Neighbors-1103 March 2011

Neighbors Stories of interest from your community!

STEEPED IN MYSTERY Gypsy Vanner Horses Feathered Gold Stables Ogdensburg, WI Cover photo by Denise Krause

MARCH 2011 Vol. 1, Issue 1

THIS ISSUE Steeped in Mystery Mountain of Millet Day Trips

Neighbors Table of Contents MARCH 2011, Vol. 1, Issue 1

Page 6-15 Denise Krause captures photos of her Gypsy Vanner horses, Sterling and Price Almighty.

FEATURE ARTICLES 6 Steeped in Mystery Discover the magic of the rare Gypsy Vanner horses of Feathered Gold Stables, Ogdensburg.

COLUMNS 4 Together Thoughts from Jim Faivre, Publisher of Neighbors magazine.

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Mountains of Millet Millet Supply LLC, Plainfield, produces 1,000,000 bags of millet sprays yearly, which are sold as treats for pet birds.

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Day Trips Inspired by a passion for travel, local sisters-in-law share their unique one day adventures; no overnight bags required.

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Grounded Ruth Johnson, Editor, reflects on daily living.

Neighbors-March 2011

Together Greetings!

When I first talked about publishing this magazine, everyone thought I was nuts. Whoever heard of a business owner ever publishing something other than a sales flyer?

However, I’ve always had a strong sense of community. I grew up in a family of thirteen children. When all of us and our loved ones get together, there are enough people to fill a small town.

That’s why I view the world as one big brotherhood/sisterhood.

As customers filter in and out of our business, day after day, year after year, you get to know them a little more each time and sooner or later, you discover that they all have a pretty unique story to tell.

Above: I recently attended Trainfest, America’s largest operating model railroad show, held in Milwaukee and saw this great John Deere ride-behind train. Bottom: Since I am part Irish, I thought it might be nice to capture the “Luck ‘o the Irish” before publishing our first issue of Neighbors!

What amazes me is the tremendous range of truly remarkable businesses or other areas in which Central Wisconsin residents are involved. You are truly a gifted group of people.

I figure if we feature even a small portion of these Central Wisconsin stories, we will have achieved a great deal because we will have preserved these otherwise unknown insights for posterity.

Please share your thoughts about this first Neighbors issue along with any ideas you have about future articles or people whose story you think might be interesting to our readers.

Simply email me, journey@journeywi.com.

Enjoy the issue and thank you for reading!

Happy trails and blue skies for all!

Jim Faivre Publisher, Neighbors journey@journeywi.com

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Neighbors

Grounded

EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGN & PRODUCTION CIRCULATION & WEB MANAGEMENT Ruth Johnson

journey@journeywi.com 715-347-3755

Every New Year’s Day, I set essentially the same goals: find something good about every day and spend a few moments to appreciate it. I also pledge to do something nice for someone every day as well.

The first goal does not have to be a major undertaking. It is as easy as looking up at the sky and enjoying the beauty of the clouds as they billow across the hemisphere, taking a short nature walk or tending a garden.

On a personal level, it is as easy as letting someone go ahead of you in line at the supermarket when you only have a few items and are not in a hurry. Even a simple smile or calling to check up on a friend or neighbor, can brighten someone’s otherwise dark day.

Sometimes I feel that our culture has become too obsessed with the idea of finding happiness.

Yes, we can be happy about a new job, a bigger car or extra money, but even the feelings of elation associated with these events are still fleeting.

The people who seem to have the most contentment in life have something that brings them a sense of purpose.

For myself, writing always makes me feel good, which is why I find being an editor for Neighbors, so fulfilling.

I look forward to bringing you these photos and articles and welcome your comments and suggestions. Thank you for reading this archive.

Warm regards,

Ruth Johnson Editor This symbol designates the end of a story.

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Steeped in Mystery Gypsy Vanner Horses of Feathered Gold Stables Ogdensburg, WI

By Ruth Johnson, Editor

All photos in this article

by Denise Krause, Feathered Gold Stables.

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“It is impossible to imagine a more complete fusion with nature than that of the Gypsy.” ~ Franz Liszt, Hungarian Composer

Imagine a breed of horses so rare, it was only in the last decade of the twentieth century that they were discovered, officially recognized and registered as their own unique and truly majestic breed.

