weather Beauty! Photos by Helen Rose By Ruth Faivre, Editor
Renaissance! Our spirits soar as finally, after an extreme winter, Spring brings a true revival of spirit and hope for the return of Mother Nature’s green thumb. Helen Rose, one of our readers and my aunt, who is in her 70’s, took these glorious photos of some of the flowers we can expect to see in the coming months (Oriental lilies above and bleeding hearts below). Journey will be featuring readers’ photographs in the issues to come. If you wish your photos considered for publication, please email journey@journeywi.com. Send a low-res digital version. If we like it, we will request a large format. Happy shooting! Page 6
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Old World Charm Taste beyond compare!
Ski’s is an experience, not just shopping. The minute you walk into Ski’s, you know you are somewhere very special. At family owned and operated Ski’s, quality knows no bounds and you receive only the freshest, finest meats, seafood, 100+ Wisconsin cheeses, Boar’s Head deli products and other treats. Savor Ski’s famously delicious homemade brats and sausages and the most tender beef, pork and chicken, cut by our expert butchers. New, in-season seafood refreshed daily – from salmon, halibut and cod to crab legs and lobster! We offer Wisconsin’s finest artisan and master cheese makers with ‘squeaky fresh’ cheese curds on Friday and Saturday. Visit us soon for your good, old-fashioned, neighborly meat market experience!
5370 US Highway 10 E Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 344-8484 www.skismeatmarket.com Mon-Fri: 10am–6pm Sat: 9am–6pm Sun: 10am–4pm
Little Wolf River Photos by Robert Rosen Poetry by Dan Holland
Naively unseeing, the most splendid areas can appear directly in our path and we ignore them, seeking more spectacular attractions. The Little Wolf River is just such a place, invisible to busy travelers, yet on closer approach, it reveals impressive beauty. A much tamer tributary of the Wolf River, the Little Wolf River originates near Galloway, SE Marathon County. Flowing through Waupaca County’s forests and farmlands, beginning near Harrison on through Big Falls and Manawa, it meanders past Royalton, eventually converging into the Wolf River in eastern Waupaca County. Pleasantly semi-wild, Little Wolf River includes long peaceful sections with slower currents, small pools, Class 1 rapids, a ‘rollercoaster’ of lesser flat water riffles, boulders galore, full of turtles, frogs, fish and other wildlife. Page 8
Wooded and bushy banks supplanted by grassy and herbaceous vegetation offer breathtaking scenic beauty with incredible recreational opportunities such as fishing (especially trout), tubing, kayaking and canoeing. Award-winning photographer Robert Rosen and naturalist poet Dan Holland collaborate in this gorgeous Poetography* vignette, to capture the essence of the Little Wolf River, a wondrous gem hidden deep in the heart of Wisconsin. Robert scouted many locations to shoot these photos but finally chose public lands off Ness Road near Northland with several photos taken from the Ness Bridge. * Poetography is an emerging art that merges poetry with photography to create dynamic and visually exciting narratives appealing to a wide range of people. Google the term, ‘Poetography’ and you will find all sorts of listings, including sites for galleries and an organization, www.poetography.org. (Continued on Pages 9-15)
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Soul of the River I have spent My entire lifetime seeking to know what is in my soul; some things revealed to me in my poetry.
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I have spent my entire lifetime seeking to know what is in the soul of the river,
Never comprehending it, never regretting that it won’t reveal that which I most desire;
Yet I keep returning to the river because I know that, even in my ignorance, I am in the presence of the most sublime of mysteries.
Journey-Spring 2014
Each River Each river is a miracle to be respected, to be revered, to be treasured.
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Each river is a gift to be protected, to be preserved, to be passed on unsullied to those who follow us.
Each river is a vital living entity; to celebrate rivers is to celebrate life itself!
Journey-Spring 2014
Their Words, Not Mine The Little Wolf glides over rocks “from the basement of time”* I stare in wonder, waiting for the words. In time they arrive, with single theme: “You are mortal, only we— the rocks and the river— are immortal; commanding your reverence.” *Norman Maclean “A River Runs through It”
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Beyond Here & Now Standing upon a rusting bridge, I gaze in wonder at the river rushing beneath me,
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Let my mind merge with its eternal flow, forgetting the world of woes,
Giving myself up completely to a heartbreaking beauty to endure as long as there are hearts to break.
Journey-Spring 2014
So It Is Here A place known so well. The Little Wolf slipping away amid moss-covered boulders, the signs of autumn everywhere: leaves of crimson and amber already beginning to renew the endless cycle-turning from life, to death, then back to life again; so it is here, amid the eternal, we discover fleeting moments of inexpressible joy! Page 13
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Behind the Scenes Robert Rosen, Photographer www.robertrosenphotography.com robert@robertrosenphotography.com (715) 344-8469 Professor of percussion at UWSP for twenty-seven years, Robert retired as professor emeritus in 2011. His interest in photography emerged in 2000 when the UWSP music building in which he worked, was demolished. He documented the demolition process through photos and soon found himself viewing the debris and equipment in a sculptural manner. He bought a new camera and lenses and never looked back.
Photography awards and special events include Juror’s Choice Award at Visions XIII (2011) and Visions XIV (2012), Riverfront Arts Center, Stevens Point, Rising Mill Art Shows (Nelsonville), Arts Night (Stevens Point) and Festival of the Arts (Stevens Point). Robert’s work is available at the Gallery Q (Stevens Point), Riverfront Arts Center (Stevens Point) and Tomorrow River Gallery (Amherst). In 2013, he collaborated with poet Dan Holland to present “Soul of the River,” a celebration of the Little Wolf River at Tomorrow River Gallery. This winter he joined fellow photographer John Morser and light sculptor Paul Klein in “Lightscapes,” a show at Gallery Q (Stevens Point). According to Rosen, “For me, creating photographs is like improvising music. I work with available light responding in the moment to the shapes, shading and colors that I encounter. I print my own images up to 44-inches wide on my wide format printer using archival pigment ink on archival paper.
Much of Robert’s photography reflects his interests as an active hiker and climber in the Western U.S and throughout Wisconsin.
