Cambridge Visitor and Activity Guide 2020

VISITOR AND ACTIVITY GUIDE

2 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

CONTENTS

Table of CAMBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 102 W. Main St. Cambridge, WI 53523 (608) 423-3780 cambridgewi.com PUBLISHER

Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water St. Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 356-8757 townsandassociates.com General Manager Amy S. Johnson Sales Coordinator Terri Groves Publication Designer Linda Walker Senior Copy Editor Kyle Jacobson Copy Editor Krystle Naab Additional Staff Cathy Bacon, Jennifer Denman, Debora Knutson, Crea Stellmacher, Barbara Wilson

COVER PHOTOGRAPH Nathan Perry

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS Nathan Perry

Content provided by Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, unless otherwise noted. The Chamber has made every effort to ensure that information in this publication is accurate and assumes no responsibility for misinformation.

Any reproduction or reprint of this guide, or portion thereof, without written permission from the Chamber is prohibited.

Life in Cambridge

4

Come and Discover Cambridge

6

Cambridge is a village for Families

8

Cambridge is a village for Business

10

Cambridge is a village for Recreation 14 Cambridge is a village that Celebrates 16 Cambridge is a village that Volunteers 18 Cambridge is a village with History

20

Advertiser Index

22

cambridgewi.com | 3

When people ask me where I live and I answer, “Cambridge, Wisconsin,” the response is usually, “We love Cambridge! We’ve been there for the pottery!” or, “Isn’t that where Matt Kenseth, the NASCAR driver is from?”

Yes, we are the self-proclaimed Salt Glaze Pottery Capital of the Midwest and also Matt Kenseth’s hometown, but we are so much more. Since 1847, people have been coming to Cambridge and the Lake Ripley area as a place to wander, to build and explore ideas and to craft.

Pursuing Happiness Since 1847 4 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

CAMBRIDGE

Life in

We aren’t just a small rural suburb of Madison, we are a unique blend of outdoor enthusiasts, artists and craftsmen, entrepreneurs and friendly folks who love to work hard, and play harder.

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Come to Cambridge and: PLAY golf at the area’s most affordable private 18-hole golf course at Lake Ripley Country Club.

VISIT galleries and art festivals featuring world-famous potters specializing in salt-glazed pottery and the ancient art of wood-fired pottery.

RIDE the fantastic and ever-

growing mountain bike trail system, open all year in Dane County Parks’ CamRock Park.

LEARN at our highly regarded public school system that prepares citizens to learn from the past, achieve in the present and envision the future.

MEET up with friends at

Cambridge Winery or Dancing Goat Distillery, and enjoy locally made wine and spirits.

6 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

HAPPINESS

Pursuit of

All of these opportunities and more await you here in Cambridge.

Come join us in your pursuit of happiness!

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Cambridge is a great place to call home for those looking for a small town that welcomes newcomers with open arms.

The school system consistently receives very high reviews for all of its schools, Cambridge Elementary, Nikolay Middle School, Cambridge High School and Koshkonong Trails— our public charter school.

8 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

FAMILIES

Cambridge is a village for

The schools are supported by many very engaged groups, including (but not limited to) the PTO, Music Boosters, many different athletic booster groups and Cambridge Community Activities Program (CAP). CAP

not only offers many classes and activities for school-aged children, but also offers programs for adults throughout the year. There are also many options for older residents, with services offered by both CAP and the county.

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Enjoy a stroll down historic Main Street, visit the quaint shops, chat with local artists and enjoy a nice meal or a great cup of coffee.

10 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS

Cambridge is a village for

Cambridge is home to a wide variety of businesses, both large and small. From a diverse group of boutique shops along our quaint Main Street to a winery and distillery to large-

scale construction companies, Cambridge is a good fit for all.

The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce works diligently to promote and support the entire area business community.

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yarn

•

classes

Karen Anderson 920.342.0496

12 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

•

gifts 131 W. Main Street Cambridge, WI 53523

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Cambridge and its surrounding areas offer many choices for getting outdoors, getting some exercise or just getting together with some friends to enjoy a local event.

14 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

RECREATION

Cambridge is a village for

Access the CamRock bike/walking trail system here in town, rent a picnic shelter for a party by the shore at Lake Ripley Park and get in a good workout at the Cambridge Community Fitness Center. So many options abound in this growing village!

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The Midwest Fire Fest is a celebration of all things forged in fire.

16 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

CELEBRATES

Cambridge is a village that The Fire Fest provides demonstrations of iron pours, pit-fired pottery and a hot reveal of a clay sculpture in a performance style art event—also an art show, fire performers, Fire Feast, concessions and smoking hot music.

Other annual events include: a well-attended Memorial Day parade, Girls Night Out events in April and October bringing people into our downtown shops and restaurants and Firemen Appreciation Day festival in September.

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Below is a list representing many of the volunteer groups and organizations you could choose to participate in here in our wonderful village.

Cambridge Arts Council: The Cambridge Arts Council brings together artists, writers, musicians, educators and art enthusiasts to provide support for area artists. In doing so, we seek to enrich the quality of life and contribute to the economic and cultural development of Cambridge and surrounding towns.