Strange as it may seem, the magnificent Gypsy Vanner horses did not have a name and their lineage remained a closely guarded secret held within the world of Gypsies.

The first Gypsy Vanner horse was not imported to the U.S. until 1996. There are now 3,500 Gypsy Vanner horses in the nation, a small number when you consider there are over 120,000 horses in Wisconsin alone*.

ENIGMA Gypsy tribes, discriminated against and persecuted in Europe since the 19th Century, became a nomadic race, never really assimilating with the cultures they encountered. They did not develop a written language and communicated family history and information verbally, which helped them maintain the secrecy level they needed to survive. *According to National AG Statistics Service of the USDA, December 31, 1998.

(Continued on Page 8) Opposite Page: Price Almighty, cloaked by trees. Top: Trainer Audrey Nusz (R) of Waupaca, WI, on Lance and 10-year old Mia Wandtke (L), one of Audrey’s students, on Princess. Right: Derek Krause walks Shanti.

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“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

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BEHIND THE LEGEND Traveling in richly ornate, horse-drawn Vardos ( bow-top style, lightweight wagons), which stored the family’s entire possessions, the Gypsies recognized the need to develop a strong, hardy breed, preferably small, no more than 15-hands high, yet capable of pulling up to 5,000 pounds.

These horses were selectively bred for strength, spectacular beauty, intelligence and friendly and engaging perfect temperament.

Drawing from the bloodlines of the Clydesdale, Shire, Dell and Fell Ponies (DNA proven), these horses are easily recognized by their long, flowing manes and tails and the profusion of signature lower leg feathers. When they run, they are pure poetry in motion, a spectacular delight!

ENTER DENISE KRAUSE At the age of two years old, Denise Krause, owner of Feathered Gold Stables in Ogdensburg, WI, slipped away from her parents at a parade.

Sure she was lost; they scoured the area and were astonished to find her playing amidst a group of horses, oblivious to any possible danger. That chance encounter was the first step towards a life dedicated to horses.

(Continued on Page 9) Top: Mickey Finn with Audrey Nusz of Waupaca (L) and Sir William with Courtney Casey of Stevens Point (R) demonstrate their stately form. Left: Audrey Nusz competition jumping with Mickey Finn.

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“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”

Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, WWII

Growing up in Nevada where her father was a District Ranger, Lake Mead National Recreation Park, Denise (who moved to Central Wisconsin when she was 18 years old), lived and breathed horses. She handled many breeds before she met her first Gypsy Vanner horse.

Like many other enthusiasts, Denise caught her first glimpse of these gorgeous horses online, “While I was initially drawn to their breathtaking beauty, I quickly became captivated with their incredibly docile nature, intelligence and vigorous athleticism. I decided we needed one so we purchased our first Gypsy Vanner, Feathered Gold Moe.” PROFESSIONAL BREEDERS Together with husband, Derek, Denise owns Feathered Gold Stables in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin, home to 33 horses, 25 of which form the foundation of their Gypsy Vanner horse breeding operation.

Although Denise enjoys showing her horses at local shows throughout the Midwest as well as breed shows specific to the Gypsy Vanner horse, her primary focus is producing high quality Gypsy Vanner foals.

She is present at every birth, either in person or via cameras installed in the stables, which send live feed to the house, keeping her informed.

This is a true family affair. Denise handles all of the daily chores, regular routines, sales and interacting with the veterinarian and trainers.

Derek, who has a full-time job outside the stables, helps exercise and train the horses, overall show preparation and participation and assists Denise with foaling of the mares.

Denise shares her appreciation of Derek, “He and I actually are a very good team in the barn when we have a mare ready to give birth. The two of us work together in a very intricate fashion to get baby dried off, blanketed, up on its feet and nursing as well as attending to all mama's needs during this time. Unfortunately, Derek is often on the road with his job. The past three foaling seasons, he was only able to attend about half of the births.”

“If he is not here and I need an extra set of hands in an emergency, my twelve-year old son, Justin is always willing to get out of bed (the mares foal at night 95% of the time), and help with whatever I need.”

Justin also runs his own “Baby School” for the foals, who follow him like puppies throughout the corrals.

(Continued on Page 10) Top: Denise and Sera going through the paces. Middle: Watch out Derek! Avalanche is showing off his playful side. Bottom: Meanwhile, Lady decides it is time family dog, Cory, needs a little prodding.