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Dan Holland, Naturalist Poet my.coredcs.com/~dholland dholland@coredcs.com 715-344-0336 Rivers hold a special fascination for Dan Holland and are a frequent subject of his poetry. Dan has written naturalist poetry since 1957. He attributes his early involvement to his grandmother, who loved to read, particularly poetry collections. Born in Rochester, MN, Dan received his BA from Kenyon College, MA from University of Chicago and PhD from American University. He served as a college professor, educational consultant, human services administrator and small business owner. Dan concurs with a statement made by Harriet Monroe, founder of Poetry magazine in a circular sent to poets, declaring * that poetry as an art form, is "the highest, most complete human expression of truth and beauty ." Currently, a published author of poetry and historical and contemporary fiction, Dan’s works include: Saga of Hughes Creek and Drawdown. He also maintains a Poem du Jour website, is a strong advocate of poetry and is available for poetry events. *
Monroe, Harriet. Quoted in Goodyear, Dana. "The Moneyed Muse: What can Two Hundred Million Dollars Do for Poetry?" The New Yorker, February 19, 2007, www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/02/19/070219fa_fact_goodyear.
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The Power of Water Flowing water generates electricity, propel canoes, pirates away the residue of summer’s blooming... perhaps its greatest power: an infinite capacity to carry our minds to places we never dreamed we’d go. Journey-Spring 2014
Robert Rosen Photography Display the stunning beauty of Robert Rosen’s award-winning photography on your own walls in a wide variety of sizes. View Rosen’s photography at Gallery Q, downtown Stevens Point or on his website: robertrosenphotography.com. You can also contact him directly to arrange a personal tour of his studio in Plover, WI. Plover, WI (715) 344-8469 robertrosenphotography.com
robert@robertrosenphotography.com
“Inside Locomotive No. 2713” Stevens Point, WI
“Morning View from the Top” Big Pryor Mountain, MT
MAJESTIC ICONS Captured In All Their Glory Few things are as grand as an old barn. Often, these statuesque historic relics of our agrarian lifestyle are stranded, quietly marking time, existing perhaps far longer than originally projected; held together with ancestral blood, sweat and tears. Yet, to most of us, they hold wonderful memories of a simpler age, often built in a barnraising get-together, then filled with livestock, hay, grains, tools and equipment; full of richly earthy odors lasting through the decades and ensuing centuries. However, they are not without love. Deep in the hearts of all farmers and urban dwellers is a basic admiration of these stately beauties.
ENJOY 16 MONTHS OF BARNS IN THIS FANTASTIC CALENDAR! ALSO AVAILABLE: 2000 LENCO SELF PROPELLED AIRHEAD POTATO HARVESTER - 1:42 SCALE DIECAST COLLECTIBLE
Only 1,000 produced and sold exclusively by 2014 Portage County Farm Technology Days. Order your very own, which includes Lenco literature and commemorative package. Model dimensions: 11.25” x 6.25” x 3.875”.
PROCEEDS SUPPORT PORTAGE COUNTY FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS 2014 FAMILY LIVING COMMITTEE Photos of over 50 rural Wisconsin barns. Great gift for holidays, special occasions, birthdays, or just for you!
Online Order Form for the 16 Month Barn Calendar & Lenco Collectible: www.portagecountyfarmtech.com/online_store.php Page 17
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Apple Delights! Casey’s Orchard Stevens Point, WI
By Ruth Faivre, Editor
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“I stand holding the apple in both hands. It feels precious, like a heavy treasure. I lift it up and smell it. It has such an odor of outdoors that I want to cry.” ~Margaret Atwood
No matter what the season, an apple orchard is a glorious place full of earthy fragrance, birds, bees, thick grass and delicious, heavenly fruit that hangs from the trees in mottled and solid reds, yellows, greens, oranges and wines! Casey’s Orchard in Stevens Point, WI, owned by Casey and Marcia Janowski, is a perfect example of this, a wooded rural gem smack in the middle of Portage County potato country. From their distinctive ‘apple bite’ sign to their homey country store full of produce and related goods, this orchard is a landmark attraction, drawing a steady flow of people from near and far, every Autumn. OVER FOUR DECADES According to Casey, “My father and I planted our first apple trees on this 6-1/2 acre property in 1968. Today, the orchard harbors 550 apple trees that produce 26 different varieties of apples, which we sell by the peck, pound or bushel.” (Continued on Page 20) Opposite Page: Related to the rose, an apple tree’s heavily honeysuckle-scented blossoms are a glorious harbinger of Spring. Their strong fragrance attracts bees, which pollinate its flowers. Above: Color alone will not tell you if an apple is ready to eat. Check the skin to see if it is smooth and reasonably bruise-free but do not pinch it or you may bruise it. Middle: It is hard to miss the Casey’s Orchard sign. Bottom: The front of the Casey’s Orchard retail store is open to visitors.
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“From the early days, we worked hard to amend the soil here and create a climate most favorable to producing the best possible fruit while maintaining a balance with the rest of the environment,” says Casey. “The trees are somewhat of an extended family to us as we watched them thrive and sometimes suffer. One of our biggest challenges remains helping them withstand Wisconsin’s winters.” MOTHER NATURE’S FICKLENESS A late frost and severe drought decimated Wisconsin’s 2012 apple harvest. Wisconsin Apple Growers Association reported that many orchards endured near-total apple crop failures and others garnered one-third to one-eighth of their normal crop. Meanwhile, Fall 2013 ushered in a unique but welcome scenario with apples rebounding in both quantity and the proportion of Wisconsin's 300 apple varieties thriving at orchards. (Continued on Page 21) Above: Casey’s Orchard is full of the most amazingly gnarled trees, taking shapes that remind one of a scene from a Lord of the Rings movie or The Wizard of Oz’s Enchanted Forest. Middle: This apple variety produces golden fruit with hints of green and darker gold. Bottom: Apple trees of all shapes and sizes yield a veritable rainbow of red, green, yellow, orange and wine colors.
