Museum of Broken Relationships: Loves lost, insight found
What becomes of the broken-hearted? Motown singer Jimmy Ruffin turned a song by that name into an R&B hit one-half century ago, and musicians of […]
Articles by Mary Bergin
Upper Michigan snowmobile museum dwells on history
The last time I talked to Charlie Vallier, he was hoping for a snowstorm. The longtime snowmobile collector knows it’s good for his hobby and […]
Native American cuisine: potential exists for sophisticated offerings
In my “in” box is no shortage of annual predictions that involve food trends. Native American ingredients, recipes and culinary traditions never seem to make […]
In stitches: Popularity of quilting extends to Millennials too
Quilts cocoon us during winter’s harshest nights, but warmth is only one way to define their value. Homespun quilts cloak us with deep memories of […]
‘Holy Rover’ finds value in spiritual pilgrimage, near and far away
With the new year comes motivation to begin anew, perhaps with hope for significant change that starts with a public resolution or private vow. Maybe […]
Take Ten: delectable diversions in dining
A meal is worth remembering because of the good company, exquisite taste, price, quantity, artistic flair or unexpected offerings. Splendid settings turn the ordinary into […]
Take Ten: the year’s lovely lodging
I rest my head on dozens of beds besides my own every year and check out many other properties without staying overnight. What catches my […]
Nassau: sites beyond the Straw Market
Some changes happen on purpose, and some are by accident. That was my takeaway when recently revisiting Nassau, 27 years after getting acquainted during a […]
Chicago exhibit takes “SNL” fans behind the scenes
Matt Foley. The Church Lady. Wayne and Garth. Wild and Crazy Guys. Debbie Downer. Mary Katherine Gallagher. Longtime fans of “Saturday Night Live” know these […]
Downtown Dough: thousands of cookie cutters
Smart cookies. Patrick and Patricia Niles, owners of Downtown Dough in Cedarburg, have a good recipe for separating what they do from other kitchen boutiques, […]
The Maker Movement: DIYers to God and inbetween
The word “maker” applies to everybody from bakers to welders, sculptors to knitters, DIYers to God. They toil or tinker all year, but the holiday […]
Spy-themed SafeHouse opens in Chicago
Two blocks west of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, a red door with understated signage is our introduction to international espionage. Plus lunch. What we step into […]