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Denise utilizes the services of professional trainer, Audrey Nusz, Waupaca, to teach the horses to accept a rider and perform various skills. Denise also works with 4-H Club students and interns like 17-year old, Courtney Casey, Stevens Point, WI, who handled all of Feathered Gold Kolbe’s training and has been showing Jasmyn this past show season.

BONDING The entire family loves the foals and finds it very hard to part with them.

Denise enthuses, “We want our horses to do well in their new homes.

We do not sell in utero because we prefer to fit each horse with the right buyer. Our buyers come from all lifestyles, age groups and rider types.

77% of our clients purchase more than one Gypsy Vanner horse from us.

Two clients each, purchased five horses from us over a three-year span.”

Denise relates that they select their mares and stallions for their pedigree, conformation to breed standards and pleasant disposition, reflected in their stock’s offspring.

Editor’s note: “I can personally attest to the breed’s docile nature. I am rather afraid of horses yet when Denise invited me to visit with the Gypsy Vanners inside their corral; I was surprised to find myself following her. There were about 10-15 horses of various ages and sizes and they quickly surrounded me, nudging me to encourage me to pet them. They all wanted attention and truly acted more like dogs, playful, curious and happy go-lucky.

Somehow, they made me feel complete, as if all I wanted my entire life was to be an equestrian. I contemplated whistling to see if one would follow me to my car but then remembered I did not have any proper accommodations for them.”

(Continued on Page 11) Top: Gypsy mare and foal in a special bonding moment. Middle: Justin Krause at his first show. Bottom: Justin teaching one of the foals through his “Baby School.”

“There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take the one with a heart.” ~ Lao Tzu

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“We are all wanderers on this earth. Our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams.” ~ Gypsy proverb

The Krauses work very hard to educate the public regarding Gypsy Vanners, participating in shows, parades, expos and educational seminars. They are often the first Gypsy Vanners to compete or show in many equine events.

Feathered Gold Stables was the featured act in the 2007 Dances with Horses presentation in Waterloo, Iowa, a major charity event.

Proceeds benefited Aspire Therapeutic Riding program.

Mickey Finn, one of the Krause’s three breeding stallions and the only son of renowned Gypsy Vanner stallion, Drumshambo, in the States, was a major contestant in the 2010 Midwest Horse Fair’s Wind Rider Equestrian Challenge.

This cross disciplinary course includes challenges such as: circles cantered, lead changes, two-foot jump, trotting while balancing an object in one hand, backing through and around barrels, side passing, ground poles, turns on the haunches or turnarounds, leg yielding, open/close a gate, dragging objects and ring joust.

According to Denise, “Gypsy Vanners exhibit an unparalleled level of versatile athleticism. While many horse breeds only excel l at one type of riding, the Gypsy Vanner can perform Western and English riding and jumping, hunt, parade, dressage, rodeo, 4-H activities, cutting, roping, barrel racing or anything else a horse can do.”

Mickey Finn along with Jasmyn, another Feathered Gold Gypsy Vanner, will compete in the 2011 Wind Rider Equestrian Challenge.

Both are also contestants in Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s 2011 Midwest Horse Fair’s Search for the World’s Most Beautiful Horse.

(Continued on Page 12) Top: Novel displays the overwhelming Gypsy Vanner Beauty. Bottom Left: Zetta Rose, Luna and Tiny out for a spin. Bottom Right: Ellie finds her jumping prowess at just four days old!

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“Go for the moon. If you don't get it, you'll still be heading for a star.” ~ Willis Reed, retired NBA Basketball Player.

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Denise, who is very petite, is proud that she can run heavy equipment.

In winter 2008, Derek fell off the roof, shattering his heel and ankle, which required extensive surgery and downtime.

The Krauses had just ordered a 4520 John Deere tractor with a 400CX loader from Faivre Implement. Denise was afraid she would not be able to learn to run it. John Shulfer, Faivre’s service specialist, worked with Denise until she felt quite comfortable and confident with the tractor.

Now, she absolutely loves her tractor and uses it to move huge hay bales and feeders, plow snow, clean pens and unload pallets of feed and bedding. She easily changes attachments from the front blade to bale spear, pallet forks and bucket and thinks it is one of the best inventions ever.