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Marcia explains their 2013 crop situation, “What an improvement over 2012! We had one of the biggest crops so far, a real record breaker.” “Normally, we sell out of apples in the fall but we hit a warm spell in October and November and people opted to boat, fish or simply enjoy the weather.” “Since homeowners' trees were also loaded with apples, people were giving apples away right and left.” Casey continues, “Before 2014, our apples were always gone by February. We will still be selling them until the end of March and remain open 9-5, seven days a week. Luckily, apples keep in storage for quite some time.” The other problem Casey experienced is that apple trees require pruning annually, while they are still dormant, which in Wisconsin, is usually January through March. (Continued on Page 22) th
Above: Casey’s Orchard enjoys its 46 year, having been founded by Casey and his father, Frank, in 1968. Middle: There is nothing finer than gently swaying in a hammock under the canopy of an apple orchard and reading a good book. Something about an orchard renews your spirit and refreshes your mind. Bottom: Apples are dubbed the ‘King’ of all fruits because of their many virtues such as beauty, juicy taste ranging from sour to sweet, fine fragrance, climate versatility, full gamut of cooking choices and excellent storage qualities.
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Pruning for the 2014 season was a real challenge for Casey with the vast amount of snow and the sub-zero weather. RISK FACTORS Casey says the orchard is fortunate enough to have developed a loyal following of satisfied customers over the years who return annually, even from other states. He describes it as “more like a gathering of friends.” “We believe our customers come back time and time again not only because we are local, they know we strive for the best quality possible. We work closely with many industry associations to find new ways to improve our land and operations while enhancing the environment.” Located at 2829 Burbank Rd, Stevens Point, (715-344-6814), Casey’s Orchard regular hours are open Labor Day through Fall season from 9am-6pm (seven days a week) and then in October from 9am-5pm daily. Beyond the 26 apple varieties, they offer their own gooey caramel apples (an area favorite), luscious apple cider, honey, jams and jellies, maple syrup, pumpkins and other produce in season (no pick-your-own). Top: Casey and Marcia both hope “everyone enjoys the ‘fruits of our labor’ when visiting our market.” Together, they make a great team, working with the orchard and customers for decades. Bottom: Beautiful bushel baskets full of apples and other produce adorn their market shelves in a riot of color.
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NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL! SATISFYING PAVING NEEDS ACROSS CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Residential Agricultural Commercial EVEN Railroads!
B&B Paving Co., owned by Jim & Marilyn Benjamin, earns many new customers via current customer referrals. Our work stands the test of time and the heaviest loads, whether they are simply pedestrians or fully loaded semis and trains! “We get the job done right the first time, every time!” EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, REASONABLE RATES & FREE ESTIMATES! SITE PREPARATION ASPHALT PAVING PARKING LOT, DRIVEWAY, PATIO & WALKWAY PAVING ON-SITE PULVERIZING PAVEMENT REMOVAL & RECYCLING (We can even recycle your existing driveway in place.) ASPHALT REPAIR
James & Marilyn Benjamin 6817 Johnnies Lane Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 592-4775
Flying Feather* Regular Column and Photos by Denise Krause, Owner, Feathered Gold Stables, www.featheredgold.com
PREPARING FOR A FOAL’S BIRTH Preparing for the arrival of a new foal is an exciting and daunting prospect for most owners and always a major focus for us. Fortunately, Mother Nature takes her course and the majority of foalings occur with minimal or no complications. Preparation is a key component of foaling management, in easing the birth process on the mare and making life a little easier on those who will assist. Initially, owners can ensure proper care and nutrition of the mare during her pregnancy. This includes providing adequate food, exercise and keeping current on vaccinations and deworming, (mares should be current on all vaccinations before breeding). During pregnancy, mares should receive Rhino pneumonitis vaccine (Pneumobort-K+1B) at five, seven and nine months and boosters for EEE/WEE/tetanus/ influenza and West Nile one month before their due date. Keep mares on a regular deworming schedule, receiving a deworming dose one month before the due date. Familiarize a foaling mare with her foaling environment and any night attendants one or two weeks prior to the day of expected birth, so she will feel comfortable when it is time to give birth. If you introduce unknown factors such as environment or night attendants unexpectedly, the mare may delay foaling until she is relaxed with her environment. This foaling area should be clean and dry with room for the mare to lie down and eight” to 10” thick bed of straw. This is preferable to shavings but either is better than plain dirt. Straw cuts down on dust, decreases chance for infection and is easier to clean off the mare and foal. (Continued on Page 25) Top: Feathered Gold Eloquence aka Ellie takes a quick break. Middle: Finesse shows off her playful side. Bottom: “Come on, Denise, can’t we drive?” (Denise Krause, shown in her JD Gator.) *Feather is the flowing hair on Gypsy Vanners’ legs
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If the mare will foal in the pasture, make sure the area is dry, with plenty of grass. A reasonably quiet area will help calm the mare and ease foaling. Use a small flashlight instead of barn lighting, turned off and on, to monitor the mare's position. An alternative for constant nighttime observation is to use a dim light in the stall, just bright enough to see the mare.
Around one to four days before foaling, the muscles of the croup and vulva relax and the teats will wax (small droplets of milk appear on the ends of the teats). Some mares may also drip milk. Special test strips are available to measure electrolyte concentrations in the milk. Calcium levels will usually increase 24 hours before birthing. PREPARATION
Also, observe the mare from outside the foaling area. A foaling camera strategically placed over the mare’s stall, is the perfect strategy. Typically, a mare will show certain signs that she is ready to give birth, but prepare for surprises. The mare’s udder usually begins filling two to four weeks prior to foaling. Some mares develop swelling/edema along the midline. The teats distend about four to six days before foaling. Above: A Gypsy Vanner mare just gave birth to her new little darling!
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Take these steps to prepare the mare when you think she is getting ready to give birth: 1. Keep the birthing area clean. 2. Wash the mare’s vulva and teats with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly. 3. Wrap the mare’s tail with a clean wrap when you witness the first stage of delivery. (Continued on Page 26)
Journey Spring 2014
THREE STAGES OF LABOR IN THE MARE: 1. UTERINE CONTRACTIONS BEGIN. This stage may vary, usually from 1-3 hours. The mare may act uncomfortable, get up, lie down or roll several times to position the foal properly. Fetal membranes may be visible at the vulva. 2. RUPTURE OF FETAL MEMBRANES. This is when the mare actually gives birth to the foal. It should last no more than 20-30 minutes. Normal foal presentation begins with the front feet first, soles down, followed by nose, head, neck and shoulders. If you suspect any discrepancy from this presentation, or after 10 minutes of strenuous labor, there is no sign of the foal, you should call your veterinarian. In addition, if fetal membranes are dark red instead of the normal white/clear fetal membranes, this is a ‘red bag delivery.’ Membranes are prematurely separating and disconnecting the foal from its oxygen supply. You need to cut the membranes and deliver the foal as quickly as possible. Call your veterinarian immediately. 3. EXPULSION OF THE PLACENTA. Expulsion should occur 1-3 hours after the foal’s delivery. The mare may become uncomfortable again and lie down to pass the placenta. If the mare does not pass the placenta, call the veterinarian as a retained placenta can cause serious medical problems. After the mare has passed the placenta, remove as quickly as possible to prevent it from being stepped on. Place in a safe place for later examination by a veterinarian. During the warmer months, it is best to put it in a cool dark place, preferably in a bucket of water to decrease the smell.
