We also witnessed someone making the mistake of trying to win Kyle’s hot wing contest.  Eat ten super hot wings in 10 minutes and receive a T-shirt and your name on the wall of flame.  The guy stopped after three wings, the woman “won” but I imagine she will not be feeling very well for a few days.  She apparently made the mistake of touching her eye and by the time she got done eating her eye swelled shut.  She immediately drank milk and made her way to to restroom.  I can’t remember when I have laughed so hard. FYI… Kyle makes customers sign a waiver before they attempt the contest.  Don’t think I’ll try that any time soon.

We watched the Blackhawks win on the flat screen TV and Faye gave all the customers Jello shots (in a syringe, no less) for each score.  Gotta love Jello shots!  Even Ruth, who is 81 knocked back a shot.

Peninsula Pub is located on the corner of A and E about three miles east of Egg Harbor and is open  from 11 am till close 7 days a week.  Best of luck Kyle and Faye!

It is as following… (FYI- I will be sending out reminders before each show)

Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble
Friday, May 14, 2010
7:00 P.M.

The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble is an 18-piece big band with a diverse repertoire of traditional swing, bebop, modern jazz, vocal selections, and the music of this great nation. During concerts, you may hear innovative, contmporary jazz works as well as the classic sounds of Count Basie or Glenn Miller.
The Shades of Blue has backed many jazz greats, including Sammy Nestico, Toni Tennille, Denis DiBlasio, Jamey Aebersold, Allen Vizzutti, Shelley Berg, Joe Morello and Carmen Bradford. The band also regularly performs and teaches masterclasses at high school and collegiate jazz clinics and festivals throughout the Midwest.
Whether performing for a head of state, before a capacity crowd in northern Wisconsin, or for our troops at home and abroad, the Shades of Blue reflects the heritage and pride of our great nation and represents the excellence found every day throughout the United States Air Force.

Tickets: Free – Limit 4

Sponsor
Door County Advocate

Rich Little
Starring in Jimmy Stewart: A Humorous Look at His Life

Known for his uncanny ability to mimic over 200 A-list Hollywood celebrities and
politicians, Rich Little is perhaps the best impersonator America has ever known. In
this delightful journey through the golden years of the silver screen, Little will play a
multitude of parts, walking through a lifetime of conversations between Jimmy
Stewart and his famous friends, including Jack Benny, Humphrey Bogart, Clark
Gable, and Cary Grant.

Sunday, May 30 7:00pm
$55/$45/$38

Mountain Heart with Opening Act Lynn Gudmundsen

Cutting-Edge Americana

With their unmatched energy and stunning instrumental skills, the six members of
Mountain Heart offer a captivating stage show like no other. These Grammy-winning
performers combine elements of rock, jam band, country, blues, jazz, and bluegrass
music to produce a high-energy sound that is at once fresh, accessible, and
unmistakable. Joining Mountain Heart will be Lynn Gudmundsen, Door County fiddler
extraordinaire, and friends, who packed the Auditorium with a Fireside Concert last
January.

Sunday, June 20 7:00pm
$25/$22/$18

Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, and Edgar Meyer

Astonishing Musical Wizardry

Individually, Béla Fleck (on banjo), Zakir Hussain (on Indian tabla drums), and Edgar
Meyer (on string bass) are virtuosos, each unmatched in his instrumental skill.
Together, they form a powerhouse trio, blending classical, bluegrass, and world
music in a captivating evening of genre bending and musical wizardry. The Los
Angeles Times raves that Fleck, Hussain, and Meyer’s innovative combinations of
American roots and Indian classical music “make alchemical gold.”

Tuesday, June 29 8:00pm
$55/$45/$38

John Hiatt with The Combo

Rocker, Bluesman, Wordsmith

Equal parts rocker, bluesman, and wordsmith, John Hiatt has spent more than 30
years on the Americana music scene and now brings to the Auditorium his vibrant
brand of heartland-soaked roots-rock. His songs, known for their finely rendered
details and memorable melodies, have been made famous by artists like Linda
Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan, but hearing Hiatt’s passionate, gravelly
renditions of his own songs (backed by all-star band The Combo) is an extraordinary
experience, not to be missed.

Monday, July 5 8:00pm
$55/$45/$38

Julian Hagen and Friends

Songs of Life and Love

Julian Hagen ( a Washington Island native) has spent a lifetime making music, and it shows—in the wise grain of his voice, in the depth of his lyrics, in the ease of his guitar work, and in the warmth
and grace of his live shows. For this performance, the fourth-generation Washington
Islander will be joined by an incredibly talented backup band (including Eric Lewis,
Lynn Gudmundson, Hanss Christian and Woody Mankowski) as he presents favorites
from his new CD, How Things Change and old gems, all with the distinct flavor of
Door County.