Denise is the Breed Coordinator for the Great Lakes Gypsy Vanner Presentation at 2011 Midwest Horse Fair, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. All nine Gypsy Vanners were born at Feathered Gold Stables.

Video clip: http://www.featheredgold.com/Midwest%202011%20Trailer.htm

Feathered Gold’s mares are expecting 11 foals from their spectacular stallions: Mickey Finn, Feathered Gold Moe and young prospect, Feathered Gold Romantic Legend.

For more information on Feathered Gold Stables, contact them at info@featheredgold.com or (715) 445-5345.

(Continued on Page 13) Top: Denise displays her multi-talented tractor skills. Middle: Nuala and her foal out for a midday romp. Bottom: Derek and Mickey Finn present at a show.

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“Time, you old gypsy man, will you not stay, put up your caravan just for one day?” ~ Ralph Hodgson, English Poet No article about the Gypsy Vanner horses would be complete without a few photos of the Romani Gypsy Vardos they pulled. The Vardos were traveling bow-top style wagons, which served as the Gypsies’ permanent homes.

LAVISHLY EMBELLISHED These superbly crafted travelling wagons were prized for their practicality as well as elaborately decorated esthetics full of ornately painting and beautifully executed hand carvings with traditional Romani symbols.

Due to fleeing long-standing persecution and discrimination, the vardos were designed to be lightweight enough to be drawn by one horse, which accommodated the Gypsies’ nomadic lifestyle. The interiors master the art of organization beyond compare, storing an entire family’s possessions in a very limited space.

Hopefully, these vardos and their Gypsy owners will continue to thrive and prosper, shining their fairy-tale beauty throughout our world.

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BONUS PHOTO PAGES Please enjoy these extra pages of Feathered Gold Stables’ absolutely stunning Gypsy Vanner horses and foals!

Visit their website for further info: www.featheredgoldstables.com (Continued on Page 15)

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Mountain of Millet One Million Bags Strong Each Year to Pet Birds!

Millet Supply LLC, Plainfield

By Ruth Johnson, Editor

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The United States loves birds. A survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) reported that 6.9 million households in the U.S. have pet birds.

Our nation’s fascination with birds has spurred the creation of an industry of bird feed manufacturers that dispense over 500,000 tons of bird nutrition products per year, including millet spray treats.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN LEADERS Ninety percent of the world’s millet is grown by two major producers, both of which are located in Central Wisconsin. Millet Supply LLC, the larger of the two producers, controls approximately 60% of the market share and is located in Plainfield, Wisconsin.

Millet Supply LLC is owned by Jon Bushman, Steve Bartsch and Gary Woyak, all of whom are Central Wisconsin potato farmers. With 28 employees year-round, Millet Supply LLC is one of the Plainfield, WI area’s larger employers.

BIRD TREATS 100% natural Millet spray treats for pet birds are Millet Supply LLC’s primary product. Millet spray is the somewhat curved, mature dried seed head at the end of a stalk of foxtail millet.

Nearly all seed-eating pet birds relish millet spray and it is one of their most preferred treats. This is especially true of parrots, which tend to be destructive feeders.

While the birds enjoy eating the millet, they also love shredding it, a truly entertaining pastime.

(Continued on Page 18) Opposite Page: A field of Foxtail millet. Top Left: Millet Supply, LLC’s processed millet sprays and the end product in use. Top Right: The finished product - a bag of Spray Millet prepared for Kaytee. Bottom: Millet Supply LLC’s grading and packaging production lines are processing millet full steam ahead!

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BENEFITS GALORE Bird owners often use millet spray as a reward for good behavior or when the bird masters a new trick. Low in fat, it supplements the diet of birds that refuse other foods or who have reduced food intake due to illness.

If soaked in warm water, millet spray is an excellent weaning food for immature parrots and helps encourage young birds to eat independently.

About one inch diameter, millet spray varies from six to 18 inches long and consists of a long, thin stalk from which small tufts of seeds extend. Each tuft has 25-50 millet seeds.

A full millet spray, which may contain thousands of seeds, is normally clipped to a bird's cage to eat at their own leisure.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET Millet Supply LLC sells a whopping 1,000, 000 bags of millet sprays every year, right out of Plainfield, WI, not direct to the public but rather to bird feed manufacturers. Their biggest client is Kaytee, located in Chilton, WI, followed by Hartz Mountain and 10-12 other manufacturers.