A veterinarian should examine the new foal 12-24 hours after birth to detect any potential problems early. A blood test conducted during this period can assess whether your foal has absorbed adequate colostrum. Remember, failure to nurse adequately during the first hours of life can be potentially fatal to your foal. Watch carefully, and call your veterinarian with any concerns. Following the birth, monitor the mare for the next several days. She should eat, drink and pass manure normally. If the mare does not appear relatively normal or continues to have pain after passing the placenta, call your veterinarian as mares can occasionally become sick or get colic after giving birth. Most mares give birth with no complications, but with a little knowledge and preplanning, any owner can be prepared to help their mare should any problems arise. Top: Feathered Gold Gabriel and his mom, SRS Seraphim display the wide variation in Gypsy Vanner coloration. Middle: Full of pep, Feathered Gold Legendary runs full speed ahead. Bottom: Hemi, Destiny and Clara out for some fun in the sun.
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Imagine owning your own Gypsy Vanner‌ En joy t he ir be aut y and gr a ce at hom e and i n t he r i ng !
Derek & Denise Krause Ogdensburg, WI info@featheredgold.com www.featheredgold.com
(715) 445-5345
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Pete Sanderson
Uniquely Wisconsin Spring Ephemerals By Pete Sanderson, MD, MBA
Faith of the Ephemeral For as long and hard our winter has been, we always kept faith, spring would begin. Gradually the sun rose higher, warming the earth with its fire. Over our landscape its warm glow, would soon vanquish the snow. Winter’s moisture now released, bathing trees yet to be leafed. Providing the yearly wherewithal so necessary for the ephemeral. Warmth, light and moisture so fleeting no time to waste before the leafing. Spring’s resurgence will signal its next emergence. In this, we have faith: after winter’s long embrace the ephemeral will always show its face.
By Pete Sanderson Page 30
PAGES 28-29: Top: Powers Bluffs County Park (Wood County) bursts into an astonishing display of ephemeral wildflowers at the first sign of spring. Wisconsin designated Powers Bluff as a State Natural Area because of its unique plant community.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Top: Trilliums quickly vanish (hence the term ephemeral) within the undergrowth of the forest floor after covering the ground with their spectacular beauty. Bellwort (yellow flowers at far left), is a member of the Lily family. Like many plants at Powers Bluff, Native Americans used it to treat various medical ailments. Bottom Left: Wild geraniums in pink and purple shades, like the ones shown here, spread sporadically amongst the trilliums.
THIS PAGE RIGHT: Right: Bloodroot grows near the ground seeking the earth’s warm protection from cold spring winds. Its leaves wrap around the flower providing extra protection. Red roots ooze red liquid sap when severed, which Native Americans used as a colorant for baskets, clothing, weapons, tools and even war paint! (Continued on Page 32)
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NATIVE SPRING EPHEMERALS Powers Bluff County Park, perched atop a hill of quartzite west of Arpin, WI, is a rich forest full of sugar maple, yellow birch, ash, hickory and basswood. It was designated a State Natural Area due to its distinctive plant community, especially the Spring ephemerals carpeting the area. Spring ephemerals are early blooming, short-lived wildflowers that grow before trees leaf out, blocking the sun. These beauties’ growth and reproduction phases (blooming, producing seed and withering back underground), occurs within a very short two-month period. Powers Bluff features one of the most spectacularly extravagant panoramas of tens of thousands of giant trilliums you will ever find. Trillium’s name derives from its showy white, three-petal blossoms (turning pink with age) and leaves, petals and sepals which occur in threes), reminding some of Easter and the Trinity. (Continued on Page 33) Above: Spring Beauties cover wooded areas in pink and white patches. These short statured plants grow from tubers beneath the ground. Left: Dutchman’s breeches’ uniquely distinctive creamy white flowers resemble floral pantaloons. Ants transport the seeds back to their nest and eat the fleshy seed coat. The seed is protected in anthill debris until it germinates.
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ALL IN THE DETAILS If you kneel close to the ground at the edge of these vast expanses of trilliums, you can visibly discern various stages of development. Trilliums exhibit tiny single-leaved plants in their first year, followed up to three-inch, three-leaved plants without blossoms and then to blossom-producing plants in several sizes, occasionally reaching over 20-inches high. It takes seven long years for a trillium to journey from seed to flower. Their blossoms age from white to pink. The front cover of this issue of Journey showcases a close-up of one of my single trillium photos, complete with a tiny insect near the flower’s center. (Continued on Page 34) Above: Spring Beauties’ pinkish-white, five-petal flowers serve as gorgeous bits of eye candy as they emerge from hibernation. These herbaceous perennials also known as ‘fairy spuds’ (rather fitting for potato country) open on two-inch stalks, unwinding with up to 12 flowers per stalk. Right: A field of Wild Lupines with their dense floral spikes, creates an amazing spectacle. Members of the pea family, Wild Lupines help fix nitrogen in soil. Foliage resembles palm leaves with seven to ten leaflet segments.