Contact: cambridgewiarts@gmail.com or visit cambridgewiarts.org Cambridge Community Activities Program (CAP): Encouraging and promoting life-long wellness by providing a variety of high-quality recreational activities, learning opportunities, aquatics programs and other services to the broad Cambridge area community. Contact: cap@cambridge.k12.wi.us or visit cambridgecap.net Cambridge-Deerfield Players Theater: The Cambridge-Deerfield Players Theater, Inc. offers the Cambridge, Deerfield, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Marshall and other Wisconsin-area communities the opportunity to participate in and enjoy all facets of community theater. The mission for the CD Players, Inc. is to support productions and projects that augment and enhance the artistic experience for all who participate whether on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience. These productions are understood to be occasions to refine skills, learn new ones and have fun! Contact: (608) 212-0672 or email cdptheater@gmail.com or visit cdplayerstheater.com Cambridge Food Pantry and Resource Center: The Food Pantry provides food assistance, resources and emergency aid to residents of the Cambridge School District. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Contact: (608) 423-8142 or visit cambridgecap.net/cambridge-food-pantry-and -resource-center

18 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

Cambridge Tree Project: We are a Cambridge, Wisconsin-based non-profit organization offering affordable trees and shrubs for your home. All profits help landscape Cambridge schools, streets and parks.

Contact: info@cambridgetreeproject.org or visit cambridgetreeproject.org Friends of the Cambridge Community Library: We are a non-profit community organization dedicated to supporting the Cambridge Community Public Library. Our purpose is to assist the library in developing programs to meet current community needs; to assist in promoting knowledge of, and participation in, library services; and to aid in providing funds to meet special library needs. Our members are book lovers, information seekers, readers, listeners and music and movie buffs. We come from varying backgrounds and age groups!

We all treasure ideas and value the public library as a vital community resource. Our annual meeting is held in January of each year. Contact: (608) 423-3900 or cfriendsofthelibrary@gmail.com or visit cambridgelibraryfriends.org Friends of CamRock Dog Park: We are working with Dane County Parks to create a dog park in our community. Dane County has land allotted and they are 100% on board. Our group’s purpose is to provide community support, promote and advocate for the success of the future dog park.

The dogs can hardly wait!

Visit facebook.com/groups/761047314069775/ Lions Club: To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.

Contact: cambridgelions@yahoo.com Our House Senior Living: Volunteers are always welcome to bake, do arts and crafts or visit and play music with the residents.

Contact: Ryan at (608) 423-9961 Village of Cambridge – Senior Services: The Village works with McFarland Outreach Center as well as the Friends of the Cambridge Library to coordinate such services as transportation, nutrition programs, foot care, a local shopping bus, library services and a sewing group. Contact: (608) 838-7117

We are home to a whole host of volunteers.

Name a cause and we most likely have a volunteer group dedicated to helping it!

VOLUNTEERS

Cambridge is a village that

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Founded in 1847 with saw, feed and flour mills, Cambridge was legendarily named by one of our founding fathers, Alvin B. Carpenter, after the hometown of his sweetheart.

Cambridge’s past is filled with bustling 19th century commerce, crop and tobacco farming and Lake Ripley recreation. Visitors today can tour the Cambridge 1906 Historic School to learn about our past with museum displays reflecting our interesting history.

20 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

Uniquely located on the Dane and Jefferson County line next to beautiful Lake Ripley, Cambridge remained an “inland” town, untouched by railroad development.

Despite lacking local rail

HISTORY

Cambridge is a village with

access, Cambridge thrived and even became a birthplace of innovation as Cambridge resident Ole Evinrude developed the outboard motor inspired by Lake Ripley. Arthur Davidson, founding partner

in Harley-Davidson, was the Cambridge resident who personally delivered one of his new motorbikes to replace the mail delivery bicycle at our post office.

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Avid Gardener

02

Cambridge Foundation

12

Cambridge Winery

02

Drews Tax Plus

13

Fort HealthCare / Cambridge Family Practice

13

Home Elements & Concepts, Journey of Aging, Madison Essentials

23

Kaleidoscope Fibers

12

Keystone Grill

12

Lee Recreation, LLC

13

Marc’s Garage

13

Mink Farm Tavern

12

Mountain Man Guns

02

PC Alternatives

12

Re/Max Property Shop

22

Risen Lawn Care Service

13

Ruby Rose Gallery

13

School District of Cambridge

24

22 | Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

INDEX

Advertiser

Journey of Aging South Central (semiannually) Whether you’re a senior taking new courses in life or know someone who is, this magazine and resource guide provides more than just information on doctors and living facilities.

From helping you explore your inner artist to preparing you for changes in lifestyle, our contributors provide their perspectives and expertise in engaging articles.

journeyofaging.com

Home Elements & Concepts (quarterly) Home Elements & Concepts gives you great ideas that can transform your living space. You’ll receive professional perspectives in each article, connecting you with the designers, contractors, and tradespeople who help us envision the environments we call home.

homeelementsandconcepts.com

Madison Essentials (bimonthly) Madison Essentials serves as your guide to local restaurants, shops, and sights, introducing you to the impressive array of innovators who serve as the foundation of the Greater Madison area.

madisonessentials.com