Kaytee, manufacturer of pet and wild bird food products and accessories describes Millet Supply LLC’s natural spray millet as “a very popular, stimulating and entertaining food treat for fledglings, juveniles and full grown birds alike.”

(Continued on Page 19) Top: “Peanut” wagons used for millet seed harvesting. Middle: These combines are specially modified to handle millet sprays. Bottom: Gary Woyak, a Millet Supply LLC’s owner and WI potato farmer, points out millet sprays in a mound of unprocessed millet.

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TECHNICAL ASPECTS According to Gary Woyak, one of Millet Supply LLC’s partners and also owner of Taterland Farms, a large Plainfield, WI potato farming operation, “We grow Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica), one of the most important cultivated millet species in a variety of Honey & Gold, Sunshine and Golden Starburst.“ Gary continues, “Because the millet season coincides with the potato season, it can get a little hectic having millet and potato trucks and equipment going down the same roads at the same time. Millet is normally planted May 1-15 and harvested in mid-September.”

The team plants a total of 300 acres with 30-inch rows and 3” spacing between plants, averaging 75,000 seeds per acre. Millet seeds are about the size of a pinhead.

In other countries, harvesting is done entirely by hand.

Gary’s operation harvests with specially modified combines, which cutoff and gather the top of the stalk and the sprays, fairly similar to combining corn.

The sprays are deposited into specially-customized peanut wagons (so called because they were originally used for peanut harvesting). Their perforated floors allow attached dryers to dry the sprays as they are loaded into the wagons and driven to holding areas.

(Continued on Page 20) Top: Unprocessed millet is stored outside in the elements. Middle: Gary uses his John Deere end loader to transfer a mound of millet to the processing plant in Plainfield. Bottom: Crates of graded millet stored at the processing plant.

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Gary likens millet planting to “basically giving the land a year off because it leaves so little impact or footprint on the land.

It’s kind of like growing weeds.”

“Because millet is a grass,” states Gary, “you can only employ broadleaf protection and even that, very minimally. The most we do is cultivate three times a season. “ Gary grows millet only once in any given field every five years or, like any grass, it can get invasive. Millet requires little moisture and actually performs poorly in waterlogged soils.

OPEN AIR Gary stores the unprocessed millet outside, “Over the years, we found it was better when it was stored in the elements to give it a chance to breathe and get air flowing through it better, rather than being confined in a building.”

“Deer are a problem, though. We thought about adding fences but the return on investment was not there for the small amount eaten by deer.”

CENTRAL WISCONSIN PROCESSING PLANT Processing spray at the company’s Plainfield, WI plant is a very specialized operation that captures the intact spray instead of the seed. Other than conveyer belts, processing is all manual labor. Millet is raked onto the conveyor belts and larger pieces are pulled out for bulk boxes (5-lb cartons) of millet spray.

(Continued on Page 21) Top: The processing plant in Plainfield, WI along with a small photo of a bird enjoying millet spray. Left: A worker prepares to move unprocessed millet unto the conveyor belt for initial sorting and grading.

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The millet then goes through the cutting line where workers cut the sprays off the stem. At the grading line, workers sort stems and sprays by size. The smaller pieces go into other products and are stacked in trays in the storage area for processing later.

The sprays move next to the packaging area where they are inserted carefully into appropriate product bags.

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING Gary gives away the millet that does not make grade to local people to use for livestock feed. “We used to bale and sell it but it was not worth the effort. Now, we just load it in a wagon and let people know it is available for free, as long as they clean up any mess they make.”

“Horses, particularly, love millet and pretty much react to it as if it was alfalfa, one of their favorite feeds.”

Always exploring new frontiers, Gary also sells 25 semi-loads of field cob corn annually to pet food manufacturers for squirrel feed.

Gary farms 500 acres of potatoes in his Plainfield, WI potato operation and has over 20 pieces of John Deere equipment, including seven tractors.

EDITOR’S NOTE: When I was interviewing Gary for this story, he told me he bought his first John Deere tractor 30 years ago. I asked him if he remembered what model it was and quick as a wink, he said, “4450.” Now, that’s a man and his Deere!

Top: Leftover millet is free to local farmers. Middle: Sprays of millet are being transferred to the appropriate packaging. Bottom: Another view of the production line where much of the work is hand processing.