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A Potawatomi Native American tribe inhabited Powers Bluff (originally named Tah-qua-kik) until the 1930s. Due to their religious and ceremonial activities, Tah-qua-kik is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and its Indian dance rings and burial grounds are preserved. Interestingly enough, since most of the Spring ephemerals at Powers Bluff have medicinal and edible qualities, the Indians most probably cultivated and protected them, aiding in their development. Many of the flowers or roots were cooked or eaten raw with leaves used fresh or dried to make teas, often used medicinally to treat fevers, fainting, ulcers, tumors and swollen glands. Crushed bulbs were applied to minor wounds to reduce swelling and promote healing. Some ephemerals were used as a diuretic, emollient, stimulant, emetic and even a contraceptive. (Continued on Page 35) Above: A sweetly fragrant native perennial with almost white, long lasting showy blooms and lance-shaped leaves, Wood Phlox forms spreads rapidly in large drifts that drive butterflies wild. Left: The White Trout Lily, whose mottled foliage purportedly resembles a brook trout, produces large colonies if left undisturbed, propagating from bulbs that burrow deep into the ground, sending out horizontal shoots. Attractive flowers are star-shaped with curled petals, giving an impression of a beautifully dressed lady, who is bowing.
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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP Spring ephemerals’ emerge approximately when insects awake or return, providing a vital food source when little else is available. In turn, these insects, particularly bees and ants, help pollinate the flowers and spread the seeds. Powers Bluff’s rich botanical diversity and proliferation of wildflowers and wildlife, makes it a site well worth visiting as well as protecting and treasuring for future generations to enjoy. I am constantly seeking wonderful places to photograph. Please feel free to alert me to areas that you consider 'Uniquely Wisconsin’ or email comments to me.
Peter A Sanderson pete.sanderson@ministryhealth.org For more images, visit my blog, http://mdleader.wordpress.com Above: Mill creek plays host to Wintercress with deep yellow blooms, rich in vitamins A and C. Before vitamin C became readily available, Wintercress was used to treat scurvy. Right: Showy, dark-green Marsh Marigolds resembling a giant buttercup, flourish near this stream. Marsh Marigold, abundant in marshes, wet meadows and water banks, forms large tufts or masses.
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SPRING 2014 FEATURED PRINT Spring Ephemerals Powers Bluff Park
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Day Trips By Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla EDITOR’S NOTE: Day Trips wrote an article about the October 8, 1871 Peshtigo Fire for Neighbor’s April 2011 (pgs. 20-27) issue. Peshtigo’s story is compelling enough to warrant another article. Historically, it is a very important part of Wisconsin’s past. This new article is graphic with a collection of many eyewitness accounts. Parents should review before letting children read it.
RETURN TO PESHTIGO A RECORD OF EVENTS It was as though the animals of Peshtigo knew something the townspeople did not.
Above (L-R): Sisters-in-law, Ann Marie Worzalla, Heather Kizewski with Bob Couvillion, Peshtigo historian. WELCOME TO DAY TRIPS! Inspired by an authentic passion for travel, each issue, we share a unique adventure accomplished in one day; no overnight bags required. We are sisters-in-law from Stevens Point and Amherst, whose families are involved in potato farming, so we are firmly entrenched in Central Wisconsin. For more than eight years, we have ventured forth in search of unique destinations. It is amazing how far you do not have to go to experience the moments we often seek in faraway lands. We hope to spark your wheels into motion. You are only a day trip away! SPECIAL NOTE: Click to go to Day Trips’ Facebook page
Survivors describe a pack of self-herded house cats scrambling along Oconto Avenue as if prodded by ghosts.
Father Pernin, Peshtigo and Marinette’s parish priest, whose churches burned to the ground, recalled his pet bird flailing and beating its wings, desperately rattling the bars of its cage, uttering shrill notes of alarm.
A deer randomly stumbled into the road and stood without blinking. Loose dogs that normally would have barked and chased after the deer crouched at its feet without a whimper.
Father Pernin wrote a dramatic, first-hand account to help alleviate his memories. He was quite heroic but suffered emotionally after the fire.
Top Left: Identifiable Peshtigo Fire victims and survivors are buried in the Peshtigo Cemetery while a mass grave (shown here) holds remains of 350 unidentified victims.
Below: The Peshtigo Fire Museum’s huge mural depicts the Peshtigo fire, America’s most disastrous forest fire. It burnt over one million acres, killing 800 persons in Peshtigo alone and several hundred more in surrounding areas.
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THE SOUND OF SILENCE By eight p.m., the air was heavy and oppressive. An unnatural calm and eerie silence reigned in the atmosphere. Most people went about their Sunday evening routines as usual. Haunted by unshakable restlessness and a looming sense of undefined anxiety, Father Pernin began digging a trench in the sandy soils of his garden. It was during this time he once again began having audible visions of the impending horror that awaited the town of Peshtigo, just as he did day the prior. Although several neighbors laughed while watching him dig, Mrs. Tyler stopped and asked if he felt they were in danger.
“The sound of an angel heralding the end of the world, blasting gusts of fire from his horn.”
He replied, “I do not know, but I have unpleasant presentiments and feel myself impelled to prepare for trouble.” Without giving reason, he advised her that in the event of a fire, to seek the river at once.
“Like the devil had opened his mouth with a deafening, persistent roar that never stopped.”
After digging the trench, he placed within it his trunks, books, church ornaments and other valuables and then covered the hole with sand.
“Like a thousand locomotives rushing at full speed.”
END OF THE WORLD Survivors would never forget the sound, “The sound of judgment,” some said.
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“It was just as if the wind were a breath of fire.”
(Continued on Page 40) Top: Esquire Magazine commissioned this painting rendered by famous expressionist Gustav Rehberger for a 1952 article discussing how Peshtigo’s world turned to fire. Below: Radiant sunbeams stream through the trees, illuminating the Peshtigo Cemetery (the Peshtigo Fire Museum is at left in the background).
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T
WITNESSING HELL Sixteen-year-old Helga Rockstead tried desperately to outrun the flames with her long, waist-length hair streaming out behind her. Within seconds, her hair caught fire and survivors watched in horror as her head burst into flames and Helga was wrapped in a sheet of fire.
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Survivors describe large black objects resembling balloons hurtling from the sky, as if shot from cannons. These objects revolved rapidly above treetops and homes; then, in the same moment, burst like a bomb with rivulets of fire streaming in all directions. “Faster than it takes to write these words,” is the phrase many survivors used to describe the speed of fireballs hitting homes, engulfing them in flames. They also used it to describe how fast one house, “was lifted from its foundation and thrown through the air, detonating midflight, sending strips of flaming wood flying like shrapnel.”