Saturday, July 10 8:00pm
$20/$15

Joan Baez (yes, Joan Baez!)

Musical Force of Nature

Joan Baez is a musical force of nature whose influence on contemporary roots music
is incalculable. The soaring soprano and political passion she unleashed at the 1959
Newport Folk Festival have remained constants on the American folk music scene
ever since, coming to epitomize an entire generation of music. Fifty years later,
Baez’s sense of musical and social integrity has not flagged, making her live
performances more powerful than ever.

Friday, July 16 8:00pm
$65/$55/$48

Los Lobos
Tradition with a Twist

Ever since they began playing music together in their East Los Angeles high school,
the five members of legendary band Los Lobos have blended traditional Mexican folk
music with elements of blues, rockabilly, and jazz to create a sound entirely their
own. Thirty years and three Grammys later, Los Lobos remain as compelling as ever,
staying firmly rooted in tradition even as they find ways to break new and fertile
musical ground.

Friday, July 23 8:00pm

$60/$50/$45

The Machine Performs Pink Floyd (I am definitely going to this!)

Tribute to a Classic

Internationally acclaimed band The Machine travels the world carrying on the legacy
of English rock band Pink Floyd, while at the same time creating a legacy of their
own. The Machine’s knack for recreating Pink Floyd’s music is remarkable (The
Village Voice calls them “dead-on”), and their innovative jamming and elaborate light
displays lend a new, contemporary edge to Pink Floyd’s classic repertoire.

Saturday, July 31 8:00pm
$30/$26/$22

Gaelic Storm

A Modern Celtic Phenomenon

From their modest beginnings as a pub band in California, Gaelic Storm has grown
into an international phenomenon, playing their unique blend of Celtic music to
millions of people in just over ten years. Ever since being featured as the steerage-
class band in the blockbuster film Titanic, Gaelic Storm has wowed fans with their
dynamic live performances, including upbeat vocals, rousing dance tunes, haunting
Celtic ballads, and infectious madcap humor.

Sunday, August 15 8:00pm
$35/$28/$22

Brandi Carlile

A Voice of Fiery Grace

Since releasing her debut album in 2006, Brandi Carlile has been wildly successful in
the U.S. and beyond, winning countless fans with a voice that swings gracefully
between the gentle twang of Patsy Cline and the ragged fire of Janis Joplin. A young
songwriter with lyrical and vocal depth beyond her years, Carlile has collaborated
with musicians like T Bone Burnett, the Indigo Girls, and Elton John, making her one
of the fastest-rising stars on the American folk-rock scene.

Sunday, August 22 8:00pm
$44/$38/$30

Three Redneck Tenors

A Rollicking Musical Adventure

Join Billy Bob, Billy Joe, and Billy Billee as they mix NASCAR with Beethoven, lite
beer with Puccini and even kick up a little dust with “Ave Maria Dixie.” You’ll travel
with our three redneck cousins from their modest beginnings in Paris, Texas (where
they discover that belting out a high C causes pigs to move faster) all the way to
their triumphant debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Sunday, September 5 7:00pm
$40/$33/$28

The Lettermen Christmas

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

This holiday season, the legendary Lettermen will take audiences for a lovely stroll
down memory lane without ever having to go out in the cold! Featuring their
trademark three-part harmonies, The Lettermen will treat listeners to a
heartwarming performance of their biggest hits of the past 40 years, as well an
enchanting array of holiday tunes, new and old.

Friday, November 26 7:00pm
$40/$33/$28

The Landmark in Egg Harbor is offering specials for the weekend (including Karaoke!) as are other lodging places and restaurants.  Mike’s Port Pub and Innlet Motel in Jacksonport is offering a nice special which includes lodging, dinner and drinks on New Years Eve for $175.00 (and no driving!).  Jacksonsport is also serving up a New Years Day breakfast at the fire station before the famous Polar Bear Plunge at noon.  Our friend, JR Jarosh of Jacksonport is the founder and along with his family, has turned the “plunge”  into an annual event that attracts thousands of people each year either as participants or spectators.  It really is a fun Door County event that shouldn’t be missed.  Trust me… we have done the plunge as well as witnessed it and there really is no equal. If you have never done the plunge, it is an invigorating way to start the year… especially after the crazy year we had this past year.

At 1:00 in Egg Harbor, is the Annual New Year’s Day Parade.  I  believe it is the only parade in Wisconsin on New Year’s Day.  It is a fun, quirky parade that is pretty much thrown together in the morning.  We (meaning my family) are in it every year… usually with the same float.  We aren’t original, but we are consistent. Here we are last year in our hot tub float…yes, there is really water in the cherry pallet we are riding in.