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Day Trips

By Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla

SEARCHING BEYOND It’s easy to get into an ‘all or nothing’ state of mind when it comes to travel. For many of us, it is an entire week or nothing at all. Maybe you want to see unique architecture, learn history, taste wine, revitalize your brain and/or give yourself a break from this beloved chaos we call life.

Maybe you daydream about quaint towns, coffee shops, historical tours, and vineyards. When you look at pictures, maybe you envision yourself strolling down cobblestone streets, enjoying the jolly street music or noticing exotic flavors in the various wines you sample.

And then you snap back into reality.

How easy it is to forget that we do not need to travel thousands of miles away to experience fulfilling travel “gems.” Yet, if someone would have told me this ten years ago, I would have just rolled my eyes.

It used to be easy, planning a weeklong getaway. Back in the day, it was a lot easier to hop on a plane and spend ten days in Europe or block out a long refreshing weekend to amble the streets of New England.

Welcome to Day Trips!

Inspired by an authentic passion for travel, each month we will 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 and are firmly entrenched in Central Wisconsin.

For more than six years, we have ventured forth seeking 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 you into your own day trip journey!

Above: Sisters-in-law Heather Kizewski (left) & Ann Marie Worzalla (right).

Heather’s husband

ALTERED STATES As we all know, life changes and other things take priority: we have school plays that cannot be missed; soccer games; careers; meetings and let’s not forget – limited funds.

Back when I traveled to Europe, I loved to visit places off the beaten path - towns I did not read about in any books; the ones I happened to stumble upon by chance.

SPECIAL NOTE: Click here to go to Day Trips’ Facebook page.

Not that I didn’t enjoy seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Eiffel Tower, but my most memorable times were those spent in simplicity.

Little did I know I could have experienced those precious random moments a lot closer to home.

A COMPLETE TURN-AROUND It was an accident really – one spontaneous day trip with my accomplice, Ann Marie, led to another and then another…

Although it has been several years since my last travels to foreign lands, I have not felt deprived of experiencing the depths of history, culture, coffee shops or wine.

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When people think of traveling in Wisconsin, these places most often come to mind: the Dells, Milwaukee Zoo, Minocqua and Door County.

And, why not? After all, they are well known and pretty spectacular. However, if thoughts of the norm make you yawn, chances are you will enjoy reading Day Trips each month.

ROAD LESS TRAVELED Ann Marie and I spent six years discovering destinations about which we have not been able to stop talking. We hope you will also want to experience these same adventures and satisfy your travel bug, as we have.

Dedicated to the unordinary, we know we will always find the perfect restaurant even though we may walk in and walk right back out of several establishments in the process; knowing the ambience is not quite what we are seeking.

Although we have missed our share of exits and turns, almost magically, we find the perfect place, leaving us with breathless excitement, meaningful moments and stories that must be told.

WELCOME TO WOLLERSHEIM It is hidden it seems; Wollersheim Winery is a national historic site, is nestled on a hillside overlooking the Wisconsin River.

HERITAGE Initially, Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy selected this property to use for vineyards in the 1840s.

Soon after, Peter Kehl, a German immigrant took over and established the present buildings during the Civil War period.

After his death, Peter’s son Jacob assumed control and sold wine in small barrels to customers as far away as Maine. He operated the winery until his death in 1899. The family then stopped making wine and began planting conventional crops.

RESCUE In 1972, the property had been nearly abandoned.

John and Jo Ann Wollersheim purchased it and restored it into a working winery.

Today, John and Jo Ann’s daughter, Julie, runs the winery with her husband, Phillippe Cocquard, a winemaker who arrived in 1984 from the Beaujolais region of France.

Phillippe grew up working with his two uncles at their family wineries. The winery is open year round with tours running hourly.

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In 1849, after years of struggling with winter damage and tough economic times, the Count headed west to follow the gold rush.

Eventually, he became known as the founder of California’s wine industry.

Soon after, Peter Kehl, a German immigrant took over and built the present buildings during the Civil War. Page 23

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After ordering our caramel apple lattes, we put the sofa to good use, chatting while looking at the menu.

To our delight, the choices included sandwiches with fresh mozzarella, pesto and tomato!

BACK TO BUSINESS We finally headed back to the winery, parking the car and walking up the rugged stone stairs built into a big hill.