“Take wet blankets and run,” Tom Williamson told his mother. Maggie Williamson did not want to be separated from her son, but he shouted at her, “Mother, there’s nothing I can do. Save yourself!” Wrapped in a wet blanket, Maggie went outside and saw everything was ablaze. She noticed something raining down and she first thought it was hail. It was not hail. It was chunks of burning coals, pelting people and houses, instantly igniting them. No one could help. The fire vortex swept out of control, incinerating everything in its path. People scurried blindly towards the river, their only hope for survival. Top Left & Below: The Peshtigo Fire Museum features many detailed period exhibits created from items donated by survivors and community members that reflect Peshtigo before the fire, the fire itself and the years following. (Continued on Page 41)
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FALSE HOPE \ Natural instinct prompted many to run towards the river for safety and solace, but when they arrived, a completely new horror awaited them. Wild flames roared through the air above the river, even burning floating logs, which became sparkling missiles, pummeling people and panicking livestock. While many survivors escaped death by immersing themselves in the river, wells or other bodies of water, some boiled to death while ironically, others lost their lives to hypothermia in the freezing cold waters. Frantic cattle stampeded to death a group of people who found refuge in a shallow stream. Father Pernin’s encounter of the river is as follows: “Once in water up to our necks, I thought we would at least be safe from fire, but it was not so; the flames darted over the river as they did over land; the air was full of them, or rather the air itself was on fire. Our heads were in continual danger. It was only through constantly throwing water over our faces and beating the river with our hands that we kept the flames at bay.
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(Continued on Page 42) Above & Bottom: The Peshtigo Fire Museum is a treasure trove of antiquities, two stories full of items from the fire and area history. Two of the museum’s volunteers are pictured below.
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At the moment I was entering the river, another woman, terrified and breathless, reached its bank. Leading one child by the hand and what appeared to be another pressed to her chest in a roll of disordered linen, which was evidently caught up in haste. Oh, horror! On opening these wraps to look on the face of her child, it was not there. It must have slipped from her grasp in her hurried flight. No words could portray the look of stupor, of desolation that flitted across the poor mother’s face.” BEATING THE ODDS In the river, Father Pernin saw more than a dozen cows. They succeeded in saving their own lives and in some cases, the lives of others. In Father Pernin’s words: (Continued from Page 41)
Clothing and quilts had been thrown into the river, to save them, no doubt, and they were floating all around. I caught some that came within reach and covered the heads of the persons leaning against or clinging to me. These wraps dried quickly in the furnace-like heat and caught fire whenever we ceased sprinkling them.
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“Not far from me, a woman was supporting herself in the water by means of log. After a time a cow swam past; it overturned in its passage the log to which the woman was clinging and she disappeared into the water.” (Continued on Page 43) Top: Two young black females were seen in the boarding house kitchen before the fire, but were not found afterwards. Presumably, they perished in the fire. Bottom: The museum features several glass cases filled with items from the fire, each carefully labeled with a description of its connection with the fire or town.
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How long she remained in this critical position I know not, but I was told later that the animal had swam to shore, bearing its human burden to safety. What threatened to bring destruction to the woman had proved the means of her salvation.” UNSPEAKABLE AFTERMATH There was no recognizable road and visibility was limited through the debris and smoking ruins. People’s shoes were burned off and in many places the ground was still too seared for walking. Many were blind and/or severely burned. Luther Noyes, who believed he had seen the worst of human carnage at the Battle of Cold Harbor during the Civil War, was speechless at the sight of charred body parts and ash that had once been human beings. “No pen dipped in liquid fire can begin to describe, can paint the scene – language ‘in thoughts that breathe and words that burn,’ gives but the faintest impression of its horrors.” THEORY VERSUS REALITY There have been several theories surrounding the cause of The Peshtigo Fire. Coincidentally, The Great Chicago Fire – the most famous inferno in history -happened the same night at around the same time. In addition, The Great Michigan Fire, a series of three deadly firestorms affecting Manistee, Holland and Port Huron also occurred that very evening. A cow kicking over a lantern; sparks from a train; lightning; comets and meteor showers are examples of some of the speculations that have been offered. Yet, the cause of these fires was achingly mundane. TRUTH The summer and fall of 1871 had seen one of the worst droughts in the history of the Midwest. (Continued on Page 44) All Photos This Page: Grave markers in the Peshtigo Cemetery, document stories about the people who died in the fire or their survivors who were buried there after their deaths, to rejoin their lost loved ones. The stories are very emotional but convey the full horror of that terrible fire.
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Farmers cleared hardwood growth for crops using ‘slash and burn’ methods, contributing to the fires in Wisconsin and Michigan. Loggers used similar methods in the huge, virgin pine forest, leaving brush and wood piles to rot, creating extremely dry tinder for forest fires to easily ignite. Similar circumstances existed in the Great Chicago Fire. Dry weather conditions and an abundance of wooden buildings, streets and sidewalks made Chicago vulnerable to fire. Apparently, gale force winds blew hot embers from a smaller fire towards the heart of the city, landing on highly flammable rooftops, starting up additional fires. FIRESTORMS When many points of ignition spread over a wide area meet to create a super-fire, the rising air flames can whip up such extreme turbulence that it generates its own wind system. (Continued from Page 43)
PERFECT CONDITIONS The cyclonic winds spread several smaller fires that were already burning in the area. These existing wildfires spread rapidly until they were out of control. The Wisconsin and Michigan fires were ignited by the same gale force winds blowing through the region’s drought-ravaged areas.
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A huge updraft, caused by heat intensity confronting colder air closer to the ground, sucks up available oxygen, creating winds strong enough to uproot large trees. (Continued on Page 45) Top Left: This map outlines the huge land mass affected by the Peshtigo Fire, which covered approximately 2,400 square miles (1.5 million acres). While many areas were affected, the greatest loss of life and property occurred in the Village of Peshtigo, hence the name. Below: Survivors recounted their belief that the world was ending and “the whole Heavens seemed one vast wave of fire.” The horrible, tornado-like firestorm presumably would have looked similar to the inferno below.