Sawyer chicks

Almost all the boutiques and restaurants are open in Egg Harbor for post-holiday sales.  After the parade,  we head to Mojo Rosa’s where Kimmy has complementary hors d’ oeuvres and music.  Our friend and neighbor, Bob Erickson (Door County Realty) celebrates his birthday on January 1 and we help him celebrate at Mojo’s each year.  The day isn’t complete without checking out Egg Harbor’s other haunts, John Henry’s, Casey’s and Shipwrecked.  PS… the new C & C in Fish Creek has reopened under the new name Cooper’s Corner (same owners as Shipwrecked and Peninsula Winery).  More on that later after I scope it out.

My niece Jennifer will turn 21 on New Year’s Day as well. Happy Birthday Jen!

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone and we look forward to a fantastic 2010 in  beautiful Door County!

This is my newest item on my Door County must do list.  You haven’t experienced the real Door County unless you have seen it by air.  I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long.  Give them a call at 920.493.2729 you will be glad you did!

The Bodeans

I think there are still tickets available… it’s going to be a great show.  Hopefully, they will be back again sometime.

All this cool weather makes me want to cook and last night I made my famous “big chicken”.  We get theses huge chickens from our friends Patti and Billy Bley who raise them.  They are around 8 lbs. each which is enough to feed even my whole family.  I usually make mashed potatoes and pan gravy out of the drippings but last night I decided on just scattering the potatoes, onions and carrots around the chicken which makes for an easy supper.  Here is the result…

The "Big Chicken" before...

The "Big Chicken" after

This recipe is fool proof… I also make it on a charcoal grill but it takes a lot longer to cook but the smokey taste is worth it.

THE BIG CHICKEN

1 Large whole chicken

1 head of garlic

1 lemon

1 thyme bundle

Salt & Pepper

1 Large Spanish or sweet onion

1 Cup Chicken stock or broth

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Liberally season the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper or any seasoning of your choice… I use Rotisserie Chicken seasoning  that I picked up at Fleet Farm.  Oil the outside the chicken with vegetable oil and/or butter and liberally season the outside as well.

Cut the lemon and garlic in half and stuff the cavity with the 1/2 lemon, the 1/2 garlic, the thyme bundle, and then the other halves of the garlic and lemon.   Tie the legs and tuck the wings.

Cut up small Yukon Gold potatoes in half, cut up the peeled carrots, and slice the onions into rounds and spread all around the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Add about a cup of chicken stock (so the vegetables don’t burn before the chicken gives off its juices) and cook for and hour and a half or so or until a meat thermometer is at 165 degrees.  During cooking, cover with foil when it gets nice and brown and periodically stir the veggies and baste the bird.  Let sit for at least 15 minutes before carving.  If I make mashed potatoes, I will substitute rutabaga for the Yukon Golds and make a pan gravy (there is no equal to roast chicken pan gravy).  Place the vegetables in a serving dish, carve the bird and serve.  This recipe is easy and once you do all the prep work (particularly if you don’t make the mashed potatoes) once it is in the oven you’re done.  Perfect for guests… everyone loves chicken!

Anyway, watch for my video of Downtown Egg Harbor all dressed up for fall this week.  My granddaughter Adi and I are taking a walk this week to film the decorations and fall colors.  We aren’t near peak yet, so there is a lot of time to see the fall colors in Door County.

Last March, I was fortunate to get the opportunity to be on the “Living with Amy” show (it was LIVE!!) and cook with her.  We had a blast… she said she wanted to have me on again.  I hope so, it was one of the highlights of the spring for me and I have tons of good fall recipes, maybe she would like my Coq Au Vin!  Yeah, that sounds good, think I’ll make it this week.

reading my new favorite mag...

I just picked up the autumn edition of Door County Living… it is now my new favorite magazine.  Door County Living is the sister publication of the Peninsula Pulse a free weekly publication and resource of Door County arts, news and entertainment.  Both publications have tons of interesting articles with info about Door County residents, businesses, characters, restaurants, nature and of course art.  The Pulse is the go-to guide for entertainment in DC.   Coincidentally, both are free… yes, free.  I love free stuff.

Anyway, while I was reading the latest edition of Door County Living I stumbled across an article (The Small School Experience by Gary Jones a Gibraltar teacher) about the three Northern Door Schools… Sevastopol (where our kids attended), Gibraltar (where Mark and I graduated) and Washington Island (there were 6 graduates this year) and low and  behold there was a quote from our son Joe who just graduated from Sevastopol.  Upon further reading,  our older son Josh’s  in-laws were mentioned (A Sea of Orchards) as owners of  Schartner’s Farm Market along with our grandson Jaden.

In the article about Door County golf,  there were three photos of our God son, Ed Strege.  I guess it is just really special to have a nice, glossy magazine that can really get to the heart and soul of Door County.  Like George Bailey said,  it is the citizens that “do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community” … it is nice to read about them as well.