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HERE’S THE SCOOP Our trip took place in late October on a Saturday. We arrived just after 11:00 am. It seemed a little too early to sample wine, so we drove into downtown Prairie Du Sac, which is quaint with beautiful antique streetlights.

WALKING ON AIR It did not take us long to find the perfect place for lunch, selecting the Blue Spoon Creamery, a bistro-type establishment with Tuscan décor.

The second we walked in the door my excitement rose to cloudy levels – I was so happy I couldn’t see straight.

It took a while for me to settle down and take it all in.

They gave us the opportunity to sit on the terrace, which overlooks the river. It was a tad chilly so we passed.

Besides, the interior was so beautiful that it seemed wrong not to be inside enjoying it.

We happened to notice a wrought iron spiral staircase.

Curious as to where it led, we ascended it to the loft above. We immediately knew where we would be spending the next couple of hours.

The stairs led to a path that reminded me of a fairy tale. The buildings, to which the path led us, reinforced that feeling.

The setting reminded me of Giverny, a tiny, rustic village I visited in Normandy, France where Claude Monet lived and painted many of his fine works of art.

We watched a brief video in a building that resembled a barn, sitting on benches similar to church pews, which rested on richly dark hardwood floors.

KNOWLEDGE We learned a lot about the property’s history along with interesting facts about the various types of grapes. Most are winter hardy French-American hybrids, but the main grape is a very reliable and versatile Marechal Foch.

We toured the fermentation hall and barrel aging room where we were educated all about the wine making process.

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A cozy sofa sat up in the loft, accented with a coffee table and books. Ann Marie said it reminded her of Central Perk on the TV series, Friends.

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Did you know that cream of tartar is obtained from the sediment produced in the process of making wine? We never knew that.

NATURE BECKONS We visited part of the twenty-seven acre vineyard where we discovered that grapes grown on flatter land produce a light, medium-bodied wine and grapes grown on steep slopes produce a rich, full-bodied wine.

The tastings took place on an elegant bar. I immediately appreciated the delicate balance of rustic sophistication.

We met a nice couple from Wisconsin Rapids with whom we chatted throughout the tasting.

The Blue Spoon Creamery offers a huge selection of reasonably priced wines for purchase by the bottle.

They will chill it for you and deliver it to you in a bucket of ice (unless you prefer it at room temperature). They also have an impressive array of gelato.

In our final reflections of this particular day trip, we determined that our favorite Wollersheim wines were the Prairie Fumé, Cedarburg Spiced and Pinot Noir.

A light, crisp, snappy white, Prairie Fumé pairs well with seafood and grilled food.

After determining our favorite (a delicious spiced wine), we purchased a bottle and took our complimentary wine glasses over to the balcony that overlooks the vineyard.

Cedarburg Spiced tastes just like how you would imagine an autumn holiday would taste. Pinot Noir has interesting notes of bay leaf and eucalyptus.

Dressed in warm coats and scarves, we laughed and chatted in the fresh autumn air until dusk.

If you’re into sweeter whites, the River Gold is a truly excellent choice and a perfect wine for dessert wine.

Then we headed back to The Blue Spoon Creamery where we had dinner and more lattes –this time a pumpkin spice.

Page 25

Next Month: The Peshtigo Fire Museum – learn the facts about “America’s forgotten fire.”

Neighbors-March 2011

Journey through Wisconsin SUMMER SPECIAL: Save 20% on 1-Year print/online subscription!

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“Uncover a Smile!�

Wander to Iola, WI and discover our greenhouse and nursery where you will find only the healthiest, premium quality annuals, perennials, seeds, shrubs, trees, vines, supplies and more!

Better yet, we are real people dedicated to helping others create the landscaping environment of their dreams.

We grow and source most of our live goods locally to ensure they adapt to our climate/conditions.

Check our website for products available online!

Mon-Fri: 10:00am-6:00pm Sat: 8:00am-6:00pm Sun: 10:00am-3:00pm

(715) 570-4701 N7146 Torgerson Rd, Iola, WI hiddengreenhouse@mwwb.net hiddengreenhouse.com

19th Ice Fisheree Derrick Mike, Westfield, shows off his “Gator on Ice� skills while transporting materials for the Westfield Lions Club and Lawrence Lake Sports Club 19th Ice Fisheree.

Page 28

Neighbors-March 2011