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The lack of oxygen and abundance of carbon dioxide can result in death from suffocation, even in shelter. No locale is safe from fire winds, and the fire spreads easily outside the original area because of hot ash and fire debris falling out of the firestorm. The wind driving the flames converges with the wind coming in from behind a ridge or dense stand of trees. When they meet, they form a vortex or multiple vortices. These vortices lead to fire whirls, fire tornadoes and the most violent of all, firestorms. The fire tornado, like a true tornado can average up to 1000 feet in diameter and rotate at speeds up to 90 mph. PESHTIGO FIRE MUSEUM Ironically, the Peshtigo Fire (the worst fire in American history), is also known as ‘the Forgotten Fire’ because it was overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire. Since 1963, the Peshtigo Historical Society has operated the Peshtigo Fire Museum solely with donations and volunteers, telling the story of this life-shattering event as a memorial to the victims and survivors of the fire. While the fire consumed nearly everything in its path, some artifacts remain such as the tabernacle from the Catholic Church, charred logs, bibles, melted watches and metal objects and other items that survived. There are unique period exhibits reflecting the days prior to the fire, during the fire and the years afterwards, along with reams of eyewitness accounts, survivor’s tales, art and photographs. Most people who visit the museum say they do not feel traumatized, but rather believe they are honoring those who tragically suffered and also experience a greater sense of appreciation for their own loved ones. References: Firestorm at Peshtigo by Denise Gess and William Lutz, The Great Peshtigo Fire: An Eyewitness Account by Reverend Peter Pernin, www.history.com, www.exploringoffthebeatenpath.com, www.spydersden.wordpress.com, www.sciencedaily.com and www.io9.com. Top: The Peshtigo Cemetery features historical markers summarizing the stories of people lost in the Peshtigo Fire. The exact number that died is difficult to determine since the fire covered such a large area and remote settlements. Middle & Bottom: Mr. Hale’s bible, described in the marker above, is displayed in the museum along with several other bibles from the fire. Eye-witnesses accounts relate how people grabbed their bibles as they fled the fire. Hundreds of bibles were found later, floating in the river.
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Peshtigo Fire Miracle The Story of Sister Adele Bris By Ruth Faivre, Editor
October 9, 1871 is a day that Wisconsin will never forget. It is the date of America’s largest and deadliest inferno, dubbed the Peshtigo Fire since that was where the most damage occurred. The Peshtigo Fire decimated over one-million acres (2,400 square miles) of old growth forest, killed approximately 2,500 people and incinerated at least twelve communities. So many people survived despite all odds and the only reason many of them could give for being alive was that “The grace of God was upon them.” Northeast of Green Bay in Brown County, the town of Champion, which was called Robinsonville in the 1800's, was a heavily forested small farming community that attracted Belgian immigrants. Robinsonville and Peshtigo were on separate sides of the bay, about 40 miles apart. They were unconnected until their fates intertwined for the one and only time on the night of the October 9, 1871.
It was rumored that forest animals also sheltered inside the fence. With the fire bearing down on them, Sister Adele led the refugees in prayer, kneeling at the altar, saying the Rosary.
The Peshtigo Fire burned from southwest to northeast along both sides of the Bay. It was a firestorm of immense proportions with hurricane force winds and 2,000 degree temperatures.
They also conducted a prayer processional around the chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary lifted high and pleaded for salvation.
REFUGE
Miraculously, the flames arched over the compound, while people watched nearby farms explode in flames and the picket fence turn black with charcoal.
Nothing in the fire’s path survived as it headed on a direct path for Robinsonville’s Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, a five-acre site consisting of a boarding school, convent and chapel, surrounded by a white picket fence. Sister Adele Brise, a Belgian immigrant, was the founder and the driving force behind the building of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. Unable to outrun the fire and with no hope of escape, Robinsonville’s citizens ran for the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, hoping for sanctuary against the roaring, horrendous flames, bringing livestock and belongings with them. Page 46
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help was the only thing still standing when the light dawned. It was an untouched green oasis (except for the fence) in the midst of total desolation, with everyone still alive. Their prayers were answered. Meanwhile, the citizens had new reverence for Sister Adele, no stranger to miracles, as she had previously claimed to have received three visits from the Virgin Mary in October of 1859. (Continued on Page 47) Top: As a little girl, Sister Adele Brise lost the sight in her right eye when she was involved in an accident with liquid lye that also permanently disfigured her.
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HISTORIC RECOGNITION Following a two-year formal inquiry, on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 151 years after a young Adele Brise claimed to have received three visits from the Virgin Mary in October of 1859, the Catholic Church officially decreed with "moral certainty” that the events, apparitions and locutions that Sister Adele Brise experienced, did exhibit “the substance of supernatural character.” The Church also approved her apparitions “as worthy of belief (although not obligatory) by the Christian faithful.” WISCONSIN FIRST Of the eleven approved apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the world, this is the only one recognized in the United States. The most well-known appearances involve the sites of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico in 1531; Lourdes, France in 1858 and Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Apparitions of the Virgin Mary are often referred to as ‘Marian apparitions’ At the time of the decree, Bishop David Rickin of the Diocese of Green Bay stated that Sister Adele's own life was among the most convincing testimonies to the validity of the apparition. Rather than calling attention to herself or the apparitions, she humbly devoted the rest of her life to fulfilling the instructions she said she received from the Virgin Mary. THE APPARATIONS According to Sister Adele, during each of the three apparitions near Robinsonville, a lady in shining white clothes appeared to her. The third time she identified herself as "the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners," and told Adele, "I wish you to do the same." The Virgin Mary then gave her a mission of evangelization and catechesis, "Gather the children in this wild country, and teach them what they should know for salvation. Go and fear nothing. I will help you." Before moving to America with her family four years earlier, Sister Adele intended to become a nun and after the apparition became a Third Order Franciscan nun. Page 47
A LIFETIME OF DEVOTION She fully embraced the mission she was given by the Virgin Mary and traveled throughout Wisconsin, still mostly unsettled, giving religious instruction to children and adults. She then established the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help erected upon the site of her 1859 apparitions. Six years before her death in 1896, Robinsonville was renamed after the Belgian town of Champion. Sister Adele herself requested the change to fulfill her childhood promise to the Virgin Mary that she would enter a Belgian religious order in the Belgian Champion region. Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, is a place of prayer and pilgrimage, many seeking intercession and answers to their prayers. According to Bishop Rickin, "Sister Adele Bris really had an evangelistic spirit and lived that out, not just immediately after the message, but her whole life long." Top: One of the many statues honoring the Virgin Mary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, which stands where Adele Brise saw the Virgin Mary apparitions.
