Stewards of the Lake

Rice Lake Spotlight Today’s Spotlight is shining on a – perhaps – bit less well-known but very important organization here in Rice Lake. But first, a little background. When I was a junior in college and taking courses in ecology and earth science, I became very concerned with problems the earth was dealing with in […]

The Japanese Beetle

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS Some folks don’t care at all for the use of pesticides to control insect pests…  like certain beetles: the Japanese beetle, in particular.  I get it.  College (and beyond) courses in ecology, entomology, biology and botany, all did their proper job of raising my level of awareness when it comes to the environment. […]

Northwoods Cycle

Rice Lake Spotlight Today’s Spotlight is shining on a new business that has taken up residence in the previous location of Libbee’s Partee Plus. Located at 19 N Main Street in Rice Lake, Northwoods Cycle is scheduled to open in early June. We’re glad to have you locate your business in Rice Lake! The ownership […]

Maple Trees & Maple Syrup

The scientific name for the Maple tree is Acer. One reason to like maple trees is they display marvelously beautiful colors in the Fall of the year. Another reason is that in addition, some species of Maple trees will produce copious amounts of sap in the spring… which is used to make sweet and tasty… […]

Old Fashioned Love Song

No, this Old Fashion Love Song is not about the music and lyrics by either Three Dog Night or Paul Williams… It is all about an Old-Fashioned cocktail. Having, at times, tended bar at various restaurants and bars in Indiana, California, and Illinois, I had often heard of an Old Fashion, but had never actually […]

Say Cheese!

No, I don’t want you to smile for a photograph… what I would like is to share with you some thoughts about Wisconsin cheese, as well as a certain place at which to obtain it. (This page may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure about affiliate links here.) An Official Cheesehead? First, I must admit […]

Men’s Club Wine & Beer Festival

Last Week (10-04-23), we seized upon the opportunity to attend the Annual Rice Lake Area Men’s Club Wine & Beer Festival. Having lived full-time in Rice Lake for only a relatively short period of time, we had not attended the event previously. (This page may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure about affiliate links here.) […]

Rise & Fall of the Salad Bar

SOME BACKGROUND Once upon a time – not so terribly long ago – salad bars were everywhere.  They were found in lowly high school cafeterias, corporate lunchrooms, fast food restaurants, high-end steak houses, and more.  Likely to have evolved from the smorgasbord-gone-American style, salad bars were originally an all-you-can-eat affair. They have come a long way […]

Perlick Distillery

ONE THING FOR CERTAIN After many tours of various distilleries, one thing I know for certain: there are two basic ingredients that combine to make a terrific, distilled beverage.  The first is excellent water, and the second is high-quality grains.  It just so happens that the Perlick farm in Sarona, Wisconsin has both.  Although we […]

L’ Igloo – Big Fun at the Creamery

My Misfortune I want to tell you a story about an igloo experience at The Creamery in Haugen, Wi.  But first…  Last winter (December of 2022), I suffered the misfortune of a complete tear of my rotator cuff and a bicep tendon in my right arm.  Surgery wasn’t until mid-February…  The greatest misery perhaps, was […]