There are probably 6 Door County radio stations but of course I have two favorites.  WDOR owned and operated by Eddie Allen and his son Danny.  We have known Eddie for well over 30 years.  I met him when I worked at the Savings and Loan in Sturgeon Bay and he did the play by play for the Door County League Baseball which he still does to this day.  The radio station is still listened to by many for its local sports, news and interviews with people regarding current events.  Deloris Allen, Eddie’s mom used to read a new recipe everyday…   many which I still have.  At Christmas time, The Cinnamon Bear story was told bit by bit each day for the children after school.

While WDOR will always be a favorite, as far as music goes, I would have to go with 106.9 The Lodge.   I love it.  Good music,  local artists on Wednesday nights at nine and best of all… no “opinions” from the owners or anyone else for that matter.  They also don’t read the police report… another bonus.  They play tons of Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet.  It is not a “classic” station or a pop station but a combination of really great music, some old some new.  Our daughter Emilie’s friend Chrystal Kugle is a DJ on the weekends.  She is a communications major at UW-Milwaukee.  One of  The Lodge slogans goes something like no sports, no shopping shows or court reports.  Now that is music to my ears.

In my honorable mention catagory I would have to mention WSRG 97.7 The Big Dawg… my kids are all a huge fan of this station and its music.  While I am not a big country fan I am probably in the minority in Door County.

At any rate publications or music… Door County rocks!

After dinner we checked out Double Delites (just down the road) for some Italian ice cream otherwise known as Gelato.  The owners Julie and Jeff Perley hand make the gelato and gourmet popcorn right in their store.  (Jeff is the brother of one of the Trio owners, Ron Perley.)  During the summer, Mark talks our niece Annie (who works for us) into running down to buy herself some Gelato… as long as she bring some back for him!  Double Delites also ships their popcorn which would make a perfect Door County gift!

Trio and Double Delites make for a perfect Italian evening… Egg Harbor style.

P.S.  One more super cool thing about Dovetail Gallery are their Copper Sprinklers… and seriously folks a DINOSAUR EGG… owned by Steven Spielberg!  This place is definitely on the Door County to-do list!

Egg Harbor has tons of boutiques and quaint little stores… stay tuned and check them out with us!

And for some unknown reason you aren’t familiar with the folk/ soul music icon,  I have included a clip of Richie from his 1969 Woodstock performance…  And in all honesty, in 1969 I was only ten years old and living in Cary, Illinois so when everyone was talking about Woodstock,  I thought they were talking about a nearby town…crazy kid.

Should be a record crowd… see you there!

I took this picture of the owners at our business association dinner a couple of weeks ago…

Vonnie and Dave Callsen and daughter Kaaren and husband Steve Northrop

At least one of the Callsens or Northrops  or most of the time, ALL of the family is in the grocery store working.  They will also try to special order items.  Last year, I had Kaaren look for this “secret” ingredient Mark’s mom uses in her venison stew and of course Kaaren was able to get it for me.  I got a case of the “flavor booster” as it is called so I should be set for awhile.

They have an an equally nice deli department with imported cheeses, hand sliced meats, salads, subs and a lunch special every day. There is a counter and stools next to their bakery so you can get a pastry and coffee and read the paper.

I think one of the nicest things about Main Street Market is their customer service… there is no equal AND they carry out your groceries.  Yes, you heard it right, they carry your groceries out to your car.  This was huge for me when my four kids were young.  The store is the main hub of the village… it is where we get the latest news and visit with our friends particularly in the winter when I head to the store nearly every day just to see civilization.

I for one am glad they moved to Egg Harbor twenty two years ago… they give to back to our community through charities and donate to many of the arts and festivals in Door County.  We also count them as some of our best friends… lucky us.

Dave Schartner

In order to boil the sap, huge amounts of wood are burned in the  “evaporator” as the sap-making contraption is called.  The sugar shack gets hotter than heck, but whom ever is watching over the process cannot leave the shed in fear of burning the sap.  If that happens the entire operation  has to be shut down and the evaporator cleaned which is a complete pain in the neck- not to mention the loss of time and money.  The syrup is strained a total of three times  before it is bottled.  The syrup is then sold at Schartner’s Farm Market.   I’ll tell you first hand it will  make you want to get home and throw an Eggo into the toaster.

…

Last night was my first time watching the show or even seeing Eli Mattson, although I have heard his song Baby Doll on a local radio station and I have to say I am a fan.  The TV show itself was excruciating to watch with its “Tap Dancin’ Dads”, a guy who eats fire, a couple of transvestite singers and a four year old little girl who probably should have been home in bed.  But watch it I did…. all two hours of it.  It was worth it.  This kid can really sing and play the piano.  I am ashamed I didn’t take the time to see him this summer.  So take the time to watch and vote for what could be Door County’s newest celebrity.