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It’s a Dog’s World! Photos by Kaitlin Woyak By Ruth Faivre, Editor
Lapping it up! Even experienced photographers find mastering the art of capturing water in motion, is a very difficult and daunting feat. However, Kaitlin Woyak, a self-taught 16-year old student who caught the photography bug in 2012 when she got her first Canon camera for Christmas, has done just that. Best of all, she has combined her command of water photography with her love of dogs, as evidenced in the photos on these two pages. Kaitlin’s love for photography does not stop at just dogs and water, though. She enjoys shooting all kinds of nature and animals, with horses ranking right up there with dogs. According to Kaitlin, “Nature and animals really inspire me because they both are beautiful creations by God.” “I'm thankful to live in such a beautiful state that gives me an opportunity to take these photos.” (Continued on Page 49)
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Kaitlin has discovered a vital key to having success in photography - the need to connect with your subject matter. That is when a photographer crosses over and really starts to shine. Kaitlin’s prowess with her camera translated into a new occupation. Her friends started requesting her as a photographer for their senior pictures. She keeps rather busy doing just that. If you wish your own photos to be considered for publication, please email a couple to us to review at journey@journeywi.com. Please keep in mind that we are a family-friendly publication. We prefer the subject matter to be Wisconsin-related as well. We particularly like photos depicting rural Wisconsin. Send a low-res digital version and if we like it, we will request a large format. Page 49
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Out of the Shadows Attracting Wildlife into the Open! Photos by Leslie Pavlak By Ruth Faivre, Editor
Roaming freely throughout most of Wisconsin, wild deer tend to establish migration trails, even in urban spaces. If you love to observe or photograph deer, this can be a very good thing, indeed. However, most people are not that fortunate and need to work a little harder to attract these wild creatures closer to their viewing arena. CHOICES For most people, this means you need to consider returning a little of your environment back to the deer by planting food plots or vegetation in your yard. If you prefer the deer eat something other than the trees, flowers, vegetables and shrubs you wish to keep for your own personal enjoyment, then you will need to consider the first option. (Continued on Page 51)
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CONSIDERATIONS Before you make the decision to feed deer, be aware that when deer are allowed to achieve high population densities their browsing can reduce not only your own property’s vegetation, but also healthy woodlands rich in species. Many of Wisconsin’s rare woodland plants and wild flowers such as Lady Slippers, one of my favorites, are decimated by deer, who consider them a favorite ‘treat.’ Fencing often is the only option for protecting these kinds of specialized plants and orchards. You also need to check with your local regulatory agencies to predetermine if food plots are allowed in your locale. (Continued on Page 52)
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LOCATION Once you have decided you want to plant a food plot, you need to survey your land to analyze your best option. Small clearings, logging roads or decks, unused acreage, are good choices, especially if near deer bedding areas. Take advantage of natural elements such as old fence lines, stumps, logs or rock piles to control where the deer will enter and exit the plots to help guide them away from areas of your yard you wish to protect. PLANT CHOICES I consulted with Hidden Greenhouse & Nursery, local experts in selecting plants for food plots. They review, trial test and select many products, suitable to grow in your food plots, lawns and gardens for customers who want deer/wildlife or simply want deer/ wildlife but just not in certain places. (Continued on Page 53)
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MOTHER EARTH No matter what you plant, everything starts with the soil. If you do not know what your soil type is, you should soil test the ground you want to plant. A soil test will indicate how much lime and nutrients are necessary to maintain a healthy crop, whether it will be for your food plot, lawn, garden or field crops.
Hidden Greenhouse suggests Deer Creek Seeds for their high quality with numerous options, yet they come in smaller packages, great for smaller plots. For the larger areas, they recommend Legacy Seeds. Legacy Seeds, located in Scandinavia, WI, products are also very high quality. Their mixes contain only the best seeds including combinations of clovers, chicory, rape, turnip seeds, creeping red fescue, perennial grasses, radish, orchard grass, timothy, oats, wheat, winter rye and more.
Soil testing is a simple process of taking random samples, 6-8” deep, throughout your plot area. Mix it up and bring it to an expert like Hidden Greenhouse, your local extension office or farm supply.
These choices provide continuous superior forage and food for nearly every month of the year.
Once you know your soil’s pH level, you can make informed decisions on soil amendments you will need as well as what, when and where to plant.
The biggest planting detriment in Wisconsin is definitely rocks, which you need to remove or you will not have good seed to soil contact. It might be tedious but well worth the effort to insure a good end result.
When you are selecting forage choices for deer or other wildlife, it pays to purchase seed exclusive for deer food plots. The old adage, “You get what you pay for” is certainly true here. Do not skimp, as you will not be satisfied with the results in emergence, coverage and attractiveness to wildlife.
When planting, people often overseed and/or plant too deep. It is best to follow the specific food plot products’ detailed planning instructions carefully if you wish to achieve the desired results.
PREPARATION
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GREENHOUSE OPENING APRIL 26! (715) 570-4701 N7146 Torgerson Rd Iola, WI 54945 hiddengreenhouse@mwwb.net hiddengreenhouse.com
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ENVIRONMENT If you want deer to come even closer into your yard, plant/transplant wild plants indigenous to your region and let that area of your yard go wild. Deer will feel safer in a familiar environment and be more likely to return. Feeding birds and other wildlife like the wild turkeys strutting their stuff in the photo above, also helps deer feel more secure. Deer are cautious when grazing in residential areas and for escape, prefer open rather than fenced areas. Patience is probably the most important aspect of attracting deer. It takes time and effort to get your yard or plot ready but the wild kingdom marches to its own tune and will come when they are ready. Page 54
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Imagination! Apple trees have such wonderfully gnarly shapes. The tree directly below appears to be alive and advancing on Casey Janowski of Casey’s Orchard!
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Journey Through Wisconsin!
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Through Wisconsin 7374 Lepak Lane Custer, WI 54423
PRSRT STD AUTO U.S. POSTAGE PAID STEVENS POINT, WI PERMIT NO. 272
Celebrating Spring This “cotton candy” sunset by Leslie Pavlak, one of Journey’s featured photographers, illustrates Leslie’s unique angle on everyday subjects.
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Journey-Spring 2014